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They are called generically cereals everybody tothat vegetables that produce edible grains, and also their grains. These grains are usually the raw material with which flours are made, but also are consumed as such, representing in one way or another a very important part of the human diet and the main source of carbohydrates that covers the energy needs of people.
The cereals they have accompanied the human being from very remote times; It could be said that since the nomadic way of life, characterized by the individual hunter-gatherer, was abandoned to live in sedentary communities that cultivated the land to produce food, man has cultivated cereals and used them in different ways.
Already in the Ancient Egypt began to cultivate wheat, one of the great cereals of today.
Examples of cereals
- Rice
- Barley
- Rye
- Corn
- Wheat
- Birdseed
- Sorghum
- Son
- Triticale
- Burgundy wheat
- Rolled oats
- Spelt
- Kamut
Types of cereals
There are numerous cereals, each adapted to different climatic conditions, so that practically in all latitudes it is possible to grow at least some type of cereal:
- The wheat, the barley and the oats, for example, they prefer temperate climates and they are widely cultivated in Europe.
- The rice or the corn require warmer climates, that is why they are grown in areas closer to the tropics.
- The sorghum is characteristic of Africa.
- The rye grows well in cold areas.
Characteristics of cereals
Botanically cereals correspond to the grass familymonocotyledonous herbaceous plants.
These plants usually have hollow stemsyes, long leaves and rather narrow that tend to hug the stem and the flowers grouped in inflorescences.
These flowers have no petals and the fruits are indehiscent, that is, they do not open when they mature. The grain of a cereal has five parts:
- The embryo or germ
- The endosperm
- The aleurone cloak
- The head
- Pericarp or cover
The calls "fake cerealsAre some vegetables that do not correspond to grasses, but still have remarkable nutritional propertiesTherefore, they have become highly demanded in certain markets, especially in environments where the teachings of indigenous communities regarding food are especially valued.
They are located in this group buckwheat, the quinoa and the amaranth.
Cereals in the diet
The cereals they are very valuable in the human diet why meet caloric demands of individuals to be rich in carbohydrates, but also provide important nutrients as:
- Dietary fiber, so important for proper intestinal function
- Vitamins like E, of outstanding antioxidant capacity, and those of B Group
- Minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium
- Protein of different kind
Further, do not contain cholesterol or uric acid, and they are often high in polyunsaturated fats, which are often highly beneficial. In addition to being consumed as flour, cereals can be consumed as flakes or sprinkles, in bars, etc.
