How fresh is fresh

Fresh food sounds great, but what defines fresh food? Along the lines of freshly milled bread, I ate freshly rolled oats, and there is a taste difference. I wish I could say I felt energized as I did with fresh bread, but that experiment will have to come later. However, the taste is enough to say that fresh food has new meaning. The convenience of processed food is ironic, almost oxymoronic, if you care about taste and nutrition.

If you are ever in a fresh grain store, try this taste test. Eat a few freshly rolled oats, then compare with any store bought rolled oats. Fresh oats will have its natural oils, whereas processed oats are stripped of those oils. Removing the oils does two things for convenience: 1) allows for an indefinite shelf life; 2) reduces rancid odor. However, the net effect for me is the need to mask the flavor by adding sugar. I would eat fresh oatmeal without sugar, but that is just me. I could still flavor it however I want, but at least I do not need to start with sugar.

Besides taste, there is the convenience factor to consider. Processed rolled oats can go for less than $1/lb in any quantity. Bulk fresh oats (50 lbs) are about $1/lb, plus you will need an oat roller. If you are interested in milling flour, you might as well get a machine with both mill and roller. You might just redefine fresh food for yourself.