Wheatberry
Encyclopedia
The term wheatberry or wheat berry refers to the entire wheat
kernel (except for the hull
), comprising the bran
, germ
, and endosperm
. Wheatberries have a tan to reddish brown color and are available as either a hard or soft processed grain. They are often added to salad
s or baked into bread
to add a crunchy texture; as a whole grain, they also provide nutritional benefits since they are an excellent source of dietary fiber
.
Wheatberries are the primary ingredient in an Eastern European Christmas porridge called kutya. In France, pre-cooked wheatberries are commonly eaten as a side dish instead of rice or corn. This side dish is often referred to as Ebly, although this is actually the name of the first brand of pre-cooked wheatberries to hit the market.
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
kernel (except for the hull
Husk
Husk in botany is the outer shell or coating of a seed. It often refers to the leafy outer covering of an ear of maize as it grows on the plant. Literally, a husk or hull includes the protective outer covering of a seed, fruit or vegetable...
), comprising the bran
Bran
Bran is the hard outer layer of grain and consists of combined aleurone and pericarp. Along with germ, it is an integral part of whole grains, and is often produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. When bran is removed from grains, the grains lose a portion of their...
, germ
Cereal germ
The germ of a cereal is the reproductive part that germinates to grow into a plant; it is the embryo of the seed. Along with bran, germ is often a by-product of the milling that produces refined grain products. Cereal grains and their components, such as wheat germ, rice bran, and maize may be used...
, and endosperm
Endosperm
Endosperm is the tissue produced inside the seeds of most flowering plants around the time of fertilization. It surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of starch, though it can also contain oils and protein. This makes endosperm an important source of nutrition in human diet...
. Wheatberries have a tan to reddish brown color and are available as either a hard or soft processed grain. They are often added to salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s or baked into bread
Bread
Bread is a staple food prepared by cooking a dough of flour and water and often additional ingredients. Doughs are usually baked, but in some cuisines breads are steamed , fried , or baked on an unoiled frying pan . It may be leavened or unleavened...
to add a crunchy texture; as a whole grain, they also provide nutritional benefits since they are an excellent source of dietary fiber
Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber, dietary fibre, or sometimes roughage is the indigestible portion of plant foods having two main components:* soluble fiber that is readily fermented in the colon into gases and physiologically active byproducts, and* insoluble fiber that is metabolically inert, absorbing water as it...
.
Wheatberries are the primary ingredient in an Eastern European Christmas porridge called kutya. In France, pre-cooked wheatberries are commonly eaten as a side dish instead of rice or corn. This side dish is often referred to as Ebly, although this is actually the name of the first brand of pre-cooked wheatberries to hit the market.