Oats – Truly Raw vs. Standard Oats
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Raw Oats…. they do exist?! Yes, they do. You just have to be aware of what you are buying.The term “raw” is loosely used in the raw oat world, so be sure to purchase them from a reputable resource. If this concerns you, I recommend that you contact the manufacturer and pin them down to a specific yes/no answer on the question of heat-processing.
Raw • Organic • Gluten-Free?
There are so many things to consider when it comes to food choices. Is it raw? Is it organic? Is it gluten-free? The priority list will be different for each of you according to your own health issues/needs and personal convictions.
I am not here to debate which route is right or which is wrong, that is for you to decide. I am here on my own personal journey, constantly in research mode, learning what I can, and making the best choices for myself. I hope that the information I give helps to wet your whistle and start you on your own path of research.
Here are a few other postings that I have done regarding Oats
Raw Oat Resource:
I can only list the ones that I have done extensive research on to bring you truly raw oats. I wrote a post on how oats are grown and processed, so for further information on this topic, please click (here).
“Montana Gluten-Free Raw Oatmeal is the only raw rolled oatmeal produced in North America. These oats have a wonderful flavor, more nutrition, and longer shelf life than conventional wet-milled, pre-cooked oatmeal. Most oatmeal manufacturers steam the oats to remove the hulls, then roll or cut them, and finally heat them again to remove the moisture. As Montana Gluten Free’s special variety of oats are naturally hull-less, they need no special treatment before rolling. No steaming, steeping, or cooking is required in the unique process. In these dry rolled oats, the enzymes are live, and the oatmeal is deliciously one of a kind.“
Young Oats Growing in the Field
A brief overview of what different oats mean:
Most oats go through many processing procedures after the hull is removed. Because of this, they also usually lose a lot of their nutrition. It is advisable to look for oatmeal that has gone through the least amount of processing. Doing so will help you get the most nutrition that a bowl of, oatmeal. For example, old-fashioned oats are the most processed since they have to be rolled and steamed. The bran is then removed, which is where a great deal of the nutrients reside. The types that are least processed are steel-cut oats and oat groats.
Whole Oats
- Whole oats have a hard outer hull that must be removed before it’s ready for human consumption.
- Removing this hard outer hull is not trivial, so, if you want whole oats to eat, purchase them already hulled.
- The oat hulls are a source of the chemical solvent furfural.
- Hulled oats are known as ‘groats.’
Oat Groats
- Oat groats are the whole oat grain, with only the hard, unpalatable outer hull removed, but with the kernel’s outer bran layer left intact.
- They are long and thin with a smooth, shiny surface and look like brown rice. They can be eaten at this stage, but are typically processed into one of the forms below.
- Oat sprouts – oat groats are very easy to sprout! Sprouting increases the nutritive value.
Steel-cut Oats
- Steel-cut oats, also known as pinhead oats and sometimes called coarse or rough oatmeal, made by passing groats through steel cutters which chop each one into three or four pieces.
- Since they still contain the whole grain including the oat bran, steel-cut oats are very nutritious.
Rolled Oats
- Rolled oats are made by steaming groats and flattening them with a roller.
- These come in two distinct varieties. The first variety is sometimes called old-fashioned, or jumbo. These are made by first steaming the whole groat for a few minutes, thus partially cooking it, then passing it between rollers to flatten it out. The second variety is sometimes called quick-cooking rolled oats. These are made by putting steel-cut oats through the same process.
Instant Oats
- Instant oats are made in a similar fashion to rolled quick-cooking oats, except they are steamed longer and rolled more thinly. It produces the kind of oats used for making some types of ‘instant’ porridge.
- Generally, the more you process food, the less nutritious it becomes, instant oats are best avoided if you want to get the full benefit of this grain.
Oat Flour
- Oats can be ground into flour which usually comes in three grades – coarse (i.e., steel-cut oats), medium and fine.
- Medium oatmeal can be used in cakes and crumble toppings to give a nutty flavor or added to soups as a thickener/creamer.
- Fine oatmeal (flour) adds a great flavor to bread and improves its shelf life due to the natural preservatives found in oats.
- Since oats lack gluten, they’re typically mixed with a gluten-containing flour such as wheat flour. ** You can make it yourself by grinding rolled oats in a food processor or blender. Oat flour adds a lovely flavor to recipes, and because of certain natural preservatives in the oats themselves, it improves their shelf life.
Resource: Eat More Oats
In a brief conclusion, I don’t and wouldn’t consider any of the oats above RAW, unless it is clearly indicated on the packaging and/or you have called the manufacturer and asked them specifically how they process their products. During my online research regarding this issue, I found that there is a lot of confusion about this topic and I really couldn’t find a black and white answer. What are your thoughts on this topic? I would love to hear them!
© AmieSue.com
I’ve been trying to find information regarding the safety of raw/rolled oats. I was always under the impression that once the oat graot is damaged (i.e. rolled) the carbohydrates in the in the groat convert to sugar and with a few days the groat becomes rancid which is why heat is required after the rolling process. Do you have more information regarding how the cold-rolling process is done and what safety measures are taken to ensure the rolled oats aren’t rancid. I also have been lead to believe that unless oats are a hull-less variety they are instantly steamed or soaked after they’ve been dehulled. Even the process of removing the hull can damage the groat enough to cause rancidity. I’m hoping you can shed some light! Many thanks!
Adrian,
Great questions! I don’t know the complete process for cold-rolling process, but let me check into it. I will contact the company who makes them and ask for more details. Hang in there, I will be back! amie sue
I Adrian – unless the rolled oats are done to order, by yourself, or delivered to you right away and frozen, they will go rancid quickly. Most rolled oats are steamed to preserve them while sitting on store shelves. The only truly ALIVE raw oats are oats that will sprout. Another thing I discovered is that you cannot get ORGANIC Gluten Free Oats raw (well almost impossible)..because in order to keep them gluten free (free of contamination)..they have to be kept weed free….so they are sprayed, even if mildly. Definitely contact companies and ask questions.
Hi, Amie-Sue,
I came across this page in my search for an answer to the same question posted by Adrian – are there any truly raw oats that are safe to consume with regard to rancidity? If you got any answers regarding the cold-rolling process, I’d love to know!
Thanks for this helpful page and site,
Pamela
Pamela,
I have listed a few resources on where one can purchase raw oats…I have sent emails to the manufactures, hoping to do clearer information for you both. I haven’t heard back from them but I will send in another email. amie sue
I haven’t given up on this question Adrian and Pamela…I am having one heck of time in getting the manufactures to respond to me, but I am like a bull dog and will not let go. :) Just wanted to assure you that I haven’t forgotten about this. amie sue
How about bobs red mill oats. Also have a totally gluten free range. I have pasted a paragraph from his site below.
At Bob’s Red Mill, we know that you can’t rush quality. That’s why we manufacture our products using time-honored techniques, like grinding whole grains at cool temperatures with a traditional stone mill. This production ‘secret’ allows us to seal in the freshness and bring you wholesome, quality foods, just as nature intended.
Great option Tony but keep in mind they are not raw… but they are gluten-free so that’s good! I have used them when I don’t have raw ones on hand.
I buy the raw oats and I soaked them like you suggested but they turn into broken up mush and lose the rolled oat consistency. I then dried them and ground them into flour which was fine but if I wanted them whole in a recipe what would I do? I like them whole in my granola and bars and Ive never soaked them before, didnt know. I like the chewy texture they add but maybe they were causing me gas, not sure. Im just not sure if Im doing this right. Help!
Jeannie,
Unfortunately, the soaked and dehydrated oats will loss some of their original shape through this process. I recommend testing out a few brands though and see how they come out. Also, test and see if you need to soak them. I do recommend it regardless but your system may be able to digest them just fine unsoaked. How do you feel when they are soaked and dried? Less gas? Keep me posted! amie sue
I followed up with the Legacy Valley producers ,Montana Monster Munchies (very nice and helpful btw), about the oat groats and found a few things to note:
1) The Amazon product listed is not raw and sprout-able anymore
2) Amazon product is $30 now, not $20.
3) Soap.com (Amazon owns them) has some remaining supply of the $20 raw and sprout-able variety from Legacy Valley
4) Both products have a shelf life of about a year, and they have not sold Amazon the raw variety for some time, meaning the shelf life may be shorter if ordered from soap.com
Once again, very open and helpful person that I spoke with. Cheers!
Wow, great info Steve! Thanks for your detective work!
A follow-up. I ordered what I thought would be the raw and sprout-able from Soap.com and got them today. While it was fast shipping, they are only labeled as “gluten free” and “raw and sprout-able” so I am not sure they have the raw in stock anymore. I’ll follow up if I have a conversation with the person from Montana Monster Munchies.
*Huge correction* NOT labeled “raw and sproutable”. But they are still $20 versus the $30 at Amazon. Expiration was 12/13, so I have a year to eat it all (if I keep it).
Yup..Legacy Valley had sent me some really nice gluten free sproutable oats a couple of years ago..and then I also found out they no longer carry them..BIG BUMMER!!!
Hi! did you ever hear back from the manufacturers about the cold rolling method?
Are the oat groats soaked before hand? I am imagining so since the finished product doesn’t appear dusty or crushed.
I am also interested in how they avoid rancidity.
It is very interesting that there is no information on the web about the cold rolling process!
No Diana, I couldn’t get a response back. I know, it’s hard to find information on this process. I have googled and searched, googled and searched myself. One day, I , we shall get to the bottom of this! :)
I am 55 taking probiotic every day last two months and enzy-gest with 3 meal try to eat guletin free.last week I had breakfast with uncooked rolled oats 2 cup +2 cups apple juice + one banana. Blend oats first then add juice and banana last. Verry testy thick pest 3 day breakfast , I enjoyed it ! Today I was looking for raw oat & find this page ! my concern is this good or not ?
Hi Sharifa…. Is what good? The breakfast that you made? I would always recommend soaking and rinsing your oats first before using them in a recipe… Have you read this post I did about this…. https://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/breakfast/soaking-oats/
Hi
Is it good for my body ? I feel my tummy liked it . I will read the link you gave me . Thank you very much.
All of the ingredients listed have wonderful health benefits to them… only you can answer that question. If your tummy liked it, you digested it fine, it didn’t cause any ill feelings, I think you did good! But I can’t really answer that question since I don’t know your health condition, etc. I hope that makes sense. :)
Hello, I love your website!
I have WHOLE raw oats from “LoveRawFoods” brand – how can I make raw oats porridge for breakfast from them? I used to make it from rolled oats from the same brand but Blue Mountain website doesn’t have them.
Thank you very much for your advice!
Hi Miki….
I always recommend soaking them first to remove the phytic acid. Have you read the post I did on this?
https://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipies/breakfast/soaking-oats/
I also have many recipe listed under Breakfast if you are interested. :)
Let me know if you have further questions after reading the above post. Blessings, amie sue
Good Evening, Amie Sue! Thank you so much for your reply!
I read your article about soaking oats (very helpful), I am just not sure if WHOLE oats are going to be edible raw after the soaking – do they taste the same as rolled after the soaking and should I blend them as well?
Blessings to you and your family!
They should be Miki. Do a small single serving batch to test and see if you like them this way. You can blend or not, depends on the texture that you are after. Blended they make a nice porridge and you can add 1 Tbsp chia seeds too. The sky is the limit on what can be added. I like both forms of texture… the smooth blended is more of a comfort food to me, but that is based off of childhood memories and so forth. Let me know what you decide to try. :)
:)
I love your chia seed idea! I will follow your recommendations and keep you posted. I am so glad I found your website, Amie Sue! :)
Thank you so much!
Good luck. :) Sleep well, amie sue
Montana Gluten Free is a major supplier of Raw Gluten Free Oatmeal. Our PrOatina hulless (avena nuda sp.) oats were selected for high protein, hulless and hairless. We dry roll our oatmeal and because it is dry rolled and we do not damage the germ we have a shef life that is significantly longer than conventionally steamed, rolled, cooked, and heat stabelized products. We have both truley natural and organic product (it is dificult to find organic ground clean enough to produce gluten free). We also offer raw flour and bran.
We would be happy to send you some to try.
I would love to try them Gary. You can send me an email through [email protected]. :)
Hi,
I am truly enjoying your website!
Did you receive the gift from Gary Iverson of the free Raw Gluten Free Oatmeal? If so, how do you rate it? Is it worth purchasing and can it only be found online?
Thanks!
I never did Ektomp. amie sue
Eye opener……lots to learn since starting this RAW journey two months ago.
Thank you for taking the time to educate people like myself. Hats off!
We never stop learning. :)
Hi Amie-Sue…love your blog!!!!! Here’s some info about oats from my book Uncooking With RawRose:
Hulls are removed from oats, leaving an oat groat. Oat groats are high in fat, so once the hull is removed, an oat groat will go rancid within a few days. Therefore, all oat groats for human consumption are hulled, then “stabilized” (heated to 200 degrees for an hour or more to stabilize enzyme action). As a result oat groats won’t sprout and aren’t raw. Steel cut oats and Scottish oats are cut after the heating process. To produce rolled oats, stabilized oats are steamed then rolled. This was surprising to me, so I contacted a number of oat producers in Canada and the US, and they confirmed the above.
There is a hulless oat available. Because it is grown without a hull, it doesn’t need to be heated to stabilize it. I tried various ways of making raw oatmeal with it, but it has a grainy mouthfeel – not something I’d recommend.
I love the hulless oats and find they sprout better. Jaffe Brothers has them ..but they also have whole sproutable oats….both work. Currently they are out of stock..not sure why…but they have a lot of great sproutable grains at reasonable prices. http://organicfruitsandnuts.com/8292.html
Whenever I buy organic rolled oats (or whole oats) where I live (no matter what brand), they always have this slightly bitter taste. It’s not like they taste foul or rancid, but they’re just not nearly as sweet as regular rolled oats.
The guy at the store told me it’s because they’re not roasted or steamed. What I’m wondering is, is it safe to eat them like this?
I have tried soaking them overnight in water (with salt or vinegar) and the bitterness was still present. I’d appreciate any tips!
I have to question if the oats that you are buying at the store are actually raw. Most of the ones found in grocery store are not raw… in fact I have never found them in a store, I always have to order mine online. http://www.bluemountainorganics.com/by-type/grains-and-cereals/grains/rolled-oats-32-oz-lrf Can you tell me the brand names that you are using? Bitterness can be an indicator of them being rancid, even though I took note that you didn’t think they were.
I look forward to hearing back from you.. amie sue
Hello.
I know it is an old post. However, it has been helpful for me. That is why i decided to contribute. I am from Europe and that is what I found: http://www.rawliving.eu/raw-living-oats-rolled-500g.html
These rolled oats have shorter shelf life than most other oats because they are not old.
I now buy my grains whole and either mill them or roll them. As my toddler eats quinoa and oat porridge every morning I roll them fresh using a flicfloc. I like knowing exactly what is in my flour and that I am giving my family the freshness and nutrition’s of whole grains. Hope u find this helpful ☺
Good morning Tracie,
I am sorry that it took me a bit to respond to you. I have been on a “walk about” for the past 6 weeks (see blog posting). I am not fully integrating back into things but I wanted to start tackling some of the questions that have been collecting. :) All that to say, I appreciate your patience with me. :)
Thank you so much for sharing this with me/us. I appreciate your heart and dedication in knowing where your food comes from. I am the same way. Have a blessed and happy weekend, amie sue
I originally started researching this because I was doing a juice detox that recommended eating a small meal of raw oats in the morning but when I looked at my local health food stores I couldn’t find anything that said it was raw oats, just the usual steel cut, rolled, instant, etc. Reading all this was very informative but if raw oats are that hard to find I think I’ll just stick with steel cut oats. Especially since, knowing me, it might take me awhile to use them up and I would hate for them to go rancid before they got used. But thank you for all the information and all that research you guys have put into this. It was definitely informative! MaryLou in San Diego
Good morning Marylou,
I hope that your juice detox went well. Yes, truly raw oats are hard to find, so you need to use what you feel best with. That is really what it boils down to. And just FYI, I keep my oats, grains, nuts and seeds in the fridge and/or freezer to prevent any from going rancid. Its a habit that I started 8 years ago and never lose product that way. :)
Anyway, have a blessed day! amie sue
Hello! Montana gluten free Rocky Mountain rice is a brand that I have been using for oat groats. They are raw, organic and gluten free
Yes indeed Jarred. I have used their products in the past as well. :) Thanks for sharing. Blessings, amie sue
Amazing raw, organic, gluten-free oats available through Adagio Acres (adagioacres.com). Grown in Manitoba, Canada. LOVE them!!
Thanks for sharing Jenny :)
Oh my! I Have I been paving the road to hell with good intentions!
So for about a month I’ve been putting 1/2 a cup of Bob Red Mills in a mason jar, covering it up with coconut water, adding slivered almondS ( not pre soaked) , raisins and chia seeds letting them soak overnights ( I make four at a time/ 4 days worth). For my first meal of the day ill add frozen blueberries. and here I thought I was doing the healthy thing :(. No wonder I feel bloated and nutrient deficient. I’m going to really study these oats.
Good day Maureen,
Many people make overnight oats the way you talk about. I have always been one to soak (with an acid medium), drain, and rinse my oats, nuts, seeds, and grains. When I cook them, I also cook them with a strip of kombu seaweed to help with digestion. Everybody is different and some require the extra steps to help with digestion. blessings, amie sue
Hi Amie Sue!
You can get Montana GF raw oats from azurestandard.com
They deliver about everywhere now :)
Juanita
Oh good to know. Thank you Juanita. :)