Did You Know?
Oats (Avena sativa) were initially considered a weed in more favored grain crops before they became a desired grain in their own right. Sowing wild oats was therefore considered a bad thing to do. Oat is a member of the Poaceae family of grass which includes many of our most important cereal crops such as wheat, rice, barley, maize, and millet. Indications of wild oats being consumed dates back to 9000 BC with domesticated versions appearing much later at around 1000 BC.
Types of Oats
Avena sativa – the common oat is the most widely cultivated oat species. Other species of oats that are cultivated include Avena abyssinica –native to Ethiopia, Avena byzantina, a minor crop in Greece and a few other countries, and Avena nuda a hulless oat mostly grown in Europe. There are also many varieties of common oats that have been developed including some developed by Texas A&M University targeting the Texas climate like TAMO 606 a cold hardy winter oat, TAMO 411 a mid season winter oat and TX180CS9125 used primarily as a forage plant. Texas farmers plant over 400,000 acres of oats annually. Most of the oats are grown for forage but about 50,000 acres are grown for grain and yield about 2 million bushels per year.
When to Plant
In Central Texas, most oats are grown through the winter and planted between October and November. Oat seeds are planted 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches between seeds. Oats take 80 to 110 days to mature depending on variety and weather conditions. The plants generally require less fertilizer and pesticides than other cereal crops and vegetables. Oats sown thickly can outcompete many weeds and are sometimes used as a winter cover crop in orchards and vineyards reducing erosion and aerating the soil plus providing green manure when mowed and turned under in the Spring.
Harvest and Storage
When mature, oat stalks turn yellow or brown, and the seed heads droop and feel dry. Cut the stalks and hang them to dry further, then thresh the seeds from the hulls by hand. Freeze the seeds for a couple of days if there is any sign of pests. Seeds can be further dried, if necessary, in a low oven. Dehull the oats by pounding or rubbing and then winnow to remove the hulls. Whole oats will keep for years stored in an airtight container in a cool dark location. Cut or rolled oats will also keep for a year or so in a cool dark location but will keep even longer if frozen. If your breakfast oatmeal tastes a bit bland, try toasting the oats in a dry skillet or the oven to boost the flavor. Oats make an interesting substitute for breadcrumbs in many recipes – try them in meatloaf or meatballs. And don’t forget, oatmeal makes a wonderful cookie – it’s whole grain and I count it as a healthy treat. Oak milk is second only to almond milk as a substitute for regular milk. Regular consumption of oats (not necessarily in cookie form) reduces the risk of heart disease and helps with blood sugar control. The high fiber content of oats helps with weight management and helps maintain healthy gut bacteria.
By: Michael Vidrine
5 Tips for Wine and Oats
