Rye

Secale cereale
Agenda
What is Rye?

Origin

Production

Demand

Significance
 Rye
A cereal grain that is closely related

to wheat and barley. It is considered

a fast-growing annual crop growing

to 1-2 metres in height.

As compared to wheat, rye is longer and more slender and

varies in color from yellowish brown to grayish green.

 HARDY AGAINST WEATHER
CONDITIONS
More tolerant of frost and drought conditions and

thus is the most "winter-hardy" of all cereals. It's

drought tolerance is due to it's highly developed root

system, using less water.

THE "POVERTY GRAIN"

Rye has held an underdog status amongst grains and as it

grows well in poor soils. It is commonly associated with the

underclass as it was often harvested and eaten by

impoverished communities.
 Origin

Rye's direct heritage is unknown, but it is commonly believed to have originated from southwestern

Asia 1800-1500 BC.

It is one of the species that grow in the wild in Central Turkey and adjacent regions.

Since the Middle Ages, rye has been widely cultivated in Central and Eastern Europe and is the main

bread cereal in most areas east of the French-German border and north of Hungary.

Rye was transported to North and South

America by the English and Dutch settlers.

It is possible that rye traveled west from

Turkey as a minor admixture in wheat and

later cultivated on its own.

Production & Demand
Is processed into flour for bread or fed to livestock. Most rye breads are a

mix of rye and wheat flours, while Scandinavian-style black bread is made

of pure rye flour.

It’s used to make whiskey – both multigrain blends like bourbon and pure rye

whiskey. It’s also a base ingredient in many vodkas and gins.

Its tough fibrous straw can be used for thatching, mattresses, hats, and

paper.
 Significance
TODAY, AS FOR THE PAST TWO CENTURIES,

THE TERMS "RYE WHISKY" AND "CANADIAN

WHISKY" ARE USED INTERCHANGEABLY IN

CANADA.
 Fun Fact!
WEIGHT LOSS

Fiber in rye is unique as it is extremely binding

with water molecules, meaning that it makes you

feel full very quickly.