Pseudocereal
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Apseudocerealorpseudograinis one of any non-grasses that are used in much the same way ascereals(true cereals aregrasses). Pseudocereals can be further distinguished from other non-cerealstaple crops(such aspotatoes) by their being processed like a cereal: their seed can be ground intoflourand otherwise used as a cereal. Prominent examples of pseudocereals includeamaranth(love-lies-bleeding,red amaranth,Prince-of-Wales-feather),quinoa,andbuckwheat.[1]The pseudocereals have a good nutritional profile, with high levels of essentialamino acids,essential fatty acids,minerals,and somevitamins.The starch in pseudocereals has small granules and lowamylosecontent (except for buckwheat), which gives it similar properties to waxy-type cereal starches.[2]The functional properties of pseudocereals, such as high viscosity, water-binding capacity, swelling capability, and freeze-thaw stability, are determined by their starch properties and seed morphology. Pseudocereals are gluten-free, and they are used to make 100% gluten-free products, which has increased their popularity.[2]
Common pseudocereals
[edit]- Acorn
- Amaranth(love-lies-bleeding,red amaranth,Prince-of-Wales-feather)
- Breadnut
- Buckwheat
- Cañahua
- Chia
- Cockscomb(also called quail grass or soko)
- Fat hen
- Hanza
- Pitseed goosefoot
- Quinoa
- Wattleseed(also calledacacia seed)
Production
[edit]This table shows the annual production of some pseudocereals in 1961,[3]2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 ranked by 2013 production.[4]
| Grain | Worldwide production (millions of metric tons) |
Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||
| Buckwheat | 2.5 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | A pseudocereal in the familyPolygonaceaethat is used extensively inIndiaduring fasts, and inEurasiaand to a minor degree the United States and Brazil. Major uses include various pancakes,groats,and noodle production. |
| Quinoa | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.10 | A pseudocereal in the familyAmaranthaceae,traditional to theAndes,but increasingly popular elsewhere. |
Other grains that are locally important, but are not included inFAOstatistics, include:
- Amaranth,an ancient pseudocereal, formerly a staple crop of theAztec Empire,widely grown in Africa.
- KañiwaorCañahua,close relative ofquinoa.
References
[edit]- ^ "Glossary of Agricultural Production, Programs and Policy".University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-02-14.Retrieved2006-12-31.
- ^abSchoenlechner, Bender, Regine, Denisse (2020)."Pseudocereals for Global Food Production".Cereals & Grains Association.
{{cite journal}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^1961 is the earliest year for whichFAOstatistics are available.
- ^"ProdSTAT".FAOSTAT.Retrieved26 December2006.
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