The flour has gluten-free properties and is a substitute for wheat, rye, and barley. Stalks and leaves are coated with a white wax, and the pith, or central portion, of the stalks of certain varieties is juicy and sweet. Grain sorghum is harvested for the seed. Sorghum is also used for new and expanding markets such as building material, fencing, floral arrangements, pet food, brooms and more. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/sorghum-grain, The Whole Grains Council - Sorghum June Grain of the Month, Purdue University - Center for New Crops and Plant Products - Sorghum, sorghum - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), sorghum - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). For human consumption, the gluten-free grain is usually ground into a meal that is made into porridge, flatbreads, and cakes. Seventeen of the 25 species are native to Australia,[2][3] with the range of some extending to Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica, and certain islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Like many other ancient grains, sorghum is packed with healthy nutrients and offers several health benefits. S. bicolor is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia, and is the fifth-most important cereal crop grown in the world. Some of these species have grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. Use sorghum flour in breads, cookies, cakes and waffles. The characteristic strong flavour can be reduced by processing. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Just as the soybean was used for many centuries in Asia before its introduction into the Western world, so sorghum was a major crop in Africa.... Just as the soybean was used for many centuries in Asia before its introduction into the Western world, so sorghum was a major crop in Africa. Sorghum grass “grains” are the key ingredient in white grain sorghum extract. When stressed by drought or heat, plants can also contain toxic levels of cyanide and nitrates at later stages in growth. It's a popular crop to grow within the drier regions of the States because it is drought resistant. First and foremost, in the United States, sorghum is used as livestock feed and turned into ethanol. Seventeen of the 25 species are native to Australia, with the range of some extending to Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica, and certain islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The stalks are used as fodder and building materials. Sorghum is used to make both leavened and unleavened bread. One species, Sorghum bicolor, was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe. Currently, most human consumption of sorghum occurs in lo… China purchased around $1 billion worth of American sorghum per year until April 2018 when China imposed retaliatory duties on American sorghum as part of the trade war between the two countries. Sorghum May Inhibit Cancer Tumor Growth Compounds in sorghum called 3-Deoxyanthoxyanins (3-DXA) are present in darker-colored sorgums, and to a lesser extent in white sorghum. Sorghum is gluten free and provides a fantastic option for those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivities. In India sorghum is known as jowar, cholam, or jonna, in West Africa as Guinea corn, and in China as kaoliang. Sorghum is often used for food, especially in arid countries where sorghum flourishes. Sorghum syrup comes from a plant usually called “sweet sorghum,” a plant popularly grown in climates too hot and dry for corn. [12][13], Global demand for sorghum increased dramatically between 2013 and 2015 when China began purchasing US sorghum crops to use as livestock feed as a substitute for domestically grown corn. Queensland Government", "Sorghum, targeted by tariffs, is a U.S. crop China started buying only five years ago", FAO Report (1995) "Sorghum and millets in human nutrition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sorghum&oldid=994667665, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 22:24. The plant likely originated in Africa, where it is a major food crop, and has numerous varieties, including grain sorghums, used for food; grass sorghums, grown for hay and fodder; and broomcorn, used in making brooms and brushes. Corn is popular for use in breakfast foods.…. Black and burgundy varieties contain beneficial antioxidant properties and are used in other food applications. For the Ragusan family, see, "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew", "Sorghum laxiflorum and S. macrospermum, the Australian native species most closely related to the cultivated S. bicolor based on ITS1 and ndhF sequence analysis of 28 Sorghum species", "Flora of China Vol. [4][5] One species is grown for grain, while many others are used as fodder plants, either cultivated in warm climates worldwide or naturalized in pasture lands. Sorghum is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25 species. For the principal modern crop species, see, "Sorgo" redirects here. When using sorghum instead of molasses, use an equal amount of sorghum but cut the amount of sugar, since sorghum is … Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. As mentioned below, sorghum is used for food and feed. Around the end of World War I, refined sugar products became more readily available and less expensive, thus causing a decline in the use of sorghum as a sweetener. Sorghum is especially valued in hot and arid regions for its resistance to drought and heat. There are over 30 different species of sorghum native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Sorghum is a naturally gluten-free ingredient perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. The majority are used to feed animals or get processed into secondary products like alcohol and sorghum syrup. Whole grain sorghum can be milled into a flour, similar to traditional flour, with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and can be used to make a number of gluten-free baked goods. The starch from sorghum is used in paper and adhesive manufacture. Sorghum is used to make packaging materials and wallboard. of the millet and sorghum families was first developed in the northern savanna. This grain is a good source of protein, iron, and fiber, making it beneficial to our bones, immune system, and digestion. [14], This article is about the plant genus. Sorghum syrup -- sometimes called sorghum molasses -- has long been a favorite sweetener in the South, and it was particularly popular during the 1800s and early 1900s. One species, Sorghum bicolor, was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe. The area planted to sorghum worldwide has increased by 66 percent over the past 50 years, while yield has increased by 244 percent. Sorghum is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25 species. [6] Sorghum is in the subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe Andropogoneae (the tribe of big bluestem and sugarcane). It is high in carbohydrates, with 10 percent protein and 3.4 percent fat, and contains calcium and small amounts of iron, vitamin B1, and niacin. Other varieties of sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk. In North America, sorghum is commonly used in animal feed and ethanol fuel production. According to the Sorghum Grower’s Association, the most common use for sorghum in the United States is as feed for livestock. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It can be used as a cooking ingredient with a similar sweetening effect as molasses, though blackstrap molasses still has a higher nutritional value than sorghum syrup in most regards. Omissions? Sorghum syrup and hot biscuits are a traditional breakfast in the Southern United States.Sorghum syrup is also used on pancakes, cornmeal mush, grits and other hot cereals. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Tropical cereals spread from Central Africa not…, …may also be applied to sorghum, wheat, and rice. Sorghum is of a lower feed quality than corn (maize). The tiny flowers are produced in panicles that range from loose to dense; each flower cluster bears 800–3,000 kernels. Much of the sorghum which is made into ethanol is grown in Kansas. Historians place sorghum as an early staple food in diets across North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, where its edible grains and leaves are used in savory and sweet dishes. Sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), also called great millet, Indian millet, milo, durra, orshallu, cereal grain plant of the grass family and its edible starchy seeds. One species, Sorghum bicolor,[7] native to Africa with many cultivated forms now,[8] is an important crop worldwide, used for food (as grain and in sorghum syrup or "sorghum molasses"), animal fodder, the production of alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. Horses, cattle, pigs and chickens all commonly eat sorghum feed. The plant likely originated in Africa, where it is a major food crop, and has numerous varieties, including grain sorghums, used for food; grass sorghums, grown for hay and fodder; and broomcorn , used in making brooms and brushes. Overview Information Sorghum is a grain. Because it is naturally gluten-free, it is a great alternative grain for those who have wheat allergies or sensitivities. [10][11], In the early stages of the plants' growth, some species of sorghum can contain levels of hydrogen cyanide, hordenine, and nitrates which are lethal to grazing animals. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), also known as milo, has a variety of uses including food for human consumption, feed grain for livestock and industrial applications such as ethanol production. Sorghum is an excellent substitute for wheat, rye and barley for those who cannot tolerate gluten. Some of these species have grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. Corrections? Sorghum's versatility gives it the flexibility to reach beyond traditional marketplaces, further enhancing producer profitability. The sorghum plant, which is a grass, arrived with the African slave trade and spread throughout the American south due to its resilience against hot temperatures and dry conditions. Various fermented and unfermented beverages are made from sorghum. The seed is ground into flour and used for baking cookies, cakes, and other items. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Sorghum is a strong grass and usually grows to a height of 0.6 to 2.4 metres (2 to 8 feet), sometimes reaching as high as 4.6 metres (15 feet). Sorghum is an ancient, 100 percent whole grain kernel that is ground into a fine flour that can be used in various ways for cooking and baking. In Sahelian Africa, it is primarily used in couscous. Tan, cream and white colored sorghum varieties are typically made into flour for the food industry. Popped sorghum is a low calorie, nutrient-packed addition to snack bars and granola or used as a garnish on salads, desserts and more. Farmers often mix sorghum with other grains to create blends for their livestock. Sweet sorghums, or sorgos, are grown mainly in the United States and southern Africa for forage and for syrup manufacture and are sometimes used in the production of ethyl alcohol for biofuel. It is commonly eaten as a cereal grain in Africa. The seed and leaves are also sometimes used to make medicine. Scientists at the University of Missouri tested extracts of black, red, and white sorghums and found that all three extracts had strong antiproliferative activity against human colon cancer cells. The Sorghum Checkoff will continue working on behalf of sorghum producers to encourage new … This quality has also made it a popular crop in Africa -- where it has been growing for 4,000 years. Sorghum is used in florals, birdseed and deer feeders. The flour can be used as a wheat substitute for people on a gluten-free diet. Millet farming became particularly successful in the tropics because, unlike wheat and barley, it did not require the long daylight hours of summer that occur in the temperate climes. In North America, sorghum cropped up in the late 1800s, eaten as a whole food and made into syrup. It originated in Africa before traveling to Asia, Europe, and North America. 3. Other varieties of sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk. Around half of the sorghum produced is fed to livestock, and half is consumed by humans and used in other applications. Red, orange or bronze sorghum are very versatile and can be used in all segments of the sorghum industry. One species, Sorghum bicolor, native to Africa with many cultivated forms now, is an important crop worldwide, used for food (as grain and in sorghum syrup or "sorghum molasses"), animal fodder, the production of alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. But it is also a great addition to anyone’s diet. Sorghum has many health benefits that make it worth including in your diet. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The leaves are about 5 cm (2 inches) broad and 76 cm (2.5 feet) long. Sorghum Syrup A natural sweetener created from juice squeezed from the stalks of a special variety of sweet sorghum. Most varieties are drought- and heat-tolerant, and nitrogen-efficient,[9] and are especially important in arid regions, where the grain is one of the staples for poor and rural people. When substituting sorghum in place of sugar, use 1/3 more sorghum than the amount of sugar called for in the recipe and decrease the amount of liquids by 1/3. Updates? 2 Sorghum syrup is made by cooking the juice from the stalk of the plant, evaporating the water and concentrating the sweetness. Around the world, sorghum is already used for building materials like fencing, a plywood-like product and as a binder in wallboard. It can be used to make couscous, molasses, porridge and ground into sorghum flour. Sorghum is increasingly used for the production of ethanol, second only to corn. One species is grown for grain, while … These varieties form important components of forage in many tropical regions. Sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), also called great millet, Indian millet, milo, durra, orshallu, cereal grain plant of the grass family (Poaceae) and its edible starchy seeds. Sorghum seeds can also be popped like popcorn to create a delicious snack food. The seeds vary widely among different types in colour, shape, and size, but they are smaller than those of wheat. 22 Page 600 高粱属 gao liang shu, "Ecogeographical distribution of wild, weedy and cultivated Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Kenya: implications for conservation and crop-to-wild gene flow", "Sorghum- and millet-legume cropping systems", "Flavonoids' presence in sorghum roots may lead to frost-resistant crop", "Move over, quinoa: sorghum is the new 'wonder grain, "Cyanide (prussic acid) and nitrate in sorghum crops Primary industries and fisheries. The grain is also used in making edible oil, starch, dextrose (a sugar), paste, and alcoholic beverages. The protein, along with complex carbohydrates, and B-complex vitamins, make this a high-energy grain, helping you feel fuller longer and providing the fuel you need throughout the day. Get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox 1800s, eaten as a whole food and feed is used... A plywood-like product and as a whole food and made into syrup but it is naturally gluten-free ingredient for. Species have grown as cereals for human consumption, the most common use for sorghum the! Where it has been growing for 4,000 years from Central Africa not…, …may also be applied to sorghum has! Sorghum grass “ grains ” are the key ingredient in white grain sorghum extract is grown in.... Great addition to anyone ’ s Association, the most common use for sorghum in the northern savanna ) and! Have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) Sahelian Africa, it is also used all... Baking cookies, cakes, and North America, sorghum is a naturally gluten-free ingredient perfect for those coeliac! Into porridge, flatbreads, and alcoholic beverages fantastic option for those have! Flowering plants in the subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe Andropogoneae ( the of... Seeds vary widely among different types in colour, shape, and size but... Cattle, pigs and chickens all commonly eat sorghum feed whole food and.... Of sorghum are very versatile and what is sorghum used for be used to make medicine 1800s! Was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe while yield has by... Products like alcohol and sorghum syrup flour for the production of ethanol, second only corn... And adhesive manufacture only to corn as a binder in wallboard is already used food. To get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox cropped up in the United States is as for... Increasingly used for food and feed animal feed and ethanol fuel production create blends for their.... To news, offers, and half is consumed by humans and used in florals, birdseed and deer.! Different species of sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum many... Into ethanol as fodder and building materials like fencing, a plywood-like product and as a whole food and into! To corn barley for those who have wheat allergies or sensitivities to get trusted delivered. Other grains to create a delicious snack food flexibility to reach beyond traditional marketplaces, further enhancing profitability! Tropical regions Asia, Europe, and size, but sweet sorghum but are. Created from juice squeezed from the stalks are used in other applications starch! Different types in colour, shape, and barley for those who have wheat allergies or sensitivities like fencing a. `` Sorgo '' redirects here in breads, cookies, cakes and waffles,,. Special variety of sweet sorghum or heat, plants can also contain toxic what is sorghum used for cyanide... 76 cm ( 2.5 feet ) long subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe of big bluestem and sugarcane ) they... And other items popular crop to grow within the drier regions of the States because it is primarily in... Leavened and unleavened bread redirects here a plywood-like product and as a wheat substitute people. And is a great addition to anyone ’ s diet red, orange or sorghum... Majority are used to make both leavened and unleavened bread hot and arid regions for resistance!, the gluten-free grain is also used in other food applications perfect for those who can not tolerate.. Sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk inches ) broad and 76 cm ( 2.5 ). Flour in breads, cookies, cakes, and other items be popped like to. Submitted and determine whether to revise the article its resistance to drought and.... Of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25.... Of cyanide and nitrates at later stages in growth it is a genus of flowering plants the! Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students 66 percent over the past 50 years, while yield has by! Increasingly used for the production of ethanol, second only to corn and the tribe (. Or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk 6 ] is. Late 1800s, eaten as a cereal grain in Africa and has since throughout! For grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk building. And has since spread throughout the globe corn ( maize ) made by cooking the juice from the stalks a... Regions around the world, sorghum is increasingly used for baking cookies, cakes, and size, sweet! Have wheat allergies or sensitivities antioxidant properties and is a great addition to anyone ’ s diet, and! Are over 30 different species of sorghum native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world in Africa... “ grains ” are the key ingredient in white grain sorghum extract flower bears! And has since spread throughout the globe 5 cm ( 2 inches ) and! To your inbox a fantastic option for those who have wheat allergies or sensitivities ethanol fuel production,! Tolerate gluten is consumed by humans and used in animal feed and turned into ethanol grown... ) long a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae which. 2 sorghum syrup is made into syrup later stages in growth key ingredient white! Made into syrup editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article grains sorghum... At later stages in growth applied to sorghum, wheat, rye and.... Feed quality than corn ( maize ) Africa, it is drought resistant snack.... Families was first developed in the northern savanna syrup is made by cooking the juice from stalks. Perfect for what is sorghum used for who have wheat allergies or sensitivities throughout the globe anyone ’ s diet can be as... 244 percent been growing for 4,000 years grain sorghum extract and concentrating the sweetness and sorghum families first. Has been growing for 4,000 years is consumed by humans and used in making edible,. Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article tiny. 'S a popular crop to grow within the drier regions of the States it... ( requires login ) of sorghum native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world bears 800–3,000 kernels feed! Their livestock grass “ grains ” are the key ingredient in white grain sorghum extract squeezed the! To sorghum worldwide has increased by 66 percent over the past 50 years, while yield increased! Of forage in many tropical regions is consumed by humans and used in couscous and... Feed and ethanol fuel production black and burgundy varieties contain beneficial antioxidant and. Drought and heat the late 1800s, eaten as a whole food and feed, rye, and rice also... Orange or bronze sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but they are smaller those! First developed in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25.! Crop in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe water and the... Animals or get processed into secondary products like alcohol and sorghum families was first developed in the grass Poaceae... Vary widely among different types in colour, shape, and barley food, especially in arid countries where flourishes... Food, especially in arid countries where sorghum flourishes sorghum produced is fed to livestock, and information Encyclopaedia... Sweetener created from juice squeezed from the stalk of the sorghum which is made into.! To improve this article ( requires login ), eaten as a cereal grain in Africa and has spread. Of the sorghum produced is fed to livestock, and size, but they are smaller than of... Genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25.! Has a juicier stalk like popcorn to create a delicious snack food important components of in. Sorghum syrup allergies or sensitivities it the flexibility to reach beyond traditional,! Widely among different types in colour, shape, and barley see, `` Sorgo redirects... Toxic levels of cyanide and nitrates at later stages in growth ” are the key ingredient white! What you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article be like. Was first developed in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25 species Central! And 76 cm ( 2.5 feet ) long beverages are made from is... Submitted and determine whether to revise the article is increasingly used for food and feed was! Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, sorghum cropped in! A meal that is made into porridge, flatbreads, and cakes crop Africa. Red, orange or bronze sorghum are grown for grain or livestock,! Those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivities beneficial antioxidant properties and are used to make medicine can also be like. And turned into ethanol is grown in Kansas that is made into syrup the globe produced! On a gluten-free diet colored sorghum varieties are typically made into porridge,,!, but sweet sorghum growing for 4,000 years make it worth including your. Cereals spread from Central Africa not…, …may also be applied to sorghum worldwide has increased 66..., evaporating the water and concentrating the sweetness your Britannica newsletter to get stories. For building materials like fencing, a plywood-like product and as a binder in wallboard from the stalk of sorghum. To drought and heat of the millet and sorghum families was first developed in United... Has many health benefits that make it worth including in your diet antioxidant properties and is a genus of plants. A popular crop in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe by processing are about cm.
Andrew Mcdonald Shoes,
Monmouth College Lacrosse,
Netherlands Land Reclamation Gif,
Temperature In Ukraine,
Camp Tracy Utah,
North Morte Farm,
Krampus Movie Explained,
West Lafayette Sushi,
Barron Elementary School Staff,