About Irish Steel Cut Oats
There is nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day. Mothers have always said that oatmeal sticks to your ribs. That is true, in a sense. Oatmeal is full of fiber, so it keeps you full longer than a slice of white bread or a sugar-filled donut. Rolled oats is the popular choice, but if you want a healthier choice, consider Irish steel cut oats.
Identification
Steel cut oats come from the whole grain inner portion of the oat kernel. Steel discs cut the kernels into two or three pieces. The oats look like golden rice. Steel cut oats are called coarse-cut oats, oat groats, Irish oats and Scotch oats. Rolled oats are hulled, steamed, and then flattened using steel rollers. The processing used for rolled oats takes away some of the goodness, according to Netrition.com.
Benefits
Irish steel cut oats are high in the B-Vitamins, calcium, protein and fiber. One fourth of a cup of oats is 150 calories and contains four grams of fiber. Fiber is important to the diet because it helps remove bad cholesterol and absorbs water, slowing down the digestive process. Because the oats give a filling of fullness for a longer period, you are apt to eat less.
Geography
Irish steel cut oats is a product of the British Isles where the weather is cool and moist. These conditions are perfect for growing oats because it allows for a slow ripening process. The rivers are acid-rain free creating healthy irrigation. The well-known company, McCann's, contracts out to local farms for their oats.
Considerations
Irish steel cut oats take longer to cook than rolled oats. The McCann Company suggests that you soak the oats overnight. Bring four cups of water to boil, add one cup of oats, stir, turn off the heat, cover, and set aside for the night. In the morning, bring the cereal to boil again and cook until tender. This will quicken the cooking time. You can also cook the oats in the microwave or in a rice cooker.
Types
McCann's Irish steel cut oats is easy to find. It's available in the health food section of most grocery stores. McCann's is a reputable company that has sold steel cut oats to the United States for 150 years. The company offers a number of types of oats for your convenience. The original oats come in a 28-ounce can. McCann's also sells quick cooking oatmeal that cooks in five minutes, instant oatmeal, sugar-free instant oatmeal and oat bran.
Tags: Irish steel oats, steel oats, Irish steel, instant oatmeal, Irish Steel
