Technology

As a natural product, grain is subject to natural fluctuations in quality, which is why state-of-the-art milling technology is crucial for the best organic flour. The most important steps in an organic mill for quality control are analyzing, separating and mixing the suitable grain batches. The use of enzymatic and other technical flour treatment agents is taboo for our organic premium flours. 

Right at the beginning of the production process, a fully enclosed receiving station with a special separation silo regulates the grain intake. Extensive external residue analyses and the in-house laboratory examine the delivered raw materials according to sensory, physical, chemical and dough rheological aspects. Computer-controlled grinding complements the modern milling technology before grain or organic flours are sent to the customer in bags or on our silo trucks.

Receiving separation silo

Grain reception is a crucial building block for consistent and reliable organic quality. The great challenge is to produce flour from hundreds of grain deliveries of different qualities, which is characterized by consistent quality throughout the entire harvest year. The 30-metre-high receiving separation silo holds around 1,500 tons of organic grain in 48 separate cells covering an area of around 240 square metres.

We continuously invest in new and innovative systems and technologies.

Michael Hiestand, CEO of Meyermühle

Record grain lots

With the silo system, Meyermühle has created the possibility of putting the delivered grain batches through their paces individually before they are stored in the large storage silos. The incoming goods inspection includes extensive analyses for residues and the classic parameters such as wet gluten and falling number. The separate recording of each individual batch of grain also enables more time-consuming quality assessments such as dough rheology and baking tests. It is therefore a further building block for even more consistent flour quality.

Residue tests

Each incoming batch of organic grain is analyzed for over 550 substances using the multi-method (pesticide screening GC/LC method and LC MS/MS method) by an accredited analytical laboratory. Compared to the DFG S 19 method, this enables a broad spectrum of analysis with very low limits of quantification. Each silo filling (organic wheat, organic spelt, organic rye) is analyzed for chlormequat, mepiquat and the Fusarium toxin DON. Regular participation in the European Grain Monitoring Program of the German Grain, Milling and Starch Industry Association supplements the analyses. Extensive tests are carried out for heavy metals, microbiology and mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2; ochratoxin A; zearalenone).

Overview

  • Pesticide screening GC/LC method and LC MS/MS method for over 550 substances
  • Organic wheat, organic spelt and organic rye for chlormequat, mepiquat and the Fusarium toxin DON
  • each incoming batch of organic wheat for the Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) using ELISA
  • regular pollutant monitoring with tests for heavy metals, microbiology and mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2; ochratoxin A; zearalenone)

Computer-controlled processing

All desired flour types are produced from basic flours using the grain codes or customer and recipe numbers. The control processes are carried out by the miller using a special computer system. In this way, professional blends and individual organic flours of consistent quality can be designed specifically for each customer, according to the customer's specifications and with in-depth production advice from Meyermühle.

Warehouse and delivery

Our organic flours are available in bags and in bulk. The delivery of bagged and loose goods is carried out by our own fleet of vehicles. The silo trucks can simultaneously deliver various bulk goods such as organic cereals and organic flours with different compartments. To ensure an above-average quality standard, magnetic filters are used in all silo trucks to check for foreign bodies, in addition to the installed blow-out sieves. The permanent magnets inside the pipes generate a very strong magnetic field, which filters out unwanted metal particles if necessary.