Using ancient grains is the latest trend in food manufacture, according to a recent report.

Packaged food and beverage markets are seeing "a growing influx of new products featuring grains that were favoured by civilisations thousands of years ago" according to research firm Datamonitor. Its Productscan Online database of new food and beverage products shows the use of ancient grains has doubled since 2005.

According to Datamonitor, 515 new food and beverage products were introduced worldwide in 2007 featuring grains such as quinoa, spelt, kamut, amaranth and chia. This represents a doubling of the 257 new products featuring these grains in 2005.