Wheat vs. Barley
Main DifferenceCereals are taken as the important part of human diet across the globe, with their easy storage and carbohydrate presence they are produced across the globe. Cereals are also the staple food, and it have many products under it, depending on yourself what you opt to eat. Actually cereals are the grass that are cultivated for its edible components. Wheat and Barley are two types of commonly consumed cereals across the globe, they are also considered as staple foods. Both of these cereals belong to the similar order, family and tribe and that is why people often get confuse in between them. The most notable difference between these crops is that wheat is a Triticum genus cereal, and barley is a Hordeum genus crop.
Difference Between Wheat and Barley
Wheat vs. Barley
Wheat is a Triticum genus cereal, and barley is a Hordeum genus crop.
Wheat vs. Barley
In the mulled form or as a flour, wheat is used for making biscuits, breads, cookies, pasta, noodles, Chappati and other breakfast cereals, whereas barley is used as one of the basic ingredients used for formation of beer and other alcoholic beverages and is also used as livestock fodder largely.
Wheat vs. Barley
Barley doesn’t need to be milled for cooking or baking purpose like wheat it can be easily cooked as rice.
Wheat vs. Barley
Barley has a lower protein content as compare to the wheat and has a higher fiber content than the wheat.
Wheat vs. Barley
Barley is harvested in the warmer season, on the other hand, wheat thrives in cooler seasons.
Wheatnoun
(countable) Any of several cereal grains, of the genus Triticum, that yields flour as used in bakery.
Barleynoun
A cereal of the species Hordeum vulgare, or its grains, often used as food or to make beer and other malted drinks.
Wheatnoun
(uncountable) A light brown colour, like that of wheat.
Barleynoun
a grain of barley
Wheatadjective
Wheaten, of a light brown colour, like that of wheat.
Barleynoun
cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and grain
Wheatnoun
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
Wheatnoun
grains of common wheat; sometimes cooked whole or cracked as cereal; usually ground into flour
Comparison Chart
| Wheat | Barley |
| Wheat is a Triticum genus crop. | Barley is a Hordeum genus crop. |
| Scientific Name | |
| Triticum aestivum | Hordeum vulgare |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom: Plantae and Order: Poales Family: Poaceae and Subfamily: Pooideae Tribe: Triticeae and Genus: Triticuma | Kingdom: Plantae and Order: Poales Family: Poaceae and Subfamily: Pooideae Tribe: Triticeae and Genus: Hordeum |
| Usage | |
| Wheat is used for making biscuits, breads, cookies, pasta, noodles, Chappati and other breakfast cereals. | Barley is used as one of the basic ingredients used for formation of beer and other alcoholic beverages and is also used as livestock fodder largely. |
| Harvested | |
| Wheat is harvested in the summer months. | Barley is harvested in the warmer season. |
What is Wheat?
Wheat is a type of cereal grain which was primarily being cultivated in Levant region but now it is being cultivated across the globe. It is one of the most produced cereals worldwide after maize and rice. Around some years back rice were the second most produced cereals after maize but the increase in rice production made it move to the third most produced cereal grain. Wheat is also regarded as one of the staple foods that is because it is the leading source of vegetal protein in human food. It possess higher proteins than the other largely produced cereal grains like maize and rice. When it is about the human usage of crops as food, wheat is the second most consumed cereal grain after rice. Some of the famous types of wheat harvested are, hard red wheat, soft red wheat, and, durum wheat. Wheat thrives best in the cool weather and when it is ready to be harvested it turns of brown or golden hue. For cooking or baking purposes, wheat is being mulled. In the mulled form or as a flour wheat is used for making biscuits, breads, cookies, pasta, noodles, Chappati and other breakfast cereals. Wheat is a prominent source of vitamins, protein, and minerals and that is why it is a staple food.
What is Barley?
Barley is a type of cereal grain that is taken as a procure cereals and is also used as livestock fodder largely. Other than that the most prominent usage of barley is that it is used as one of the basic ingredients used for formation of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Barley has a stronger taste than the wheat that is why it is preferred over the latter when it is about using it as a primary ingredient for using it in alcoholic beverages. It has a lower protein content as compare to the wheat and has a higher fiber content than the wheat. Barley doesn’t need to be milled for cooking or baking purpose like wheat it can be easily cooked as rice. It is highly recommended for the one suffering from lower bad (LDL) cholesterol or the one wanting to lose the weight. Other than that it is also seen as an essential diet for the diabetic patients.
