Bulgur

What is Bulgur?

Bulgur is a wheat-based grain product found in many staple dishes across the Mediterranean. It's commonly sold in many supermarkets as a nutritious and versatile ingredient widely used in salads, stews, and pilafs. Bulgur is made by taking whole wheat kernels, boiling them, drying them, and then grinding them into particles.

The Bulgur Creation Process

The process of making bulgur starts with hand-harvesting mature wheat in late summer or early fall. During this process, the heads of wheat are cut from the stalks, combining the healthy grains with some of the seed’s hull.

Wheat cleaning is the next step in the bulgur creation journey. This step is critical for comprehensive removal of unwanted elements such as sticks and stones. Cleaning is done using machines with special compartments which pull unwanted items away from the wheat.

After cleaning, the wheat is then placed in water. This process is known as de-hulling, allowing the seed’s hull to separate from the grain. After de-hulling, the seed’s hull and germ are removed completely, leaving behind the smaller wheat kernels which will be used to make bulgur.

Parboiling is the next process that the wheat kernels go through, which involves cooking them in water before drying. This process not only destroys many of the spoilage microorganisms, it also helps to remove some of the protein-starch gel created during cooking.

Once the wheat kernels have been parboiled, the next step is to dry them. This is done either by a machine called a “dehydrator” or by sun-drying. The drying process ensures that the wheat kernels are free of moisture which helps to extend their shelf-life.

After drying, the wheat kernels are ground into small, uniform pieces. This is an important step as the size and shape of the bulgur pieces need to be uniform in order for them to be used in cooking.

The final step in the bulgur creation process is sorting. In this step, the bulgur pieces are sorted according to their size, with the smallest pieces being used for cooking, and larger pieces being used for salads and other dishes.

Transportation of Bulgur to Dinner Plates

Once the bulgur has been created and sorted, it’s time to get it to the dinner plate. This process involves a combination of transportation methods and storage facilities.

When bulgur is being transported from the producer to the consumer, it needs to be packed into suitable storage containers. Often this will be in the form of bulk bags or cardboard boxes. It is important that the bulgur is carefully packed so that it is kept safe from the elements and does not become damaged or contaminated during the journey.

Once the bulgur has been packed, it then needs to be transported to the consumer. This is usually done using a dedicated fleet of vehicles (such as trucks or boats) or via public transportation (such as the rail network). Depending on the distance and transport method, the bulgur may be stored in temperature-controlled coolers to keep it safe and fresh.

Once the bulgur reaches its destination, it will be stored in either warehouses or in retail outlets. Warehouses are important for keeping bulgur fresh and safe from contamination. Retail outlets also allow consumers to buy bulgur straight from the shop and take it home for use in their own cooking.

Finally, when it’s time for the bulgur to be used, the consumer can take it home and cook it up for a delicious meal. Depending on the dish, the bulgur will need to be cooked in a variety of different ways. It can be boiled, steamed, baked, fried, or roasted. Bulgur can also be cooked with a combination of typical Mediterranean herbs and spices to create a flavourful side or main dish.

Conclusion

Bulgur is a nutritious and popular ingredient found in many Mediterranean dishes. It is made using several steps, starting with hand-harvesting mature wheat, cleaning, de-hulling, parboiling, drying, grinding, and sorting. Once it is ready, it is then transported to consumers via a network of storage facilities and transportation vehicles. Finally, consumers can take the bulgur home and cook it up for a delicious and nutrient-rich meal.