Today, December 19, 2013, is National Oatmeal Muffin Day. Oatmeal is ground oat groats, or a porridge made from Oatmeal can also be ground oats, steel-cut oats, crushed oats, or rolled oats. The oat grains are de-husked by impact then heated and cooled to stabilize the seed inside the husk. These oat groats may be milled to produce fine, medium or coarse oatmeal. Rolled oats are steamed and flattened whole oat groats. Steel cut oats may be small and broken groats from the de-husking process. Quick-cooking rolled oats are cut into small pieces before being steamed and rolled. Instant oatmeal is pre-cooked and dried, usually with sweetener and flavouring added. Both types of rolled oats may be eaten uncooked as in muesli or may be cooked to make porridge.
