What is oatmeal?

Question: What is oatmeal?

Oatmeal, once considered suitable only for animal feed.

A. oat (Avena sativa) Oat grain has a cereal grass. Oatmeal is commonly consumed by humans as a cooked cereal. Raw oats harvested is used as a feed for animals, but for human consumption, oats are processed to some extent.

There are many forms of oats and oat flour, edible. It is important to know the differences (see below) before selecting oat products for your recipes.

Today, oats and oat products are presented as a natural miracle food because of its high content of soluble fiber in the water, but to be the favorite of oats doctors and nutritionists since 1980. Before 1800, oats were used as fodder for horses and cattle, while oats are considered a food for the poor.

Samuel Jackson "Dictionary of the English Language," written in 1755, oats defined as "a grain, which is generally given to horses in England, but in Scotland supports the people." Avena has come a long way, baby!

Learn more about oatmeal, and a few cooking tips before diving into the oatmeal recipes.

Learn more about oats, oatmeal and oat recipes

• species and varieties of oats
• FAQ: What is oatmeal?
• Storage oatmeal, culinary tips and cash equivalents
• oatmeal Recipes
_{Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed oatmeal Photo © 2007 to About.com, Inc.}