Description

Triticale is a cereal grain created by plant breeders. In the 1950s, plant geneticists hoped that a cross fertilisation of wheat and rye would produce a cereal with superior yield. The hardiness and disease resistance of rye was combined with the milling and baking qualities of wheat.

In 1970, the first commercial variety of triticale went on sale and triticale bread, flour and breakfast cereals became available. Triticale was hyped as a miracle crop during this time, but initial interest faded when crops were inconsistent and acceptance was slow. As such, triticale has not achieved its objectives to dominate as a grain for food production. Today in Australia triticale is found in a range of grain foods.