What Are The Differences Between Minute Oats And Regular Oats?

Oats are among the most nutritious of all grains; they're valued throughout the world as a food for humans and as superior fodder for horses. The're available at your supermarket in several forms, from the old-fashioned large flakes to instant or "minute" oats. Each variety is similar in nutritive value, but differences in the milling process affect how long they cook.

Milling Oats

Like other grains, oats are enclosed in an husk of inedible fiber that must be removed before they're eaten. The hulled oats, called oat groats, can be processed in a number of ways for human consumption. If they're cut into coarse pieces, like cracked wheat, they're called "steel-cut" oats, which the Scots prefer for their porridge. If the groats are steamed first, they can be pressed between heavy rollers to make the familiar round flakes of oatmeal. Smaller quick-cooking oats are made by rolling steel-cut oats. Instant oats are made the same way; however, they're steamed longer and rolled thinner.

Cooking Oats

The primary difference between the types of rolled oats is cooking time. The original style of old-fashioned oatmeal, made from the whole groats, can take 20 to 30 minutes to cook to the correct consistency. Quick oats, milled from steel-cut groats, require only five to seven minutes of cooking. Instant or "minute" oats, with their thin flakes, can be ready to eat in just over one minute.

Oats in Baking

Aside from their appearance in the breakfast bowl, oats are most commonly encountered in baking. The large traditional oats are sometimes used in baking, most notably in breads and extra-healthy cookies. Quick oats are more common; they can be used freely in breads, quick breads, muffins and cookies. They break down quickly because of their smaller size, blending into the other ingredients more readily than their larger counterparts. Minute oats are often called for in cookies, muffins and granola bars; they're easier to chew.

Oats and Nutrition

Oats are one of the most nutritious of grains. They often play an important role in a healthy diet. Oats are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber; they have a demonstrated ability to lower blood cholesterol. Their glycemic index is low, and oats have a moderating effect on blood sugar. Oats contain more oil than other grains; they're also high in protein. As sources of potassium, phosphorus, iron and many other essential vitamins, traditional and quick oats are approximately equal in nutritive value.