What is buckwheat - a cereal, cereal or grain?
Buckwheat began to be cultivated about 5 thousand years ago in eastern countries. In Rus' they learned about it in the 7th century, and in Europe - in the 15th century. The Slavic name “Greek grain” appeared due to the fact that, according to one version, Greek monks at monasteries were the first to cultivate the plant. Having abandoned the cultivation of buckwheat in the 20th century, modern Europeans have again shown interest in it, as to an extremely useful product.
In the article we will figure out whether buckwheat is a cereal or a grain, and what grain it is obtained from.
Is buckwheat a grain or not?
Buckwheat is not a cereal, but its seeds are eaten by people, birds, and animals. Despite the fact that buckwheat is not a cereal, it is classified in this section due to the great similarity in the use of these products.
From seed buckwheat it is obtained:
They also produce buckwheat flour. It is widely used in the preparation of healthy dishes, but in terms of dough properties it is much inferior to wheat or rye due to the lack of gluten.
Why is the comparison incorrect?
Cereals are characterized by the following characteristics::
- straw-shaped stem;
- leaves are long, narrow;
- inflorescence - ear;
- the fruit is a grain.
Cereals include wheat, rye, millet, oats, rice.
Common buckwheat belongs to the buckwheat family of the same name. This is a herbaceous and melliferous plant.The type is a pseudograin cereal; it also includes amaranth, quinoa and other similar crops.
Buckwheat has the following symptoms:
- stem branched, slightly ribbed;
- heart-shaped leaves;
- inflorescences of 3-5 small flowers;
- fruit - seed.
The plant is closely related to rhubarb, sorrel. It cannot be compared with cereals, because, according to scientific classification, buckwheats are classified as dicotyledons, and cereals are classified as monocotyledons. Buckwheat is a grain, but not a cereal, but a buckwheat product.
What grain crops does it belong to?
Buckwheat (the plant from which buckwheat is obtained) is not a grain crop, it is included in the group of pseudograins, like sesame, quinoa, and quinoa. These plants are cultivated to produce grains that are eaten. Their seeds are used in the same way as grain - they produce cereals, make flour.
Buckwheat, like other pseudocereals, is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber And minerals. Carbohydrates are slowly absorbed and provide a feeling of fullness for a long time, and plant fibers, of which there are 10% in buckwheat fruits, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Pseudograins are also good because they can diversify the diet of people suffering from celiac disease - intolerance to gluten (gluten).
Reference. Due to the fact that buckwheat is a grass, it has not yet been possible to obtain a genetically modified product. The demand for buckwheat is growing, and in agriculture the crop is in demand as a plant that expands the range of cereal producers.
What grain is buckwheat made from?
Buckwheat grains are shaped like beech nuts, common in Europe. That is why in some countries the crop is called “beech wheat”.Obtaining buckwheat is a labor-intensive process, which is why the price of the product is traditionally higher than other healthy cereals.
Raw (green) buckwheat is peeled and shelled, removing the shell. The grains undergo hydrothermal treatment, which improves technological properties. As a result, the strength of the core and the fragility of the shell increases. The cereal acquires a spicy nutty taste and a beautiful golden brown hue. The largest grains are used to produce kernels, which are divided into several varieties. Smolensk groats, prodel and flour are made from the remains.
Reference. Green unprocessed buckwheat is considered a dietary product. Without thermal exposure, a huge amount of antioxidants, amino acids and microelements are stored in the kernels. The most useful is not boiled, but soaked or sprouted green buckwheat.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that buckwheat is used to produce cereal, it is not a cereal plant. The crop belongs to the group of pseudocereals, the fruits of which are not inferior to grain in their beneficial properties. Cereals are a class of monocots, while buckwheat is a dicotyledon. Buckwheat kernels undergo complex and lengthy processing before they become cereal and end up on store shelves.