Wheat
Wheat was one of the first food plants to be
cultivated by humans, and was the most
important cereal in the ancient Mediterranean
civilizations. After a long hiatus from the
Middle Ages to the 19th century, when hardier
but less versatile cereals and potatoes were
the principal staple foods, it regained its
preeminence in much of Europe. Wheat was
brought to America early in the 17th century
and had reached the Great Plains by 1855.
Compared to other temperate-zone cereals,
wheat is a demanding crop. It’s susceptible to
disease in warm, humid regions and does best
in a cool climate, but it can’t be grown as far
north as rye and oats.
Food Words: Cereal, Wheat, Barley, Rye,
Oat
Our word “cereal” comes from the Roman
goddess of the fields, Ceres, whose name