Oatmeal vs Oats
The simplest way to differentiate between oatmeal and oats is to recognize that oats are the grain, while oatmeal is a dish prepared using this grain. Oats can be prepared in various ways for human consumption and are considered to be very healthy. Oatmeal is one such dish made using oats. The grain is available in the market in different forms, including rolled oats, quick oats, and oat flour.
What are Oats?
Oats are grains obtained from a cereal grain plant. When oats are harvested, they must be milled. Grains are known for their high nutrient value, so to preserve these nutrients, only the outer shell, known as the hull, is removed during milling. This is because the hull is inedible. After the hull is removed, oats are steamed, heated, and cooled in a furnace to bring out their flavor. Then, the oats undergo various processes to produce different oat food types.
Some oats are steamed and rolled into flakes to make rolled oats. Others are steamed for longer and rolled into smaller pieces to make quick oats. Since quick oats have been steamed for longer and have smaller flakes, they are quicker to prepare, making them a popular breakfast item. Alternatively, oats can be ground and sieved to make oat flour, which is used to make bread and cakes.
What is Oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from oats. Traditional porridge was always made with oats. To make oatmeal, oats are first boiled, and then milk, water, or both are added to the boiled grain. This dish is considered very nutritious, and many people around the world eat oatmeal for breakfast due to its health benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Oats are the grains from a cereal plant, while oatmeal is a type of porridge made using oats.
- Oats are available in different forms, such as rolled oats, quick oats, and oat flour, and are used to prepare various dishes, including oatmeal.
- Oatmeal is a nutritious meal often consumed for breakfast due to its health benefits.
