Cereal

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Cereal

Cereal (/ˈsɪəriəl/; from Latin cerealis, "relating to grain") is a term used in everyday English to describe a category of grasses (Poaceae) cultivated for the edible components of their grain (botanically, a type of fruit called a caryopsis), composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran.

Etymology

The term "cereal" derives from Ceres, the name of the Roman goddess of harvest and agriculture. The first cereal grains were domesticated about 12,000 years ago by ancient farming communities in the Fertile Crescent region. Emmer wheat, einkorn wheat, and barley were three of the so-called Neolithic founder crops in the development of agriculture.

Types of Cereal

There are several types of cereals, including:

  • Wheat - Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain which is a worldwide staple food.
  • Rice - Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice).
  • Corn - Corn, also known as maize, is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago.
  • Oats - Oats are a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name.
  • Barley - Barley, a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally.

Health Benefits

Cereals are rich in complex carbohydrates that provide you with ample energy and help in preventing various types of ailments. They are also rich in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps in preventing constipation.

See Also

External links

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