oat | A LITTLE SOMETHIN'

cloth made of cotton

threads sewn with threads

a fiber container

Feeling your oats

This is a horse racing term used to decribe the energy received from a bucket of oats given to a race horse before the race on that day.

The oats act like a high fiber, carbohydrate giving the animal increased energy for a short time.

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From very humble origins oats now receive top billing with nutritionists. They were the last of the major cereal grains to be domesticated and they originated as weeds that grew within cultivated fields of various other crops. Oats were a lowly horse food for the Romans, even today, less than 5% of the oats now grown commercially are for human consumption. Oats remains mainly, as a pasture and hay crop, especially for horses. Thousands of years have passed and many people still haven’t caught-on!

Oats contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. In addition to the soluble fiber’s cholesterol-lowering effect, it also causes your stomach to stay fuller longer, making you feel satisfied. Soluble fiber also slows the absorption of glucose into the body, which means sugar spikes and dips will be avoided. The insoluble fiber in oats aids digestion and promotes regularity.

Oat groats, or whole oats: The least processed, only the outer hull is removed. Very nutritious, but need to be cooked and/or soaked for a long period of time. Oat groats are chewy, nutty-tasting grains similar to wheat berries; they make a good substitute for rice in soups and stewsOat bran: The outer casing that is removed from the groats. The bran is particularly high in soluble fiber. Oat bran is very versatile, and can be used with groats or alone, and as an addition to baking recipes, or even raw in shakes.

Steel-cut oats, or Irish oats: Groats that have been chopped into small pieces. They have a firmer texture than rolled oats. Steel-cut oats have a mild flavor & a starchy texture; and can be substituted for rice in pilaf or risotto or used as a delicious topping for salads

Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats: Commonly called oatmeal These are oat groats that are steamed and flattened with huge rollers so that they cook quicker, in about 5 to 15 minutes. They are a great binder for meat loaf and can be used in stuffing for chicken or turkey.

Quick oats: These are groats that have been cut into several pieces before being steamed and rolled into thinner flakes, thus reducing the cooking time to 3-5 minutes. While they cook quicker, any oat aficionado will tell you that they lack the hearty texture and nutty flavor of the less-processed varieties.

Instant oats: These are made by chopping groats into tiny pieces, precooking them, drying them, then smashing them with a big roller. They need only be mixed with a hot liquid. They usually have flavorings and salt added. All of this processing removes all traces of the original texture and rich flavor of the groats.

Oat flour: Oat flour is made from groats that have been ground into a powder, and contains no gluten so it does not rise like wheat flour. It can also be made at home by grinding rolled oats into a powder in a blender. It has a delicate texture that will produce moist & tender baked goods.

Note: If purchasing in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the oats are covered, free from debris, and that the store has a good product turnover to ensure its freshness. Smelling the oats will tell you if they are fresh. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place where they will keep for approximately two months.

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12 thoughts on “oat”

Wayne May 17, 2012 at 8:13 pm

I dig oat bran on a winter morning

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Valerie Kamikubo May 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Very informative :-)

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S. Etole May 11, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Great photo and poem … grinning at Glynn’s remark.

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nancy Post authorMay 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm

I think Glynn is in a Friday mood…

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SimplyDarlene May 11, 2012 at 10:26 am

love me some weeds.

and they make fab no-bake cookies too.

thanks for the research…

“Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks” is a favorite (Irish) cartoon-type shows around here. We have some of the BBC series on DVD. One is entitled “Donkeys into Racehorses” and it depicts the humorous attempt of using oats to help Finnegan the donkey get his speed on.

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nancy Post authorMay 11, 2012 at 4:09 pm

the breakfast of famous Finnegan!

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Glynn May 11, 2012 at 10:23 am

Oat, oat, oat your boat
gently down the stream….

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nancy Post authorMay 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm

sounds like you’re on an oat float

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mdoallas May 11, 2012 at 9:14 am

Wonderful image!

I can vouch that I eat a lot of oats.

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nancy Post authorMay 11, 2012 at 4:06 pm

me too…lately, in the form of home-made granola.

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monicasharman May 11, 2012 at 9:01 am

Just yesterday I was telling my husband I think oatmeal is a magic food. Just eating it makes me feel good and healthy. And I ate a big bowl of oatmeal and felt very full, but it’s such a “good” full unlike the uncomfortable full I feel when I eat some other things.

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