Rye

Rye was domesticated during Neolithic age in the territory of the modern Turkey. It was very popular in the Ancient Rome and its European colonies. The Romans considered rye as a food for the poor. Ancient rye had bitter taste and was unpleasant to eat. That is why it was regarded as a crop “ to avert starvation”.

 
During the Middle Ages rye was highly improved and served as the main bread cereal in many European countries.

Rye is great as a winter crop. It survives winter frosts well and brings early harvest. World production of rye, however, drops dramatically during last 10 years. For example, Russia has export about 13.9 million MT of rye in 1992 and only 2.1 MT of rye in 2012. Ukraine has also decreased rye production. However, Germany has increased rye production.

Rye is used for bread baking, flour making, for alcoholic drinks (including rye whiskey and rye beer). Rye straw is a precious materials for many purposes, both technical and artistic.

 
Decrease of rye production in Ukraine is strange, because rye does not require specifically fertile soils and can withstand cold well. Rye grow well even without application of herbicides.