"It's better with buckwheat!"

Birkett Mills' Puritan Buckwheat Pan Cake Mix
Originally uploaded by michelle1975.

At this point in time I think it's safe to say that we're in love with Birkett Mills. We loved the town of Penn Yan, NY, the town that Birkett Mills calls home. We loved the old mill buildings there, the massive griddle that graces the side of the main building, and the story of Birkett Mills' brief reign as the manufacturer of the world's largest pancake. We love their packaging. We love their Bessie brand Unbleached Pastry Flour and the fantastic crusts it produces [more on this later]. And after this morning's buckwheat pancake feast, it's official, we love Birkett Mills' Puritan Self-Raising Buckwheat Pan Cakes mix, too.

Open up Birkett Mills' Retail Product Catalog and you'll find a two-page spread on "Buckwheat's Best-Kept Secrets." These include "two-pronged protection" against cancer, anti-cholesterol and antioxidant qualities, its status as "the best know grain source of high-quality protein," and its powers as an aid to digestion. Later on in the booklet there's a short capsule on Mark Twain and his disappointment with European cuisine during his 1878 tour, all because--you guessed it!--he "couldn't find the one American staple his homesick taste buds hankered for most...BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES!"

fresh buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup
Originally uploaded by michelle1975.

All you really need to know is that Birkett Mills' Puritan Self-Raising Buckwheat Pan Cakes mix is the very best pancake mix (of any kind) we've ever come across, and it's produces one of the very best pancakes I've ever had. I love buckwheat pancakes, but, let's face it, a good buckwheat pancake is about as hard to find as a good pancake, probably even harder. All we had to do was mix 3/4 cup of water with 1 cup of the pancake mix, then "bake" them in a medium-hot pan, and minutes later we had the lightest, most delicious buckwheat pancakes I've ever had. Perfect with maple syrup.

all the ingredients that are fit to print
Originally uploaded by michelle1975.

The secret is Birkett Mills' "Pure Stone Ground Old-Fashioned Buckwheat Flour," their perfectly balanced ingredients, and the fact that there's no unnecessary additives. And remember, Birkett Mills has been around since 1797; they've had the time to get their formulas just right.

another satisfied customer
Originally uploaded by michelle1975.

Birkett Mills' Puritan Self-Raising Buckwheat Pan Cakes mix even passed the toughest test of all: our man Ivan. That's right, they're kid-approved, too. Ivan absolutely loved them. He loved them so much that after he finished his last pancake I thought he might just keep going and knock off his plate, too, just to make sure he got ever last remaining fleck of pancake.

Birkett Mills' Puritan Self-Raising Pan Cakes mix retails for $2.40 for a 2 lb. bag, and $4.45 for a 4 lb. bag (both prices U.S.). Birkett Mills also manufactures "Wolff's" brand kasha products, "Pocono, Heart of Buckwheat" brand 100% buckwheat products, The Birkett Mills Buckwheat Cookbook, "Multex" brand Buckwheat Hull Mulch for your garden, and All Natural Buckwheat Hull Pillows for your bed.

You can contact them via:
1) mail: The Birkett Mills, P.O. Box 440, Penn Yan, NY 14527
2) phone: (315) 536-3311
3) fax: (315) 536-6740
4) internet: www.thebirkettmills.com

aj