What are millets?

Millets are coarse grains which have been traditionally grown and eaten in the Indian subcontinent for the last 5000 years. They contain high nutritional value and are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibres. Unlike other cereals, millets require little water buy millet muesli and ground fertility. They have long enjoyed the tag of “poor man’s food grain” due to its sheer affordability. However, of late, it has come into the notice of fitness-centric youngsters who are learning the wellness potential of this humble food.

Millets are generally divided into two broad categories –

1. Naked grains
   Naked grains refer to the three popular millet types which are devoid of the hard, indigestible husk that some millets have. Namely, Ragi, Jowar and Bajra. These millets don’t require processing after harvest; they can simply be used after being cleaned. These are the major millet types which are largely cultivated and quite popular because of this ease of use.
2. Husked grains
   Foxtail millets, Little millets and Kodo millets belong to this second type. These millet types consist of an indigestible seed coat. The husk on them needs to be removed before they are fit for human consumption. Once done by hand, these millets soon fell out of favour since the processing of these grains was never mechanised the way it was done for rice and other types of cereals.

Millets contain a host of micronutrients such as iron, calcium and phosphorus. Also, they take time to digest, which don’t cause the blood sugar spike associated with easily digestible food. Introducing millet into your diet can help you control diabetes for the same reason.

Millets are not only good for us but the environment too, as they are largely rain-fed crops and do not put pressure on our already diminishing water resources. Additionally, these grain crops do not attract pests and so, can grow perfectly well without the use of pesticides.