Darren Yungmann

Darren Yungmann

Canary Seed

Diversifying food grains Darren Yungmann, a Saskatchewan grain farmer, is trying to show more Canadians the value of canary seed — a specialty grain commonly consumed abroad, but one still relatively unknown in Canada. Canary seed (also called alpiste) is a nutritious, highprotein specialty grain. Originating from the Canary Islands, the crop is used both as bird feed as well as an ingredient in health food products. Canada is the world’s largest producer of canary seed. Most of it is exported to countries such as Mexico, the United States, Belgium, and Spain, but its popularity for Canadian food products has remained comparatively small. “Seven years ago, canary seed was approved as a food product in Canada. It was one of the first new food products registered for a long time,” says Yungmann. “It’s one of the highest protein grain crops, has a healthy oil profile, and also doesn’t contain gluten. There’s a tremendous amount of potential.” Through the Saskatchewan Canary Seed Development Commission, Yungmann and other farmers and researchers are trying to develop new domestic markets for canary seed, as well as new varieties of the crop. One of the research projects being supported by the Development Commission, for example, focuses on creating canary seed varieties that produce a brighter, more yellow colour. “Canary seed has a nice flavour, and an interesting and nutty texture,” says Yungmann. “Yellow flour would probably make a better-looking product, compared to the more brown flour from our current varieties.”