The Grain Chain Quiz

Which type of cereal crop is most commonly grown in UK?

• Wheat

• Barley

• Maize

Answer explanation

Wheat is the most widely grown arable crop in the UK. On average, it covers around two million hectares of land and produces about 15 million tonnes each year.

How is the wheat harvested?

• By Hand

• By Horse and Plough

• By Combine Harvester Machine

Answer explanation

When the wheat plant reaches its final stage in the growing process, meaning it is dry enough and no green is showing, it is ready to be harvested. A combine is used to harvest the crop. This machine combines reaping, threshing, and winnowing. The edible wheat is put into the back of the combine.

Where on the wheat plant are the grains found?

• In the Ear

• On the Main Stalk

• In the Main Roots

Answer explanation

Wheat grains grow at the top of the plant, in a tightly packed cluster called 'ears'. Each ear of wheat is made up of 40 to 60 grains, and it's these starchy grains that we eat.

Which part of the wheat grain would grow into a new wheat plant?

• The Bran

• The Wheatgerm

• The Endosperm

Answer explanation

Each grain of wheat has three distinct parts. First there is the coarse outer bran layers. Inside the bran layer there are two parts. The smaller part is called the wheat germ – a new plant would grow from this part.

Which part of the wheat grain is used to make white flour?

• The Bran

• The Wheatgerm

• The Endosperm

Answer explanation

The endosperm: is the part of the grain that contains starch that remains after removing the bran and germ. The endosperm is the part of wheat grain milled to obtain white flour.

‘Gristing’ happens at the mill. What does ‘gristing’ mean?

• Washing the grain before it is ground

• Mixing different types of wheat to make different kinds of flour

• Softening the bran layer so it’s easier to remove the endosperm

Answer explanation

Gristing is the technological phase aiming to fragment the wheat seed in particles of different sizes and to remove the endosperm from the coating.

What is brown flour made from?

• About 85% of the original grain, but with some bran and germ removed

• The endosperm only

• All parts of the grain: endosperm, wheatgerm and bran layer

Answer explanation

Wholemeal – This is made from the whole wheat grain with nothing added or taken away.

Brown – This usually contains about 85% of the original grain. Some bran and germ have been removed.

White – This usually contains around 75% of the wheat grain. Most of the bran and wheatgerm have been removed during the milling process.

Wheatgerm – This can be white or brown flour with at least 10% added wheatgerm.

Malted wheatgrain – This is brown or wholemeal flour with added malted grains.

Stoneground – This is wholemeal flour ground in a traditional way between two stones.

Organic –This is made from grain that has been grown to organic standards. Growers and millers must be registered and are subject to regular inspections.

Mixes – there is also an increasing range of flours and mixes containing added seeds or a blend of different grains available.