Why buckwheat is so loved in Russia and why foreigners don't eat it

Buckwheat is an inexpensive and healthy grain, a frequent guest in the diet of the average Russian. We get used to eating buckwheat from childhood. However, although Western countries rank it as a useful product, they do not favor this cereal too much. Why foreigners do not eat buckwheat, but in Russia they love it, we will tell further.

The history of the appearance and distribution of buckwheat

Buckwheat does not require special care when growing. Thanks to unpretentiousness it has long been cultivated on the territory of Southern Siberia, in the Himalayas and Altai, as well as in Northern India.

To this day, historians and archaeologists report burial finds that date back to centuries BC, where fossilized buckwheat grains are present. It grew in any climatic conditions - even where other crops did not produce crops.

Where does buckwheat come from in Russia

Gradually, the unique groats spread further and further. Buckwheat gained particular popularity among the Slavic peoples... She came to them in the XIII century. The grain crop not only gave rich and tasty harvests, but also drove weeds from fields and vegetable gardens. Over time, buckwheat dishes acquired the status of national among the Slavs. The most popular is still buckwheat porridge.

The name of the culture is Greek... Local monks, who came to Russia on a missionary mission, taught the population to plant grains and prepare food from them. In their homeland, in Greece, "Byzantine grain" was consumed only by the lower strata of the population.

Why buckwheat is so loved in Russia

The secret of buckwheat popularity on the territory of our country is simple - it is tasty, cheap and healthy. Buckwheat contains a large amount of vitamins B, PP, E, protein, organic acids, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, calcium and much more. For its rich composition, buckwheat is called the queen of cereals.

The diet of athletes and people on diets does not do without buckwheatwho want to lose weight. The grain culture is stored for a long time. Many of our compatriots bought this particular product during the 2014 crisis. This phenomenon has been nicknamed "buckwheat hype."

Unpretentiousness of buckwheat ensures its naturalness... When growing cereals, there is no need to use chemicals for fertilization or protection from pests and weeds. Buckwheat is one of the most environmentally friendly products.

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Where else do they eat buckwheat

Cereals continue to be consumed throughout the territory of historical growth... The exceptions are India and Nepal, where buckwheat is rarely found on the market.

Interesting! You will be shocked, but in the United States, groats are sold mainly in pet stores. It is used as animal feed. Although sometimes buckwheat is found on supermarket shelves.

China is considered the world leader in the cultivation of grain crops... Previously, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire also considered buckwheat to be a non-prestigious food. But with the increasing popularity of healthy lifestyles and proper nutrition, more and more Chinese doctors recommend using buckwheat as tea.Buckwheat tea has many unique properties: it fights high blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels, and also improves the condition of the skin and preserves youth.

In other eastern countries, namely in Japan and Korea, buckwheat is common as flour... The Japanese still make soba (buckwheat noodles) from it.

In addition to Slavic and Asian peoples, the inhabitants of Israel use buckwheat... The Jewish people lived on the territory of the Russian Empire for a long period of time, which affected their taste preferences.

In the West, only Poles stand out among fans of grain crops... In Poland, there is a popular Greek dish, which is made from minced meat with the addition of boiled cereals.

Why is brown buckwheat not found in stores abroad?

We are accustomed to the fact that buckwheat has a brown, nutty color. However in Europe, pale green groats are found on the shelves... Why is this and which buckwheat is healthier?

Buckwheat eaten, after removing the outer dark shell from the cereal... Under it is a greenish core.

In Russia, raw green buckwheat is subjected to additional heat treatment... There are several reasons for this:

1. Such cereals cook faster.
2. Provides additional protection against pathogens found on unprocessed foods.
3. Roasted buckwheat becomes a beautiful dark or light brown color and takes on a nutty flavor.

Buckwheat is sold in Europe, which is not heat treated... So the cereal retains even more useful properties and does not lose nutrients. However, it is fair to say that when frying, the decrease in useful trace elements is insignificant.

How much does it cost in Russia and other countries

The highest cost of cereals is in Montenegro - about 370 rubles / kg, the lowest in the Russian Federation - 40-50 rubles / kg. Other countries where buckwheat is cheap include:

• Ukraine - on average 65 rubles / kg;
• Uzbekistan - 100 rubles / kg;
• Belarus - 120 rubles / kg;
• Latvia - 135 rubles / kg;
• Kazakhstan - 180 rubles / kg.

According to experts, in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus, an increase in prices for buckwheat is expected in the near future. This is due to the rise in the cost of fuel, which is necessary for agricultural machinery and transportation, and the rise in prices for fertilizers.

In which countries, besides Montenegro, the price of buckwheat "bites":

• Bulgaria - 300 rubles / kg;
• USA - 300 rubles / kg;
• South Africa - 330 rubles / kg;
• Australia - 350 rubles / kg.

Why buckwheat is not eaten in Europe

In America and Western European countries, buckwheat was considered livestock feed due to its unpretentiousness... Some experts around the world are sure that buckwheat porridge, cooked without adding salt, tastes bitter and has a chemical aftertaste. It turns out that for any adult who first tastes such porridge, it really seems bitter and unpleasant. Only for those people who are accustomed to it since childhood, cooked cereal does not cause discomfort.

There is another reason, according to which the inhabitants of Western Europe do not include buckwheat in their daily diet. They consider this cereal to be a medicinal product and is often sold only in pharmacies at high prices.

Read also:

What the body lacks if you constantly want buckwheat

The benefits of eating buckwheat with kefir on an empty stomach in the morning

What cereals do Europeans prefer

If Europeans and Americans do not cook buckwheat-based dishes, what are they replacing it with?

Cereals preferred abroad:

1. Wheat... Tops the rating of the most popular cereals in the world - products from durum cereals are found in absolutely any country.
2. Oats Is a whole crop rich in natural antioxidants that protect and stimulate the cardiovascular system.
3. Rice... Various varieties (the most useful of which are deservedly considered black and red) of this cereal crop are popular around the globe.
4. Barley... Unpolished particles of barley are recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems and overweight.
5. Corn kernels... Nutritious and healthy corn grits are rich in fiber and protein.

Why buckwheat is useful and why is it worth eating

The benefits of buckwheat lie in its rich composition.:

• vitamins - A, B, PP, E;
• macro- and microelements: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, silicon, sodium, chlorine, iodine, copper, manganese and others;
• protein, fiber, flavonoids;
• plant antioxidants: rutin, vitexin, quercetin.

Buckwheat must be included in the diet and consumed regularly... This cereal:

• normalizes hormones, blood sugar and blood pressure;
• raises the level of hemoglobin;
• enhances immunity;
• removes toxins, toxins and excess cholesterol from the body.

Nutritionists are confident that buckwheat is a panacea for obesity, and doctors advise people who have problems with the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems to eat buckwheat. Groats have anti-aging properties - it improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

Conclusion

In Europe and America, buckwheat is skeptical. In the West, it has long been considered food for the lower strata of the population; in the United States, it is used as feed for livestock and birds. However, even Europeans recognize its exceptional usefulness, and in many countries, buckwheat is found on the shelves of pharmacies and health food stores. Indeed, buckwheat must be included in the diet, as it has a positive effect on the body as a whole.