What is the Difference Between Barley and Oats

that The main difference between barley and oats is that barley is a primary crop grown as a cereal grass whereas oats are a secondary crop derived from a weed of primary cereal grasses such as wheat and barley. Furthermore, the grains of barley are arranged in a spike while oats grow as small florets. 

Barley and oats are two types of cereal grains used for human consumption and as fodder. Barley is used in many healthy foods including soups, stews, bread, and beer while oats are used as oatmeal and rolled oats. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Barley
     – Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Oats
     – Definition, Features, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Barley and Oats
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Barley and Oats
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Avena, Barley, Dietary Fiber, Hordeum, Oats, Proteins

What is Barley 

Barley is a cereal crop of the grass family, producing one of the most popular cereal grains only suppressed by rice, wheat, and corn. Generally, barley is a whole-grain food. Therefore, the consumption of barley provides a high nutritional level. Moreover, it is rich in soluble fibre; hence, it can reduce both blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Besides, barley contains a very low amount of fat. 

Figure 1: Barley

Furthermore, mostly, barley grow in temperate climates. It is a component of healthy foods such as soups, stews, barley bread, barley flacks, etc. It is also commonly made into malt. Moreover, it serves as a material for the fermentation of beer and some other distilled beverages.  

What is Oats 

Oats is a secondary cereal crop and is among many of the cereal grains that humans consume. It is popular as a type of healthy food due to its high nutritional value. Generally, it is rich in proteins, dietary fibre, B vitamins, and dietary minerals such as manganese. Also, due to the presence of beta-glucans, it can lower cholesterol levels. Typically, the daily consumption of oats over weeks lower both LDL and total cholesterol levels. Thus, in turn, it reduces the risk of heart disease. However, a protein called avenins present in oats may trigger celiac disease in some individuals.

Figure 2: Oats

Oats is a product of a weed of the primary cereal domesticates. Therefore, these primary cereal crops such as wheat and barley always contaminate oats products. Sometimes, it is important as livestock feed. 

Similarities Between Barley and Oats 

• Barley and oats are two types of cereal crops used for both human consumption and as a fodder. 
• Also, both are monocots belonging to the subfamily Poodieae. 
• They grow in temperate regions.  
• Moreover, both are nutritious and contains proteins, dietary fibre, and B vitamins. 
• Both contain an inedible, fibrous, outer hull. 

Difference Between Barley and Oats 

Definition 

Barley refers to a hardy cereal with coarse bristles extending from ears, cultivated especially for use in brewing and stock feed, while oats refer to an Old world cereal plant with a loose, branched cluster of florets, cultivated in cool climates and widely used for animal feed. Thus, this is the basic difference between barley and oats.

Genus 

Moreover, barley belongs to the genus Hordeum, while oats belong to the genus Avena. 

Binomial Name 

The binomial name of barley is Hordeum vulgare, while the binomial name of oats is Avena sativa. 

Grown in 

Furthermore, barley is grown in all regions around the world in any climate, while oats are grown in various types of soils in cool and humid climates. 

Origin of the Crop 

Above all, the main difference between barley and oats is that while barley is a primary cereal crop, oats are a secondary cereal crop. 

Growth of Grains 

Also, another difference between barley and oats is that barley grows in spikes while oats grow in small florets. 

Importance 

Barley is used to produce many healthy foods including barley flacks, soups, stews, bread, and beer, while oats are used as oatmeal and rolled oats. 

Nutritional Value 

Besides, barley is rich in dietary fibre, manganese, and copper while oats are rich in proteins and minerals. Hence, this is the difference between barley and oats in terms of their nutritional value. 

Conclusion 

Barley is a type of cereal crop grown in most part of the world. Moreover, it is a primary cereal crop of the genus Hordeum. It is rich in dietary fibre and minerals. We can use barley as barley flacks, and in soups, bread, and bear. Meantime, oats is a secondary crop derived from a weed in cereal crops such as wheat and barley. Generally, oats are good for lowering blood cholesterol. However, the main difference between barley and oats is their origin and importance. 

References:

1. Ware, Megan. “Barley: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Diet, and Risks.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 15 Jan. 2018, Available Here.
2. Nordqvist, Joseph. “Oats: Health Benefits, Facts, Research.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 3 Jan. 2018, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Barley fruit” By I, Dschwen (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “SK-OatAvena-sativa” By SriMesh – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   

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