Wheat

Let’s step into the amazing world of wheat – a quiet hero of the global agriculture scene. This golden grass isn’t just a pretty sight. It feeds millions, shapes economies, and has a story that’s far from ordinary.

Wheat’s Role in Our Wallets

Wheat is a big deal in the world of farming and trade. It brings in a lot of money because it’s needed so much and can be used in so many ways. In 2021, farmers around the world grew a whopping 771 million tonnes of wheat. That’s three times more than in 1960!

When it comes to trade, wheat is the king, leaving all other crops in the dust. China, India, and Russia take the crown for growing the most wheat, making up 42% of the total. And when it comes to selling wheat, Russia, the United States, Canada, and France are leading the pack. The countries buying the most are Indonesia, Egypt, and Turkey.

Wheat’s Role on Our Plates

Besides being a money-maker, wheat is also a key player on our dinner plates. It’s packed with carbs and plant proteins. In fact, about 13% of wheat is protein. Plus, when eaten as a whole grain, wheat is a source of many nutrients and dietary fiber.

But not everyone can enjoy wheat. For about 1% of people in developed countries, eating wheat can cause a condition called Coeliac disease. This condition means they can’t eat gluten, which is found in wheat. Other conditions like non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia, and dermatitis herpetiformis can also be triggered by wheat. For some people, it’s short-chain carbs in wheat, known as FODMAPs, that cause problems.

Wheat might even affect the health of our gut. Some research suggests parts of wheat can have good and bad effects on gut microbes. But we need more research to know for sure.

Wheat’s Role in Our Fields

Wheat is a bit of a chameleon. Over time, it has changed and adapted, leading to many different types of wheat. This is thanks to ancient farmers and natural processes.

Wheat can be diploid, tetraploid, or hexaploid. Each type has different uses and traits. For example, most tetraploid wheat comes from wild emmer wheat. Hexaploid wheat, like common wheat and spelt, comes from wild emmer wheat mixed with Ae. squarrosa and Ae. tauschii.

Knowing about the different types of wheat and how they’ve changed over time is really important. It helps us to create better types of wheat, grow it in a more sustainable way, and feed more people around the world.