Rye, whose scientific and original name is Secale cereale in Latin, and is well known as centeno Spanish, is a grass grown as cereal grain, commonly related to wheat and barley.

Historically, rye grain plant has been mainly grown in the area known now as Turkey. Over the years many producers from all around the world started its production in areas where the land was suitable for cultivation, which starts in winter and begins to grow in autumn. In spring, the plants develop and produce their harvest. Rye grows better than any other cereal member of the "wheat tribe" on heavy clay and light sandy and infertile or drought-affected soils.

Direct uses and industrial applications

Rye is generally used in family houses. There is a wide variety of foods that can be made from rye such as sourdough bread with rye flour (usually combined with wheat and barley), water and cereals.

Many industries use rye to produce alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, beer, liquor and vodka. Other uses of rye grain include kvass (Nordic drink) and an herbal medicine known as rye grass pollen extract.

Market overview and production

In Argentina, after a genetic improvement, rye it climbed up high with his “older brothers”: wheat, barley, rice, corn and oats, and it became an important crop for the agricultural industry. Nowadays there are between 300,000 and 400,000 hectares of rye, distributed mainly among the provinces of Córdoba, La Pampa, San Luis and Buenos Aires.

Frequently asked questions

What is rye? Is a grass that is extensively sown as grain, to produce fodder for animal consumption, and for grain production, to be industrialized for human consumption.

Where does rye grow? Rye grows primarily in Eastern, Central and Northern Europe. It is also grown in North America (Canada and the United States), in South America (Argentina, Brazil and Chile), in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).

How can rye be known in different languages? Centeno in Spanish, Centeio in Portuguese, Roggen in German and Segale in Italian.

How can I use rye at home? With rye grains it is possible to make cereals, cooked as “rice” or simply eaten with yoghurt or milk (sometimes known as rye berries), and with rye flour is possible to make sourdough bread.

Does rye have gluten? Rye is high in fiber and gluten proteins, therefore is not suggested for a gluten-free diet.

When to plant rye grass? Rye sown in autumn shows rapid growth. During the summer solstice, the plants reach their maximum height.

Is rye bread whole grain? Most commercial breads have unbleached enriched flour as main ingredient, second ingredient is water and third rye flour. Hence, if possible, is recommended to prepare a homemade rye bread.

How is rye used in distilleries? Distilleries use rye to produce whiskey (American, Canadian and bourbon in smaller proportions respectively), vodka (Poland is the main rye vodka producer in the world) and beer (in proportion, beers are mostly made of barley).

What other species can be related to rye? Within this genus would be barley, oats, wheat, among others.

Where can I purchase rye seeds in bulk? You can purchase at Directoro direct from producers.

Related products and ideas

Make rye bread at home. You need: 200 g rye flour, plus extra for dusting, 200 g strong white flour, 7 g sachet dried yeast, 1/2 tsp fine salt, 1 tbsp honey or sugar, warm water.

Mix dry and wet ingredients separately and then mix all together to form a dough. Place the dough in a covered bowl and leave to rise in a warm place for 1-2 h, or until roughly doubled in size.

Tip the dough back onto your work surface and knead briefly to knock out any air bubbles. Leave to rise for a further 1 – 1.5 h, or until doubled in size.

Heat oven to 220 °C / 200 °C. Bake for 30 min until dark brown and hollow sounding when tapped. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and leave to cool for at least 20 mins before serving.