BREAD SCIENCE: A Simple Grain Dissection

Grains are the seeds from grasses that are grown to be used as food. The grain seed is made of three basic parts; bran, germ, and endosperm.

PICTURE SOURCE

The ENDOSPERM makes up the bulk of the grain seed and is sometimes referred to as the kernel. It is mostly starchy material with little nutritional value but provides an energy source for the germ.

The GERM is the reproductive part of the grain seed. This is where a new plant will begin to grow so the germ is packed full of nutrition.

The BRAN is the outer coating of the grain seed. It is full of fiber which provides a protective layer for the germ and endosperm.

There are lots of types of grains such as rye, barley, and quinoa, but wheat is the most commonly used.

SOURCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_grain

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=66

http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/definition-of-whole-grains

 http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/whole_grains.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whole-grains/NU00204

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/health-gains-from-whole-grains/