Sorghum 101: Why Ancient Grains Rock

We’re all about being health-conscious and sustainable here at Ka-Pop! That’s why we swear by jam-packing our products with delicious ancient grains you can feel good about munching on. If you are unfamiliar with ancient grains, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Let’s talk about ancient grains, and our favorite Super Grain, sorghum. 

What are Ancient Grains? 

Before we get into how much we love sorghum, it’s important to understand what ancient grains are. The Whole Grains Council defines ancient grains as ‘grains that have been essentially unchanged over the last several hundred years.” 

Typically, the modern grains found in products have been genetically modified to maximize flavor and crop yield. Through this process, they lose most of the nutritional value they once had 

In fact, did you know that modern corn is now 40% sugar?  

On the other hand, ancient grains have stayed in their original form with no crossbreeding, genetic modification, or hybridization. Common ancient grains include:

• Amaranth 
• Barley 
• Buckwheat
• Blue Corn
• Sorghum 
• Quinoa 

Since they haven’t been tampered with, ancient grains are full of healthy nutrients. While each grain will have different specific nutrients, they’re all packed with: 

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Protein
• Fiber
• Antioxidants 

It should be no surprise that ancient grains are good for you AND the planet. At Ka-Pop! We swear by locally sourced sorghum for our snacks.  

What is Sorghum?

If you’re wondering what sorghum is, don’t worry! We’ve got an answer. Sorghum is a type of grass that grows a cereal grain that is harvested. It’s small and round and grows on the stalks of the grass. Think about sorghum as being similar to wheat or oats but a more natural version. 

Sorghum originated in northeastern Africa and, throughout its lifetime, has adapted to growing in a wide range of environments. Benjamin Franklin brought Sorghum to the US in 1757, and it has grown here ever since. As a result, the US is now the largest sorghum producer, with 373 million bushels being produced in 2020!

Sorghum is high in protein, rich in antioxidants, and naturally gluten-free. As a result, sorghum tastes great and can mimic the deliciousness of gluten without actually having any in it. Sometimes you’ll hear it referred to as the next quinoa, but we think it’s better than that. 

What are the Benefits of Sorghum?

Sorghum Sustainable 

This delicious ancient grain is one of the most efficient crops when it comes to the conversion of solar energy and the use of water. Sorghum is also high energy and drought tolerant, making it incredibly sustainable. 

Sorghum also reduces erosion, builds biodiversity, and sequesters carbon. With deep roots that stay underground after harvesting, sorghum is part of the battle against climate change, too! In fact, 90% of sorghum acreage doesn’t need irrigation. Snacks made with sorghum (like Ka-Pop!) are snacks you can feel good about munching. 

Sorghum is Nutritious 

Sorghum is highly nutritious. Not only is it high in fiber and protein, but it also includes the following: 

• B Vitamins 
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorous
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Zinc

It’s Naturally Gluten-Free!

One of the things we love about sorghum is that it’s naturally gluten-free. When you’re on a gluten-free diet, it can be hard to find products that mimic gluten and sorghum can! 

Ka-Pop! Loves Sorghum! 

At Ka-Pop! we never forget our true snack mission always to be tasty, fresh, and satisfying. That’s why we’ve partnered with local farms to source sorghum to put into our delicious snacks! With a delicious, slightly nuttier taste, our snacks are where fun and nutrition collide. So, check out our website and try something new (and healthy) today!