Tritordeum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tritordeum |
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| Tritordeum | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Pooideae
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| Genus: |
× Tritordeum
Asch. & Graebn.
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× T. martinii
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| Binomial name | |
| × Tritordeum martinii A. Pujadas
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Tritordeum is a special type of grain. It's a new plant created by mixing two different plants together. Think of it like a new recipe made from two existing ingredients! Scientists crossed a type of wheat called durum wheat with a wild kind of barley called Hordeum chilense.
This new grain has some cool features. It has less of a protein called gliadin (which is part of gluten) than regular wheat. But don't worry, it still works great for making bread! Bread made with Tritordeum rises well and has a nice texture. People who taste it often like it even more than gluten-free breads.
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What Makes Tritordeum Special?
Tritordeum is not just good for baking; it's also healthier in some ways.
Health Benefits
- It has ten times more lutein than regular wheat. Lutein is good for your eyes.
- It contains more oleic acid. This is a healthy fat, like the one found in olive oil.
- It has more fiber. Fiber helps your body digest food and keeps you feeling full.
Because of these things, foods made from Tritordeum often have a nice yellow color. They also have a pleasant, unique taste.
How it Was Created
Scientists in Spain started working on Tritordeum a long time ago, in 1977. They worked at the Spanish National Research Council. Later, in 2013, a company called Agrasys helped bring this new grain to the market. This company was started with help from the University of Barcelona.
Where Tritordeum Grows
Tritordeum is now grown in several countries. You can find it planted in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Turkey. About 1,300 hectares (that's like 3,200 acres) of land are used to grow it.
This grain is special because it grows well in hot and dry places. It needs less water than wheat. This water-saving ability is a big deal! Because it helps save water, Tritordeum won an award in 2018. It received the first prize for a "Sustainable Ingredient" at the Sustainable Food Awards. This award recognized it as an ingredient that is good for the planet.
See also
In Spanish: Tritordeum para niños
