Millet is the Whole Grains Council ?Grain of the Month? for November! In celebration, we?re passing along some fun facts about millet!
The varieties of Millet abound! There are records of millet being grown in Asia as far back as 2000 to 1000 B.C. Millet is truly an ancient grain. Pearl millet is a staple of cuisine in Africa and has grown in the Savannah since prehistoric times. Proso millet thrives in temperate climates such as Russia, Argentina, Australia, and the U.S. In the 18th century, Proso was introduced from Europe into the Americas. Sportsmen in the states may recognize Browntop millet as bird feed, quail feed, or even seed for hay pastures. Other types of millet include: Foxtail millet, Barnyard millet, Little millet, and Kodo millet. Around the world, millet has been important staple of diets for generations. It is time the U.S. let millet go to more than the birds!
Colorado is the highest producer of millet accounting for 60% of the millet grown in this country. Today, more and more people are consuming millet because of its many benefits, including being a gluten-free grain. We are happy to report some creative brewers are using millet as a cornerstone for great tasting beer that is also gluten-free.
Here at Grouse Malting and Roasting, we have found White Proso Millet to be the champion of them all because it produces fantastic results in the brew house.
To millet! Zum Wohl!
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Picture: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/photos-of-different-millets
Further Reading: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/millet-and-teff-november-grains-of-the-month
Further Reading: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/millet.html