Wheat, which is a closed-seed and monocotyledonous plant, is the primary raw material for bread, which is the most fundamental foodstuff worldwide. Bread and many other bakery products are made from wheat fl our. Wheat serves as a staple food for humans and is also used as animal feed for both livestock and poultry. After harvesting, wheat can be ground with or without its bran using various machines, and then it can be off ered for sale.
In Turkey, wheat is primarily produced for the purpose of feeding farm animals. The straw bales left as a waste product after wheat harvesting are used as feed for large and small livestock on many farms.
Wheat not only plays a crucial role in the dietary habits of humans but also serves as the key ingredient in the production of various baked goods, apart from bread, through the process of milling wheat into fl our. Additionally, wheat is consumed in signifi cant quantities in the food industry in the form of bulgur, which is wheat that has been cracked but not ground into fl our.
What Is Wheat?
Wheat, scientifi cally known as Triticum, is the only annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family that is cultivated worldwide. Wheat can be grown in temperate climates and, along with maize, ranks among the most widely cultivated and grown agricultural crops globally.
Wheat has found a broad range of habitats in Turkey and is extensively cultivated due to its suitability for various climate conditions. Wheat is grown in almost every region of the country, albeit in smaller quantities in some areas. It ranks fi rst in terms of both cultivation and profi t among all agricultural activities in Turkey. Approximately 83% of all agricultural activities in the country are related to wheat, and an average of 18 million tons of wheat is produced each year.
What Are the Characteristics of Wheat?
Wheat can be categorized into three diff erent groups based on how it is produced: pasta wheat, biscuit wheat, and bread wheat. The color of wheat, such as white, yellow, amber, or red, is determined by the husk of the seed. Wheat grains can be either elongated or round. A wheat grain contains protein, cellulose, fat, enzymes, and various vitamins, apart from water. The proportion of these substances in wheat grains varies depending on the region and cultivation type. In Turkey, the Central Anatolia region is the most prolifi c wheat- growing area, primarily due to its favorable climate. This region is often referred to as Turkey’s wheat granary.
What Are the Types of Wheat?
Numerous wheat varieties are cultivated in Turkey, but their numbers have decreased over the years due to changing conditions. In recent decades, there has been a focus on bread wheat varieties. Bread wheat (Triticum Aestivum) is often yellow or white, with small grains, suitable for both summer and winter cultivation. Bread wheat has a higher starch content compared to other wheat types. There are also red-grain variants of bread wheat called “sünter,” which are only cultivated in winter.
Another type, durum wheat (Triticum Durum), is used for making pasta and is known by diff erent names in diff erent regions of Turkey, depending on the growing conditions. Durum wheat grains are larger and amber in color compared to other wheat varieties. For making semolina, durum wheat with more compact grains is preferred.
Some other known wheat types include soft wheat, Triticum Compactum, einkorn wheat, Triticum carthlicum, emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccon, einkorn wheat, Triticum monococcum, Polish wheat, Triticum polonicum, spelt wheat, Triticum spelta, and emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum. In addition to these, wheat can be classifi ed based on hardness into hard and soft, based on grain color into red and white, and based on planting season into summer and winter wheat.
What Are the Benefi ts of Wheat?
Wheat, widely used in Turkey, off ers numerous benefi ts. It is known for its nutritional content, containing ample carbohydrates, proteins, and B vitamins. Wheat also contains minerals such as iron and zinc. Therefore, wheat can help prevent problems like anemia. Boiled wheat water has a revitalizing eff ect and can calm the nerves. Additionally, wheat helps stimulate the intestines, alleviating constipation. Rich in selenium, it is benefi cial for skin health.