Tag: True grain

While often used similarly in cooking, buckwheat and barley are not related; buckwheat is actually a pseudocereal and member of the knotweed family, while barley is a true grain belonging to the grass family. This botanical distinction leads to significant differences in their nutritional content, flavor, and culinary applications, most notably in their gluten content.

Oats, scientifically known as *Avena sativa*, are a true cereal grain from the Poaceae grass family. This classifies them differently from pseudo-grains, which are not grasses at all but are used in a similar culinary manner. Understanding this botanical distinction clarifies why some cereals contain gluten while pseudo-grains are naturally gluten-free.

As the world's fifth most important cereal crop, sorghum plays a significant role in global food security. This ancient grain, a staple for millions, is often mistaken for or grouped with pseudocereals, leading many to question: is sorghum a true grain?