Buckwheat is a cereal grain that is a member of the Polygonaceae family. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is native to East Asia, primarily in China and Japan. Buckwheat can be consumed as a cereal grain or used as an ingredient in many dishes. It is also used to make noodles and flour for breads. Buckwheat seeds are known as buckwheat groats when they have been dehulled (dehusked).