Produce of India: top oats producing states in India are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar & west Bengal.

History: There are many wild oat species, but only four have been cultivated for today’s use. The popularity of oats grew when the Roman’s introduced it to the British Isles, especially Scotland, where they flourished. Oats came to North and South America in the 17th century and used primarily as animal feed. Today, Europe is the leader in oat production. Oats are primarily steamed and flattened into rolled oats or “old fashioned” oats. This keeps the oat nutrient components intact as a whole grain. Quick or instant oats are also whole grain.

What are rolled oats?

Once husk is removed, the oats are steamed and flattened between heavy rollers, hence the name rolled oats. Afterwards, the oats are dried in a kiln to add flavor and to deactivate a naturally occurring enzyme in the oats that can break down fats into fatty acids, which cause oats to taste rancid. Rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats, are the most common type of oats found around the world.