FOLLOW THE GRAIN CHAIN
What is grain?
Farmers plant seeds which grow into wheat. The wheat plant is a type of
cereal. Wheat grains grow at the top of the plant. They are closely packed
together in clusters called ears. Each ear of wheat is made up of 40 to 60
grains. It's these starchy grains that we eat.
Here's what a grain of wheat looks like close up.
Each grain of wheat is made up of three distinct parts. First there is the
coarse outer bran layer. Inside the bran layer the grain is made up of two main
parts. The smaller part is called the germ – a new plant would grow from this
part. The larger part is called the endosperm. This is the starchy store of food
which the germ would feed on while it grows.
What is the grain chain?
The grain from the wheat plants is used to make flour. Flour is used to make
lots of different foods, like bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits and cakes.
These products are delivered to shops and supermarkets so that we can buy them.
Follow what happens below. All the steps link together to make the grain
chain.
The farmer plants the wheat seeds, and makes sure they have enough water, warmth and light to grow well.
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When the wheat plants have grown and the grains are ready, the farmer uses a combine harvester to harvest them. The grains have to be separated from the ears and stalks of the wheat.
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The farmer sends the grain from the wheat plants to the mill so it can be made into flour.
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At the mill, the wheat grain is ground into flour using special machines. Different types of wheat are mixed in the right proportions to give different types of flour. The miller looks after the process. Find out more about the milling process here.
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The flour is sent to bakeries. Bakers use the flour to make bread. Machines mix the ingredients together, forming and shaping the dough. The dough is baked in large gas or oil-fired ovens.
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Bread is delivered to shops and supermarkets. Some shops have their own bakeries and bake their bread on the premises.
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People buy the bread and take it home to enjoy!
Wheat is a type of cereal. A large proportion of the UK cereal crop is used to feed animals – including pigs, chickens and cows – which provide us with
meat, eggs and milk.
