Macroom Oatmeal facts for kids
Macroom oatmeal porridge, topped with muscovado sugar and butter
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| Course | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Ireland |
| Associated national cuisine | Irish |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Stone-ground oats |
Macroom Oatmeal is a special type of oatmeal from Ireland. It is made in the town of Macroom in County Cork. This oatmeal is unique because it comes from Walton's Mill. This mill is the very last stone mill still working in Ireland!
In 2011, Macroom Oatmeal was added to the Slow Food's Ark of Taste. The Ark of Taste is like a special list. It helps protect foods that are unique and important to a culture. By 2019, Macroom Oatmeal was one of only twelve Irish foods chosen for this list.
History of Macroom Oatmeal
The mill where Macroom Oatmeal is made has a long history. The same family has run it since the 1700s. That's over 300 years of making oatmeal!
Today, Donal Creedon runs the mill. He is the great-great-great-great-grandson of the person who started it, Richard Walton. This shows how important family tradition is to Macroom Oatmeal.
A famous chef named Myrtle Allen also helped with Macroom Oatmeal. She won a special award called a Michelin star. Chef Allen created a recipe for Macroom Biscuits. This recipe is even printed on the oatmeal package!
How Macroom Oatmeal Is Made
Macroom Oatmeal is made in a special way. First, the oats are stone-ground. This means they are crushed slowly between large stones. This method helps keep more of the oat's natural goodness.
After being stone-ground, the oats are kiln-toasted. A kiln is a type of oven. Toasting the oats in a kiln gives them a unique, nutty flavor. This special process makes Macroom Oatmeal different from other types of oatmeal.
