Porridge Oats

Oats have to be stabilised by gentle steam during the milling process. This allows them to retain their goodness and wholesome flavour for many months otherwise they would simply go off after several days. Mornflake creamy porridge oats have a shelf life of around 12 months when stored in a sealed container in a dry, cool place. Mornflake also pack in tins which will keep for up to 3 years unopened.

Most porridge oats are rolled. Traditional rolled oats are also known as old-fashioned oats. They are expertly milled and rolled into flat-shaped flakes to help them efficiently absorb liquid during cooking. You also get ‘Jumbo’ rolled oats. These wholesome rolled oats are slightly thicker and take a little longer to cook but their delicious taste makes them worth the wait. Some porridge oats are rolled thinner and chopped into smaller pieces to help them cook faster. For example, Mornflake Superfast Oats make a quick breakfast or snack within minutes or if you’re looking for a faster alternative, try our instant porridge sachets.

Oatmeal refers to whole oat that have been chopped or ground to make coarse, medium or fine oatmeal. It is cooked the same as porridge but some grades (for example, coarse) take longer because they are thicker and need more time to absorb the liquid they are cooked in.

Crops of oats are grown in fields similar to wheat and barley. They thrive in plenty of rain and sunshine and gradually turn from bright green to a gorgeous golden hue when it is harvest time. Oats are then stripped from the stalks of straw and stored until they are ready for milling.

A 40g serving of traditional of creamy oats porridge has around 4g of fibre. Adults are recommended to get around 30g of dietary fibre each day from various fibre-rich food choices for optimum health benefits.

Oats are amazing little wholegrains with big health benefits. They are high in vitamins and minerals and protein. They also contain fibre for gut health and the soluble fibre beta-glucan to help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. Oats also keep you feeling fuller for longer and are a great addition to a healthy balanced diet. Don’t forget to check out our porridge recipes for inspiration and ideas.