THE HISTORY OF WHEAT

Wheat was first cultivated in the Fertile Crescent around 10,000 years ago and became a staple crop supporting the rise of civilizations. From its origins, wheat spread globally, reaching ancient Egypt, where Egyptians developed yeast-leavened bread, and later Europe by 4000 BC. European colonists brought wheat to the Americas, where its cultivation eventually led to its status as a global staple food today. 

Origins and early cultivation

• Fertile Crescent:

  Wheat was first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent, an area in the Middle East. Early cultivated species included einkorn and emmer. 

• Spread:

  Cultivation spread from the Fertile Crescent starting around 8,000 BCE, reaching Egypt, India, and Greece. 

• Ancient Egypt:

  The ancient Egyptians were among the first to cultivate wheat on a large scale and develop large-scale baking, including yeast-leavened bread. 

Global expansion

• Asia and Europe:

  Wheat cultivation continued to spread, reaching China around 2600 BC and the British Isles by 4000 BC. 

• The Americas:

  European colonists introduced wheat to the Americas, with cultivation becoming a staple crop in the colonies and eventually the United States. 

• Industrial Revolution:

  The Industrial Revolution introduced steam-powered milling, which increased production capacity and made wheat more widely available. 

Modern wheat

• Hybridization:

  Modern bread wheat is a hybrid that originated from a series of hybridization events involving different wild grasses. 

• Global staple:

  Today, wheat is the most widely grown crop in the world and is a crucial food source, providing about 21% of the world's dietary calories.