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Rye is rich in carbohydrates and fibre, and a good source of protein, but it also contains vitamins and minerals.

Find out more : Plant-based food: more accessible than ever

Health
benefits

Rye is a starchy food, part of an important, healthy and wide-ranging category. It is a cereal, rich in carbohydrates, which should count for 40-55% of our recommended daily energy intake, according to the recommendations of Anses (PNNS).

Rye is not only important for humans. Generally speaking, cereals play an important role in a sustainable diet, providing carbohydrates as well as plant proteins, vitamins and minerals. We need to incorporate more plant-based foods in our diet, both for the health of humans and of the planet, and rye can be part of this equation.

  • Rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps, among others, to reduce fatigue, keep our muscles working properly and maintain normal bone structure.
  • Rich in phosphorus. Phosphorus contributes to strong bones and healthy teeth, as well as energy metabolism.
  • Contains vitamin B3 or niacin. Niacin helps energy metabolism, the nervous system and psychological function. It also helps us to maintain normal skin and to counter fatigue.
  • Contains vitamin B9 or folic acid. Folic acid is essential during pregnancy and for normal psychological function and the immune system. It is also good against fatigue.

The right time
to eat it

Rye is harvested from April to May.

How it
is grown

Rye grows very easily, even in cold and difficult soil. There are several varieties, some growing to a height of 1.5m. The ear of rye resembles wheat but is slightly shorter, while its kernel is longer than a wheat kernel. Rye is a biennial herbaceous plant in the grass family (Paceae). It is green, turning golden when ripe.

Sowing takes place from September to October, with the seeds planted about 3cm apart. Rye can be grown in full sun and in all types of soil. It is harvested before wheat, from April to May. Rye is also lifted in spring for use as green manure. The grains reach maturity for flour in late June or early July.

In autumn, the seeds germinate and sprout, then stagnate during the winter frosts, but resume their growth as soon as spring arrives. The autumn growth thus compensates for the short spring in some parts of the world.

Choosing
and storing

Like all cereals, rye needs to be stored in a cool, dark place. Storage methods vary according to the type of warehouse.

If storage is temporary and for a limited time, the grain can be kept in sacks in a cool place. Once used in food products, shelf life varies depending on the product.

Tips
and tricks

Tips for avoiding waste

Did you know? Rye straw can be used as an insulating material, for example, in thatched roofs or for use in artisanal products.

Rye is an ancient crop but has given way to more traditional cereals whose flour is easier to use in making bread. But rye is still growing, especially organically, to make flour for rye bread. The grain is also used to make beer, whisky and gin.

As well as for bread, rye flour can also be used for pancakes, biscuits, and cakes.

What is the environmental
impact of rye?

We can find out more from its PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) score! This is a score established by Agribalyse*. It takes into account every stage in a vegetable’s life cycle: how it’s cultivated, what is the impact of processing and transport, etc. The lower the score, the less impact it has on the environment.

  • Whole rye, raw: 0.14
  • Raw beef steak: 2.77
*Figures drawn from the Agribalyse database, which calculates the environmental score of different types of food. This unique score is a weighted average of 16 indicators, calculated according to the European PEF methodology. It does not correspond to an environmental label or ‘eco-score’.

CO2 equivalent: for 100g of whole rye (raw), 0.072kg of CO2 eq, or as much as from 2.1g of raw beef steak.

seigle-impact-environnemental

Can everyone eat it?

Rye can gradually be incorporated into a child’s diet, with a slice of rye bread for example.

It can be a good way of varying tastes, as children often like its texture.

Where does it come from?
The origins and varieties of rye

Rye originated in the Near East, with the first traces of the cereal found in modern-day Turkey. Its cultivation then gradually spread to Europe, including Germany and Poland, where it was widely grown. There are three main varieties, each including different species: population rye, hybrid rye and synthetic rye:

  • Conduct
  • Evolo
  • Festus
  • Rasant
  • Picasso
  • Caroass