pioneers chewed wheat kernels

[Guest guest]

My children were reading in a book about how the early American pioneers would

chew wheat kernels as they threshed. This would turn into a " gum " in their

mouths as they chewed and worked. They suggested to me that this would be a

healthy kind of bubble gum, an alternative. My mind of course went straight to

the phytates. But then I thought, they probably would tire of the whole idea

pretty quickly....but if they don't......do you think saliva would work as a

soaking medium???

Sonja