Cereal

A cereal is any grass cultivated for the edible components of its grain (botanically, a type of fruit called a caryopsis), composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran. Cereal grains are grown in greater quantities and provide more food energy worldwide than any other type of crop; they are therefore staple crops. Some plants often referred to as cereals, like buckwheat and quinoa, are considered instead pseudocereals, since they are not grasses.

In their natural form (as in whole grain), they are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, oils, and protein. When refined by the removal of the bran and germ, the remaining endosperm is mostly carbohydrate. In some developing nations, grain in the form of rice, wheat, millet, or maize constitutes a majority of daily sustenance. In developed nations, cereal consumption is moderate and varied but still substantial.

The word cereal derives from Ceres, the name of the Roman goddess of harvest and agriculture.

History

The first cereal grains were domesticated by early primitive humans. About 8,000 years ago, they were domesticated by ancient farming communities in the Fertile Crescent region. Emmer wheat, einkorn wheat, and barley were three of the so-called Neolithic founder crops in the development of agriculture. Around the same time, millets and rices were starting to become domesticated in east Asia. Sorghum and millets were also being domesticated in sub-Saharan West Africa.

Breakfast cereal

Breakfast cereal (or just cereal) is a food made from processed grains that is often eaten as the first meal of the day. It is eaten hot or cold, usually mixed with milk, yogurt, or fruit. Some companies promote their products for the health benefits from eating oat-based and high-fiber cereals. In America, cereals are often fortified with vitamins. A significant proportion of cold cereals are made with high sugar content. Many breakfast cereals are produced via extrusion.

The breakfast cereal industry has gross profit margins of 40-45%, 90% penetration in some markets, and steady and continued growth throughout its history.

In 2008, the total breakfast cereal sales were slightly over $13.3 billion in the U.S. alone. The number of different types of breakfast cereals in the U.S. has grown from 160 (1970) to 340 (1998) to 4,945 (2012).

History of cereal in North America

Porridge was a traditional food in much of Northern Europe and Russia back to antiquity. Barley was a common grain used, though other grains and yellow peas could be used. In many modern cultures, porridge is still eaten as a breakfast dish.

Cereal (disambiguation)

Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain.

Cereal may also refer to:

  • Breakfast cereal
  • an adjective referring to the goddess Ceres
  • cereals and pseudocereals collectively
  • Caryopsis
  • Food grains
  • Cereal, Alberta
  • See also

  • Serial (disambiguation)
  • Ceres (dwarf planet)
  • Cerean (disambiguation)
  • Cereals Event which takes place in the UK
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Latest News for: Cereal trading

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    World cereal utilisation in 2024/25 stands at 2 868 million tonnes: FAO

    Urdu Point 06 Apr 2025
    ... has further lowered its forecast for world cereal trade in 2024/25 by 5.3 million tonnes to 478.9 million tonnes, marking a 6.7% contraction from 2023/24 and the lowest level since 2019/20.
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    JPMorgan warns recession unavoidable even if tariffs halted immediately | Daily Mail Online

    The Daily Mail 06 Apr 2025
    The revised figure came following the White House's announcement of a 10% across-the-board tariff on all imported goods, along with even steeper penalties for nations with sizable trade surpluses.
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    Tariff-led uncertainty wipes out $4.9B in West Michigan share value

    Grand Rapids Business Journal 03 Apr 2025
    Stock prices for West Michigan-based publicly traded companies fell on Thursday, erasing nearly $4.9 billion in paper value a day after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on the United States’ global trading partners.
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    Fin Min gives hopes on prices Indian consumers pay while flagging trade risks

    The Times of India 26 Mar 2025
    ... a moderation in inflation for vegetables, cereals, and pulses.
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    Massive shipowner attendance confirmed for next month’s Geneva Dry

    Splash24/7 20 Mar 2025
    Alberta Shipmanagement, Alcos Transport, A.O ... Its share in global trading is estimated at 35% for oil, 60% for metals, 50% for cereals, and 40% for sugar, ensuring shipowners have to visit the landlocked country regularly for business ... .
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    Stock market today: Wall Street ticks higher ahead of Fed rate call

    The Call 19 Mar 2025
    In early trading Wednesday, General Mills shares slid 4% after the cereal and snack maker missed Wall Street sales targets and lowered its full-year outlook ... In currency trading, the U.S.
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    Stock market today: Wall Street drifts higher ahead of Fed announcement

    The Call 19 Mar 2025
    The S&P 500 was up 0.4% in early trading Wednesday ... In early trading Wednesday, General Mills shares slid 4% after the cereal and snack maker missed Wall Street sales targets and lowered its full-year outlook ... In currency trading, the U.S.
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    Boost in South Africa's grain harvest brings hope to farmers

    Independent online (SA) 17 Mar 2025
    Dr André van der Vyver, an executive director of the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (Sacota), said that there was a late start to the season in most areas and the rainfall pattern varied considerably from area to area.
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