Bulgur wheat is a cracked wheat product that is partially cooked and then dried. It is a staple ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, known for its quick cooking time and rich nutritional value. It is particularly valued for its versatility and slightly nutty flavor, making it a perfect addition to salads, soups, and other dishes.

Nutritional Profile (per 100 grams):

Calories Approximately 342 kcal.

Protein About 12.3 grams, providing a significant amount of plant-based protein.

Fat About 1.3 grams, very low in fat.

Carbohydrates About 76 grams, primarily in the form of starch.

Fiber About 18 grams, a very high content that helps promote digestion and prolong the feeling of satiety.

Vitamins and Minerals Rich in B vitamins, manganese, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus, providing a complete range of essential nutrients.

Bulgur wheat is particularly valued for its high fiber content, which can help improve digestive health (1) and regulate blood sugar levels. It also provides a sustained source of energy and supports heart health due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Considerations:

Culinary Use Versatile and quick to prepare, it can be used in salads, like tabbouleh, in soups, stews, or as a base for hot and cold dishes.

Health Benefits Supports digestion, cardiovascular health, and helps with weight management thanks to its high fiber content (2).

Storage Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve freshness and quality.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Dorra ST, Farah D, Nesrine H, Wafa A, Youkabed Z. Drying Behavior of Bulgur and Its Effect on Phytochemical Content. Foods. 2022 Apr 6;11(7):1062. doi: 10.3390/foods11071062. PMID: 35407147; PMCID: PMC8997585.

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of two types of dryers (hot air oven and vacuum dryer) and the yellow berry percentage (1.75%, 36.25%, 43.25%) on the drying process and phytochemical content of bulgur. Results showed that the Midilli model successfully described the moisture diffusion during drying at 60 °C in all bulgur samples, where an increase in yellow berry percentage generated an increase in moisture content. Effective diffusion coefficient (Deff) increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from 7.05 × 10-11 to 7.82 × 10-11 (m2.s-1) and from 7.73 × 10-11 to 7.82 × 10-11 (m2.s-1) for the hot air oven and vacuum dryer, respectively. However, it decreased significantly with a decrease of yellow berry percentage. It was concluded that the vacuum dryer provided faster and more effective drying than the hot air oven. Total polyphenol (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), and yellow pigment contents (YPC) of bulgur were investigated. TPC ranged between 0.54 and 0.64 (mg GAE/g dm); TFC varied from 0.48 to 0.61 (mg QE/g dm). The YPC was found to be between 0.066 and 0.079 (mg ß-carotene/100g dm). Yellow berry percentage positively and significantly affected the TPC, TFC, and YPC contents due to the hard separation of the outer layers from the starchy grain during the debranning step.

(2) Tacer Caba Z, Boyacioglu MH, Boyacioglu D. Bioactive healthy components of bulgur. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2012 Mar;63(2):250-6. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2011.639748. 

Abstract. Bulgur has been one of the most important traditional Durum wheat products in Turkey and Middle Eastern countries for ages. The objective of this study was to reveal the composition of some healthy components of industrial bulgur samples produced in Turkey. Total starch, resistant starch, dietary fibre and total phenolic contents and their high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile and antioxidant capacity of bulgur samples using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity methods were investigated. The results showed that total dietary fibre ranged between 5.8 ± 0.7 and 8.2 ± 0.7% and resistant starch between 2.1 ± 0.2 and 2.8 ± 0.2%. Moreover, phenolic content with an average of 59.5 ± 5.2 mg Gallic acid/100 g dry matter and a moderate level of antioxidant capacity with an average of 22.2 ± 2.4% DPPH scavenging activity and 563.3 ± 60.7 μmol Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity/100 g dry matter of ABTS scavenging activity add value to the health benefits of bulgur product.