From Grain To Table

The Cottage Mill

Milling your own flour is a heritage kitchen skill that gives you the freedom to create fresh, nourishing flour blends right in your own kitchen.

I’m sharing over 25 years of experience to help you learn the whys, hows, and whens of freshly milled flour—so you can mill and bake with confidence from grain to table.

Let’s begin your milling journey.

This was one of the most helpful and informative sites I’ve found on using freshly milled flour in baking. Thank you Emily

~ Tammy (Pinterest)

Hands holding golden wheat berries above a glass jar labeled hard white wheat.

Start Here: The Beginner’s Guide to Freshly Milled Flour

Your Grain to Table Journey Starts Here

If your new to milling, this is the perfect place to begin. I’ve gathered everything you need to from choosing your grains to finding the right mill, mixer, and even a bigginer-friendly whole wheat bread recipe. Learn the how to mill and bake your first loaf with confidence. This guide was created to help you begin with clarity, ease, and joy.

Read The Guide
Side view of woman using a wooden grain mill to grind wheat berries into flour, standing in a bright kitchen with a bowl of flour on the counter.

A Cottage Miller’s Note

Hi, I’m Emily Rider — welcome to The Cottage Mill, part of The Modern Day Cottage.

For over two decades, I’ve been milling fresh flour and baking sourdough, carring on a heritage skill passed through the hands of my grandmother, great-grandmother, and generations before them. Every loaf, delicate cake, and tray of cookies has deepened my love for this timeless craft.

This cozy space is where I share that experience with you, so you can step into milling with confidence.

Learn mOre about Emily
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Gentle Guides for Your Milling Journey

Think of these guides as stepping stones, carrying you from grain to table one at a time.

01
Wooden grain mill pouring freshly milled flour into a glass bowl with a jar of wheat berries and flowers in the background.
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02
A wooden grain mill grinding flour into a glass bowl on a cozy kitchen counter.
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03
Hands scooping wheat berries from a glass storage jar.
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04
Hands holding wheat berries over a glass jar labeled hard white wheat, with text overlay about best places to buy wheat berries and whole grains.
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05
Three jars filled with oat groats, spelt, and rye.
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06
Glass jar labeled hard red wheat filled with freshly milled flour beside a wooden bowl, scoop, and dried wheat stalks, showing how to store flour short and long term in a cozy kitchen
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07
Wooden grain mill grinding flour into a glass bowl with text overlay reading how to make all-purpose flour from freshly milled flour.
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08
Wooden grain mill and bowl of flour on a warm autumn kitchen table with candles and checkered napkin, demonstrating how to make self-rising flour from freshly milled grains.
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09
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11
Two floral plates filled with wheat berries and freshly milled flour on a lace tablecloth with wheat stalks, showing the process of making bread flour from freshly milled grains.
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12
Freshly milled flour pouring from a wooden grain mill into a glass bowl on a cozy cottage countertop surrounded by candles and kitchen linens.”
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13
Vintage cottage kitchen scene with bowls of wheat berries and freshly ground flour on lace doilies and wooden boards, showing how to convert recipes for freshly milled flour.
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15
Golden loaf of homemade sourdough bread baked with freshly milled flour, resting on a soft linen cloth beside dried wheat stalks in a cozy cottage kitchen.
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Freshly Milled Flour Recipes

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Stone Mill & Everyday Milling Tools


When I finally invested in a stone mill, everything about my milling rhythm changed. Quiet, steady, and built for daily use, a stone mill allows you to mill on demand—flour to proridge and everything in between that is fresh, alive, and ready for whatever you’re baking.

The Mockmill Pro 200, and the Ankrarsrum mixer are my most loved companions in the kitchen, the tools that has turned milling from a task into a pure joy. When freshly milled flour becomes part of your daily rhythm, I truly feel a good stone mill & mixer are two of the most worthwhile investments.

A wooden flour mill with a wide wooden hopper on top.

Mockmill Pro 200

BUY the MOCK MILL
Stainless flour sifters lined up for home grain grinding.

Electric Sifter

BUY ELECTRIC SIFTER
White dough mixer for kneading bread with freshly milled flour.

Ankarsrum Mixer

BUY the ANKARSRUM
Black bread machine on kitchen counter for home baking.

Bread Machine

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Practical Tools to Begin With

Every miller’s journey begins somewhere. These are the tools I first started with—and many of them I still keep in my kitchen today.

The WonderMill, KitchenAid, and manual sifters are reliable companions that can help you learn the rhythm of milling without overcomplicating the process. They’re approachable, steady, and a wonderful way to begin building confidence with fresh flour.

The WonderMill

Buy the Wondermill
Pink stand mixer with stainless bowl ready for mixing dough.

KitchenAid

Buy the KitchenAid
two manual sifters sitting on a marble countertop

Manual Sieves #40-#60

Buy the Sieves

Whole Grains & More

Good flour begins with good grain. Choosing wheat berries and whole grains from trusted sources ensures your flour is full of flavor, nutrition, and life.

Over the years, I’ve come to rely on a handful of growers and suppliers whose grains I trust in my own kitchen. These are the wheats, ryes, and other grains that I return to season after season, knowing they will nourish both the bread I bake and the people I share it with.

Three brown paper bags of organic wheat berries from Azure Market, labeled Hard Red Wheat, Soft White Wheat, and Hard White Wheat, displayed on a kitchen counter with dried wheat stalks in front and copper kitchen utensils hanging in the background.

Azure Standard
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Bread Beckers
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Guardian Grains wheat berries packaged in clear brown vacuum-sealed bags labeled ‘Nutrition You Can See,’ featuring transparent windows and a clean white background — perfect for showcasing quality whole grains.

Guardian Grains
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A wooden flour mill dispensing freshly ground flour into a glass bowl in a cozy kitchen with copper utensils.

The Modern Day Cotttage Amazon Shop
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Have questions? You’re not alone. Here are some FAQ’s to help you along.

FAQ

Many people start by checking local farms, co-ops, or natural food stores. Trusted online suppliers are also a reliable option. We’ve gathered a list of our favorite sources in: Best Places to Buy Wheat Berries & Whole Grains .

Yes. Fresh flour has a fuller, more complex flavor because it retains the germ and bran, which contribute natural oils and depth. Depending on the grain, the taste can be nutty, earthy, or even slightly sweet. Many bakers notice that breads and pastries made with fresh flour feel more satisfying and flavorful than those made with refined flour.

Store wheat berries and whole grains in airtight containers, kept in a cool, dry, and dark place to preserve freshness. For everyday use, jars or buckets in the pantry work well, while long-term storage calls for Mylar bags or sealed food-grade buckets with oxygen absorbers. You can read more details on: How To Store Wheat Berries for Long & Short Term.

Yes, though it behaves a little differently than all-purpose flour. Freshly milled flour tends to be more absorbent, which can change the texture of doughs and batters. Small adjustments make a big difference, and we’ve shared some simple ways to adapt your favorite recipes in this guide: How to Bake with Freshly Milled Flour | Tips & Recipes.

Technically, you could try other methods, but for consistent results, a grain mill is the easiest way to go. It allows you to mill just the amount you need, whenever you need it. We’ve outlined the most useful tools to keep on hand in: Tools for Milling Flour at Home | Mills, Mixer, & More.

Fresh milled flour is flour ground directly from whole grains right before you bake. Because it keeps the bran, germ, and natural oils, it’s richer in both nutrition and flavor than flour that’s been sitting on a store shelf. If you’re curious about the process and how to get started, you might enjoy our guide: How to Mill Flour at Home | A Beginner’s Guide.

Almost anything—bread, muffins, cookies, tortillas, pizza dough, and even cakes. Each grain you choose will bring its own unique texture and flavor. We’ve gathered some inspiration in: How to Bake with Freshly Milled Flour | Tips & Recipes.

Because it contains natural oils, fresh flour is best used within a day or two for the fullest flavor and nutrition. If you’d like to store it longer, airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer work well. For more guidance on storing your grains properly, read this guide: How To Store Wheat Berries for Long & Short Term.

Freshly milled flour doesn’t just mean bread flour. With the right grains, you can create lighter cake flour, versatile all-purpose flour, or hearty bread flour blends. We share exactly how in:
• How To Make All-Purpose Flour from Freshly Milled Flour
• How To Make Cake & Pastry Flour from Freshly Milled Flour
• How to Make Bread Flour from Freshly Milled Flour

Wheat is the most common, but spelt, einkorn, rye, and other whole grains are wonderful to explore. Each one brings something special to your baking. For ideas, take a look at: Best Whole Grains to Mill for Baking Bread & More.

Sifting is optional, but it can lighten flour by removing some of the bran. Some bakers love the airy feel it brings to cakes and pastries, while others prefer to keep the flour whole. If you’d like to see how to do it and when it’s worth the effort, we explain more in: Sifting Freshly Milled Flour | Why, When & How to Do It.

Yes—fresh flour is excellent for sourdough. Because it’s full of natural nutrients, your starter often becomes more active, and the bread develops deeper flavor. We share more about this process in this guide: How to Bake Sourdough With Freshly Milled Flour | Easy Guide.

Here are some helpful troubleshooting answers for you.

Troubleshooting

Fresh flour absorbs liquid differently than refined flour, which can affect texture. Often, the dough simply needs more hydration or a slightly longer rise. With practice, you’ll learn how your flour behaves.

Whole grain flour is heavier because it contains the bran and germ. This can weigh down the dough a bit compared to white flour. Adjusting rise times and ensuring your yeast or starter is active usually helps.

Because it contains natural oils, fresh flour is more perishable than store-bought. Milling in small batches and storing flour in the refrigerator or freezer helps extend freshness.

Whole grain flour absorbs more liquid than refined flour. Adding a bit more water or fat (like butter or oil) to the recipe usually creates softer results.

Some grains have larger or tougher bran pieces that don’t pass through fine sieves. Try a slightly coarser sieve or leave more bran in for a heartier bake.

Fresh flour often creates a denser, more rustic crumb. This isn’t a mistake—it’s simply the character of whole grains. Over time, you’ll learn which recipes work best with different grains.

Sometimes, dough made with fresh milled flour won’t stretch without tearing. This can be due to coarse bran disrupting gluten strands or weaker protein structure. Reducing hydration, adding stretch-and-folds, and giving the dough more time to rest (autolyse) can help the gluten develop more effectively. Gently sifting out larger bran particles or scaling back whole-grain content slightly can improve extensibility.

This is very common. Fresh milled flour tends to absorb significantly more water than refined flour, and some batches can vary drastically. It’s best to start with a lower hydration and gradually add liquid during mixing—many bakers find that higher hydration (75–80%) plus an autolyse period (letting flour absorb water before mixing) gives better texture without becoming unmanageably sticky.

These are the milling tools I use in my kitchen.

Milling Essentials

  • Sieve Fine Mesh
  • Multi-layer electric flour sifter with brush and sieve accessories, perfect for refining freshly milled flour for lighter baking.
    Sidasu Automatic Vibrating Sieve Shaker
  • WonderMill electric grain mill with flour container, wheat berries, and milled flour—an essential tool for home flour milling.
    Wondermill Grain Mill
  • Digital kitchen scale with a bowl of sliced almonds on top, displaying the weight on the LCD screen.
    Digital Kitchen Scale
  • Copper measuring cups and spoons with wooden handles, displayed with coffee beans and spices, ideal for accurate and beautiful baking prep.
    Copper Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons

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    I hope this page has been a helpful companion on your flour journey

    If it educated or inspired you, I’d love for you to share, comment, or connect—I truly appreciate you sharing, commenting, and connecting this guide with others.

    @themoderndaycottage Leave a Comment @themoderndaycottage

    Thank you for spending time with me here at The Modern Day Cottage. My hope is that each guide helps you mill and bake with more confidence. May your jars be ever full, and your loaves rise high.
    With love & gratitude,
    Emily

    Close-up of a woman in a peach blouse smiling and leaning against a kitchen counter, with fresh flour and wheat berries visible beside her.

    Emily Rider

    Cottage lifestyle blogger and home miller with 25+ years of sourdough and fresh-milled flour experience.
    Sharing cozy homemade recipes that help you bake with confidence, celebrate each season, and savor the beauty of everyday cottage living.

    About Me