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Grain-tastic Goodness: Top 8 Fun Facts About Wheat You Never Knew!

illustration of wheat
Get ready to be 'wheely' amazed as we unravel the fascinating and lesser-known kernels of wisdom related to that golden grain we all know and love – wheat!

1. Whole Grain Wheat Superhero

Step aside, Iron Man, for there's a new superhero in town: behold, the mighty Whole Grain Wheat! With its power-packed ensemble of protein, dietary fiber, mineral micronutrients like iron, zinc, and selenium, B vitamins, and beneficial phytochemicals, this unsung hero of the pantry just got an upgrade. But watch out! Its arch-nemesis, the sneaky White Flour, strips away its nutritious bran suit, leaving the whole grain version with significantly more dietary fiber and nutrients in its arsenal. So, always choose Whole Grain Wheat, the true defender of healthy diets!
Source => yearonthefield.net

2. Wheat Starch Trio

Move aside, Goldilocks: wheat starch is rocking its own fantastic trio! Wheat starch granules have a trimodal size distribution, with A-, B-, and C-granules ranging from 10-50 μm, 5-9.9 μm, and <5 μm in diameter respectively. This marvelous medley of granule sizes affects the starch's physical and chemical properties, making wheat a versatile staple in both the food and industrial sectors.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

3. Wheat, the Culinary Rockstar

Ladies and gentlemen, grains and legumes – wheat has entered the building and it's ready to rock your culinary world like a Rolling Stone in a mill: Wheat is the second most produced cereal crop internationally, helping churn out a whopping 760.9 million tons in 2020 alone, and is the superstar behind your beloved bread, pasta, and even beer!
Source => agweb.com

4. Gluten-Free Pets Misconception

Who let the dogs (and cats) out on a gluten-free spree? Turns out, they might be barking up the wrong tree: Wheat gluten in pet food is actually highly digestible and serves as a valuable protein source for our furry friends, boasting an amino acid profile that complements meat protein and makes it an ideal ingredient in veterinary exclusive diets.
Source => vanislevet.com

American Wheat Flour Consumption

5. American Wheat Flour Consumption

Wheat a minute, I knead to give you some grain-breaking news: Americans have been loafing around with a consistent wheat flour consumption of around 130 pounds per capita from 2013 to 2023, with factors like age, income, and cultural background playing a role in the "rise" and grind of this dough-lightful food staple!
Source => statista.com

6. Fashionable Wheat Straw Hats

Hold on to your hat, fashionistas: Did you know that the crème de la crème of straw hats, the Milan Straw hat, is actually made from high-quality wheat straw grown in Tuscany, Italy? With a weave that takes four to nine months for one hat, these durable, golden-hued masterpieces are turning heads and making a statement in the fashion world.
Source => blog.ultrafino.com

7. Wheat-Based Vodka

Who needs potatoes when you've got wheat? Vodka's grainy secret life exposed: Wheat, along with rye and corn, can also be used to create various types of this inebriating delight, each bestowing their own unique flavor and kick to our favorite mood-lifting spirit.
Source => distiller.com

8. Wheat, the Kevin Bacon of Crops

Step aside, quinoa, there's a new sheriff in town: Wheat, the real Kevin Bacon of the crop world, since it's connected to every mill, bakery, and breakfast around. And here's the wheat-tacular twist: This undercover hero is actually the most widely grown crop on the planet, feeding billions of humans and single-handedly transforming mornings with its star role in Post Big Biscuit Shredded Wheat, a whole-grain, sugar-free, spotlight-stealing breakfast delight!
Source => walmart.com

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