Description
The information is provided here will help you to get the right wheat from the stores or market.
Wheat is a highly nutritional and widely cultivated cereal grain. For over 7 centuries, wheat has been raised and harvested in many countries around the world. It’s one of the world’s most important crops and holds the title of the second most-produced grain in the world, beaten only by corn.
In 2021, global wheat production reached over 776 million metric tons, securing its place as one of the world’s most consumed grains, second only to rice. Wheat remains a crucial dietary staple for numerous regions, providing 20% of the global population’s daily protein intake. Its ability to grow in various soils and climates significantly contributes to its widespread consumption.
Different Types of Wheat:
There are many different varieties of wheat, each of which has different protein contents and kernel color.
There are two primary categories: winter wheat and summer wheat, which are classified based on their growing season. They’re then sub-categorized based on hardness, color, and shape. You can find information on these subcategories in the table below.
Type of Wheat | Properties |
|---|---|
Soft red winter wheat | This type of wheat has baking properties which make it suitable as an ingredientin baked goods like cakes, pastries and cookies. |
Hard red winter wheat | This type of wheat is grown in low temperatures and snow-covered regions.It has high protein content and is used for products like general purpose flour,flatbreads and cereals. It’s also the most important type of wheat produced inthe United States. |
Hard red spring wheat | This type of wheat is produced in hot, dry climates. It’s glutencharacteristics make it a good choice for use in food products like bagels,croissants and pizza crusts. |
Soft white wheat | Sweeter and softer than other types of wheat. It’s low in proteinand gluten which makes it great for more exquisite pastries andcakes, as well as Asian noodles |
Hard white wheat | This type of wheat has slightly less protein and is less bitter than hard redwheat. It’s used in softer loaves such as pan loaves. |
Durum wheat | This type of wheat has more protein than any other type and is used to make pasta. |
Uses of Wheat:
Unsurprisingly, the main demand for wheat comes from human consumption. In fact, over two-thirds of wheat produced globally is used as food. It contains many vitamins and minerals which make it a staple food product. It’s used in premium bread making, general purpose bread making, biscuit and cake making, and as animal feed.
Although foodstuffs represent the main use of wheat, it also has several alternative uses. The gluten and starch present in wheat make it elastic and able to bind water. This makes wheat useful for products like:
- Animal feed:
- A portion of wheat production is allocated for animal feed, particularly for poultry and livestock.
- Wheat middlings, a byproduct of flour milling, are commonly used in animal feed due to their high protein content.
- Biofuel:
- Wheat can be used to produce ethanol, a biofuel that can replace or supplement gasoline.
- In 2020, around 5% of global wheat production was dedicated to ethanol production.
- Bioplastics:
- Wheat straw and chaff can be used as a raw material to create biodegradable plastics.
- These bioplastics offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
- Paper production:
- Wheat straw can be used in paper production as an alternative to wood pulp.
- This helps reduce deforestation and contributes to more sustainable paper production.
- Construction materials:
- Wheat straw can be processed into building materials like straw bale and particleboard.
- These materials offer insulation, soundproofing, and environmental benefits compared to conventional construction materials.
- Industrial absorbents:
- Wheat straw and chaff can be used as absorbent materials for oil spills and other industrial applications.
- They provide a natural and cost-effective alternative to synthetic absorbents.
