Difference Between Rolled Oats and Old Fashioned Oats

Is there any difference between rolled oats and old fashioned oats? This is a pretty interesting question to ponder. When it comes to oats in a general sense, there is no question that things can get very confusing very quickly. There are seemingly tons of different types of oats out there. Depending on your tastes, as well as perhaps your nutritional requirements/ideals, you will find that there are different oats to suit both of these things.

The truth of the matter is that there are only a few different types of oats out there. The problem a lot of people fail to realize is that you can have a couple of different names for what is essentially the same oat. Keeping this thought in mind, you can better appreciate any potential differences between rolled oats and old-fashioned oats.

Are There Any Differences Between Rolled Oats And Old Fashioned Oats

Several factors determine the type of oat you are dealing with, and all of these factors are worth keeping in mind. Things like taste, texture, and even the process of creation are some of the factors that you will want to examine. All of this certainly holds true for rolled oats and old-fashioned oats.

Remember when we mentioned that you can sometimes come across two different names for the same type of oats? That thought can be applied to old-fashioned oats and rolled oats. As you are going to discover, there are absolutely no differences whatsoever between an old fashioned oat and a rolled oat. You are talking about two different names for the exact same type of oat. Even so, this doesn’t mean it isn’t worth understanding all of the factors that determine a rolled/old-fashioned oat. The more you learn about these oats, the easier it will be to tell them apart from the various types of oats that really are out there.

In fact, some people actually call rolled/old-fashioned oats old-fashioned rolled oats. Whether you choose to combine the names, or if you use one over the other, you’re still referring to the same thing. You are still talking about a process that involves first steaming the oats, and then rolling them into the more familiar form of flakes. One of the main benefits to this process is that you are creating a degree of stability that will allow the integrity of the oils inside the oats to endure. Not only does this keep the oats fresh for a longer period of time. It also ensures the oats are going to cook faster. This gives you a better surface area.

This is one approach to rolled oats, but it is not the only one. Thankfully, with the above definition, you can now begin to appreciate the various ways in which oats can be prepared and enjoyed.

Old Fashioned Oats Or Instant Oats?

To look at things another way, there are basically two different kinds of rolled oats. The first type would be the old-fashioned we have already discussed. The second type is going to be in the form of instant oats.

Rolling your oats into even thinner flakes can give you something different from old-fashioned oats. You can also opt to steam the oats for a longer period of time. What does all of this do to the nutritional value of the oats? Absolutely nothing. What does it mean for the texture? That’s where things become more interesting. The texture between instant oats and old-fashioned oats is quite different. You can’t really say that one texture is inherently superior to the other texture. In the end, it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

We have now covered two of the different types of oats. However, there are quite a few others.

In Summary

In addition to old fashioned rolled oats and instant rolled oats, you have several more different types of oats that you can consider. You could really say that raw oats are the beginning of it all. From there, you are going to find yourself with several possibilities.

Whole oat groats is another type. Harvesting, cleaning, and removing the hulls of your oats will give you this type. Steel cut oats are a particularly popular type of oat, and they are defined by a process that involves using a sharpened metal blade to cut your groats into two or three pieces. Water is better at penetrating these smaller cut pieces, so you will find that this type of oat can be cooked quite quickly. Another popular name for this type of oats is Irish oats.

Stone grinding the oats can give you Scottish oatmeal. You also have oat flour, which can prove to be ideal for baking. Many people also use oat flour to thicken up their stews and soups.

As you can see, there are numerous ways in which oats can be prepared and enjoyed.

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