Today’s Spotlight in on Oatmeal.

Oatmeal is a preparation of oats that have been de-husked, steamed, and flattened, or a coarse flour of hulled oat grains that have either been milled, rolled, or steel-cut. Ground oats are also called white oats. Steel-cut oats are known as coarse oatmeal, Irish oatmeal, or pinhead oats.

Oatmeal is a popular breakfast food made from oats and liquids, such as water, cow’s milk, or plant-based milk. It’s made by stewing oats in a heated liquid.

Oatmeal is made from:

• Ground oat groats, also called “milled oats”.
• Steel-cut oats, also called “coarse oatmeal”, “Irish oatmeal”, or “pinhead oats”.
• Rolled oats, which are steamed and flattened.

Oatmeal is a good source of: Nutrients, Fiber, Calcium, Antioxidants.

Oatmeal can be sweetened with brown sugar and garnished with:

• Cream
• Fresh or dried fruits
• Nuts or nut butters
• Seeds
• Spices, including cinnamon

The usual serving size is ½ cup oats to 1 cup of water, milk, or combination of both.

 

History

Oats have been around for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of human consumption dates back more than 30,000 years. The ancient Greeks were the first to eat oatmeal as a porridge-type cereal.

Oats were cultivated in ancient China as far back as 7000 B.C. The earliest known grains date back to Egypt’s 12th Dynasty, around 2000 B.C. However, the Egyptians did not value oats and did not cultivate them.

Oats were the last of the major cereal grains to be domesticated, around 3,000 years ago in Europe. They apparently originated as weeds that grew within cultivated fields of other crops.

Oatmeal originated in Europe. The ancient Greeks were the first to eat oatmeal as a porridge-type cereal. However, most ancient Greeks and Romans didn’t like oats and used them to feed their livestock.

Oats are a traditional breakfast staple in the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, the Baltics, and Russia. Oatmeal porridge made from rolled oats and water or milk is a traditional breakfast staple in these countries.

The first oats in the U.S. were planted in 1602. The crop grew in importance in colonial times and remained important until the middle of the 20th century.

 

Here are some fun facts about oatmeal:

• Oatmeal is the number one breakfast food.
• Oatmeal is gluten-free when labeled as such.
• Oatmeal can help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Oatmeal can aid in weight loss.
• Oatmeal is rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
• Oatmeal is low in unsaturated fat and contains no cholesterol.
• Oatmeal is a good source of vitamin B1.
• Oatmeal can be used to soothe skin conditions such as eczema and heat rashes.
• Oatmeal cookies are the number one non-cereal usage for oats, followed by meatloaf.
• Eighty percent of U.S. households have oatmeal in their cupboard.

 

 

To make oatmeal, you can:

1. Bring water or milk to a boil in a small or medium saucepan.
2. Stir in oats and reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes or until oats are of desired texture.
4. Remove from heat and stir in a dash of salt and ¼ cup milk or plant-based milk.
5. Garnish as desired.

You can also cook oatmeal in a microwave, slow cooker, or in a jar overnight. Using enough water is the key to getting a creamy, not-gluey bowl of oatmeal. Cooking oatmeal in milk tends to make a stickier, thicker oatmeal.

 

Consumption

Over 40 million bushels of oatmeal are consumed each year. The average American eats 15 bowls of oatmeal each year. The 65-plus set almost doubles that, eating 29 bowls. The global market size for oatmeal was $2.40 billion in 2019. The global market size for oats was $5.18 billion in 2019. The global market size for oats is projected to reach $6.90 billion by 2027.

According to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, Denmark has the highest oat consumption in the world, with 9 kg per person per year. Other countries with high oat consumption include:

• Finland (192 kg per person)
• Canada (58 kg per person)
• Australia (45 kg per person)
• Sweden (42 kg per person)
• Russia
• Poland

The world average per capita consumption of oats is 3 kg per person.

The European Union was the largest producer of oats in the world in 2020, followed by Canada and Russia.

 

Celebrating Oatmeal

National Oatmeal Day is celebrated on October 29th every year. It’s a day to appreciate and enjoy oatmeal, a healthy breakfast food that’s been enjoyed for thousands of years.

In 2023, National Oatmeal Day falls on a Sunday.

Here are some ways to celebrate National Oatmeal Day:

• Eat oatmeal porridge for breakfast.
• Eat oatmeal cookies for lunch.
• Use oatmeal as a savory polenta-type meal for dinner.

Oatmeal is known for its health benefits, including:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Reducing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers
• Providing energy and fuel all morning long.

Let us know in the comments your favorite way to eat oatmeal.