FoodNet

Domestic science, principles and application

1914

Page 28

Presented as published in 1914. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Wheat flour (spring) . Wheat flour (winter) Entire wheat flour. . Graham flour Pearl barley Rye meal Rice Buckwheat flour Macaroni Protein Fat Starch Mineral matter 15.6 7.3 68.0 1.9 8.9 2.2 75.1 0.9 11.8 1.1 75.0 0.5 10.4 1.0 75.6 0.5 14.2 1.9 70.6 1.2 13.7 2.2 70.3 2.0 9.3 1.0 77.6 1.3 7.1 0.9 78.5 0.8 7.8 0.4 79.4 0.4 6.1 1.0 77.2 1.4 11.7 1.6 72.9 3.0 Water 7.2 12.9 11.6 12.5 12.1 11.8 10.8 12.7 12.4 14.3 10.8 Structure. — Most grains are covered with an outer husk of hard, indigestible fiber. This is removed either in the threshing process or in milling. Underneath this coat are (52) CARBOHYDRATES— CEREALS. RICE 53 the bran coats, which are rich in mineral matter and are sometimes removed with the husk. The rest of the kernel consists of the germ, which is the vital or living part of the grain, surrounded by a large food supply of starch and pro- tein. The germ is rich in fat and other nutrients. Food Value. — Cereals, containing much starch, are val- uable as heat and energy producers, and at the same time most cereals build and repair tissues, since they contain nitrogen. The great amount of carbohydrates in all cereals indicates that they should not be eaten alone, but along with other foods richer in fat and protein. On the whole, cereals are well absorbed in the body, ranking in that respect next to, and in some cases even above, the animal foods. This fact, combined with their compactness and richness in nutrients and their abundance and cheapness, places them in the front rank of human food. Wheat breakfast foods are quite similar to graham and whole-wheat flours in composition, and are about equal to them in nutritive value. Oats are sold principally as oatmeal or rolled oats. Oat- meal is richer in food material than some other cereal foods, but, on account of its fiber, is not completely digested. It should be very thoroughly cooked. It is best adapted to strong, hard-working people. Of all cereal foods cornmeal furnishes the largest amount of energy for a given cost. It is less digestible than wheat flour, owing to its coarse nature. Breakfast foods prepared from corn are, at reasonable prices, economical materials. Rice is almost pure starch and, being notably deficient in protein and fat, as compared with wheat and oats, needs to be eaten with cream or butter. Buckwheat and rye are similar to cornmeal as sources of protein and energy, but are more expensive. 54 DOMESTIC SCIENCE Table for Cooking of Cereals Kind Oatmeal Rice Rice Hominy Wheat mixtures Amount 1 C. 1 C. 1 C. 1 C. 1 C. Water Twice as much 4 or 5 times as much 4 or 5 times as much 4 times as much 4 times as much Salt Method 1 tsp. Steam 2 or 3 tsp. Steam 2 or 3 tsp. Boil 1 tsp. Steam 1 tsp. Steam Time 4 to 5 hrs. 2 to 3 hrs. 1 hr. 4 to 5 hrs. 1 to 3 hrs. The prepared breakfast foods give directions and time for cooking on the package, but in most cases longer cook- ing is necessary.