In the UK, wheat is the cereal most commonly used for the manufacture of food products, although many other types of cereals are used. Each cereal has unique properties which make it suitable for a variety of food products.
Cereals require different conditions to grow.
For example, rice is grown in damp tropical climates, eg India and China, and oats in cold temperate climates, eg Scotland. Cereals are also known as 'staple foods' as they often make up the bulk of the diet since they are relatively cheap to produce. The type of flour produced differs according to the rate of extraction. Cous cous is also made from wheat. Maize may be processed to make many different ingredients and food products.