Bread, Cereal, Grains: Origins

Bread, Cereal, Grains: Origins

• Bread, cereal, and grains are historic staple foods from diverse cultures.
• Early civilizations cultivated these crops and used them as currency and in religious ceremonies.
• Wheat, first grown in the Fertile Crescent, led to the development of bread.
• Ancient Egyptians advanced bread-making techniques, using leavening agents for risen loaves.
• Rice, a major staple, originated from Asia, primarily China and India, and spread to other regions over time.
• Corn (or Maize) was first domesticated in Mesoamerica and is now a global staple crop with many applications.
• Oats, barley, and rye were integral to the diets of ancient societies.
• Trade and exploration over centuries have globally shared and spread these critical food commodities.