Millet

From the Seed to the Plate: Exploring the Creation and Journey of Millet

As one of the oldest grains in the world, millet, the seed-like grain harvested for use as a food source, has a long and fascinating history behind it. A staple in the diets of many cultures and consumed by humans for centuries, millet’s journey from the farm to the dinner plate is carefully orchestrated and complex. Let’s take a look at how a millet is created, where it comes from and how it makes its way from the farm to the dinner plate.

The Genesis of Millet

Millet is a small, grass-like seed and a type of cereal grain that belongs to the Poaceae family. Millet has grown wild and been cultivated since ancient times, and it is currently the sixth most important cereal grain crop on the planet. As a cereal grain, millet is the result of the domestication of a species of wild grass, which helps to explain why it pops up in cultures all around the world, including in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. World Millet Production Map

Source: World Production Map, FAO (2004)

Millet is considered to be a very hardy crop, as it is able to survive and thrive in harsh environmental conditions in which other crops may fail, such as extremely hot and dry climates. Millet is often grown in semi- arid or high-elevation regions and as a type of annual grass, it can produce high yields in a relatively short period of time.

From Planting to Harvesting

Once harvested, millet is separated into two categories: head and pearled. The head millet is harvested in its whole, unprocessed form and the pearled millet has been decorticated and polished to remove any outer husk or hull. Depending on the specific variety of millet, planting and harvesting times can vary slightly, however all types are usually planted in the early spring and harvested in the late summer or early fall.

When planted, millet seeds are typically spread into heavily prepared soil which has been loosened and tilled. Then, a seeder machine is often used to plant the millet seeds in a single line at 1-2 inches apart. In addition, the millet beds are often mulched and grass-weed populations need to be managed to ensure optimal growing conditions for the millet.

When it comes to harvesting the millet stalks, a harvester machine is often used to cut through the millet stalks and separate the heads of the grain. Once this has been done, the millet grain can then be further processed through a grain dryer to reduce the harvested millet’s moisture levels.

From Farm to Market

Once harvested and processed, millet grain is then often sent off to other locations to be sold in grocery stores or restaurants. Millet can be stored for a long time without spoiling, so many mills and operations seek to keep large amounts of millet on hand at all times.

Typically, millet is sold by either larger businesses or individual farms directly to the marketplace. This could include supermarkets and groceries, specialty stores, foodservice operations and more. As millet is gaining popularity as a health food, more facilities are expanding to encompass the grain’s production, so distribution is becoming increasingly accessible across the globe.

From Market to Plate

Once purchased, millet can be cooked in a variety of ways including boiling, baking or steaming. Millet is especially popular in dishes such as bread, pilaf, pancakes and porridge. It can also be added as a topping on salads and cooked dishes or it can be ground down into a flour and used to create cakes and pastries.

In some meals, different types of millet can be combined for more complex and robust flavors. Millet can also be pressed for oils or fermented for an alcoholic drink. Its versatility has contributed to its centuries-long presence in the global food scene.

Conclusion

The journey from seed to plate for millet can be complex and intertwined with numerous other processes. From farm production and harvesting to transportation, storage, marketing and its culinary applications, it can be difficult to understand the complete process behind millet’s success.

Fortunately, the ongoing science, technological advances and creativity around millet have helped to make it an increasingly popular dietary choice. With so many ways to consume millet, it is no surprise that it continues to find a place in many diets and culture across the world.