Common Types of Grains in English You Should Know
Grains constitute a staple in the diets of a majority of the world’s population, serving as an essential component of a healthy diet and contributing to the production of various food products. When seeking an alternative to flour for your next recipe, you might want to explore the diverse range of grains currently accessible.
Numerous grains are notably rich in protein, rendering them particularly significant in vegetarian diets. These grains can be finely ground into flour, which is subsequently used in the production of bread, pasta, cereals, and a variety of other food items.
What Are Grains?
Grains constitute a staple in the diets of a majority of the world’s population, serving as an essential component of a healthy diet and contributing to the production of various food products. When seeking an alternative to flour for your next recipe, you might want to explore the diverse range of grains currently accessible.
Numerous grains are notably rich in protein, rendering them particularly significant in vegetarian diets. These grains can be finely ground into flour, which is subsequently used in the production of bread, pasta, cereals, and a variety of other food items.
Types of Grains
Different Types of Grains
The Wheat Family
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley
- Spelt
- Kamut (Khorasan wheat)
The Barley Family
- Barley
- Amaranth
- Faba beans/ broad beans (fava beans)
- Buckwheat
The Rice Family
- Rice
- Brown rice
- Wild rice
The Corn Family
- Corn
- Maize
- Polenta
- Grits
Oats Family
- Oats
List of Grains
- Durum
- Emmer/ farrow
- Einkorn
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley
- Spelt
- Kamut
- Amaranth
- Faba beans/ broad beans
- Buckwheat
- Rice
- Brown rice
- Wild rice
- Corn
- Polenta
- Grits
- Oats
- Freekeh
- Millet
- Sorghum
- Teff
- Triticale
- Quinoa
- Bulgur
- Fonio
- Arborio rice
- Basmati rice
- Jasmin rice
Various Types of Grains and Their Characteristics
Below are several diverse varieties of grains commonly found on grocery store shelves today, each possessing unique qualities and culinary applications:
Amaranth
This gluten-free, high-protein grain is a popular substitute for rice or wheat flour. With its earthy flavor, amaranth is frequently utilized in pesto sauces, side dishes, and baked goods.
Barley
Commonly used in soups, stews, and salads, barley, especially the whole grain variety, is rich in fiber. Soaking it before cooking reduces the required cooking time.
Buckwheat
With a robust flavor, this gluten-free, high-protein grain is often found in pancakes, crepes, and various breakfast dishes as a substitute for rice or wheat flour.
Bulgur
Parboiled and dried before packaging, bulgur is a whole wheat grain that can be used in breakfast dishes, side dishes, pilafs, and stuffings once reconstituted.
Corn
Capable of flourishing in diverse climates, corn can be consumed fresh, boiled, roasted, ground into cornmeal, or used to prepare cornbread.
Millet
This cereal grain, often likened to brown rice, boasts a distinct dark color and contains essential nutrients such as calcium and iron. Millet is commonly featured in soups and side dishes.
Oats
Frequently used in baking cookies and as a hot cereal, oats contain beta-glucan, which aids in lowering cholesterol levels and may contribute to reducing the risk of heart disease.
Rice
The seed of an aquatic grass, rice is a staple food in many cultures and is rich in amino acids and vitamins.
Spelt
A healthy grain with a nutty flavor, spelt contains gluten and is commonly used in breads, pastas, and vinaigrette salad dressings.
Wheat
This cereal grain is a dietary staple for a large part of the world’s population and can be consumed either raw or cooked. Wheat flour is a common ingredient in bread and pasta.
Rye
With a distinctive flavor, rye is a cereal grain suitable for use in breads and other culinary creations.
Sorghum
Originally cultivated in Africa for millennia, sorghum has gained popularity in the United States. Sweet and small, these grains are rich in various nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin B1, and they are also high in protein.
Including grains in your daily diet can provide numerous health benefits. The wide array of grains available can cater to individual nutritional preferences. For those seeking healthier alternatives to conventional flours and starches, these grains can be ground and utilized to make an assortment of foods such as bread, porridge, puddings, and cakes, among others.
