Granola

Granola is a food made primarily with rolled oats, nuts, honey (and sometimes Rice). Dried fruit is often added for extra nutrition and flavor. Granola is also a popular choice when hiking and camping because it is nutritious, high in calories, light weight and easy to carry/store.

When making your own granola, ingredients can be adjusted to your own personal tastes. There is no set standard in making granola.

The hippie movement of the 1960's popularised granola. The recent emphasis on the importance of whole grains in diets has also ensured granola cereals are popular. Granola is now available in bars as well. Some people also bake muffins and breads with granola cereal included as a tasty snack.

Typical ingredients for a Granola recipe are provided below, courtesy of Joy Of Baking:

• 3 cups (300 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup (45 grams) raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup (45 grams) raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon (5 grams) wheat germ (optional)
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup (preferably Grade A Dark Amber)
• 1 cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, figs, and/or raisins) (optional)

To make this recipe, visit this link http://www.joyofbaking.com/breakfast/HomemadeGranola.html#ixzz0l1Wy9Rz4

There is also a guide on Mahalo - visit How to Make Granola for more information.

Granola was invented by Sylvester Graham (1794 - 1851). Graham was a strong exponent of vegetarianism and had previously created the Grahams Cracker. The main ingredient of Grahams Cracker was Grahams Flour. Dr James Jackson used Graham s Flour to develop the first Granola in 1863 for a health spa.http://www.foodreference.com/html/artgranola.html

In 1876 Dr John Harvey Kellogg started experimenting with whole grain breakfast cereals. He called his new cereal "Granula" but was sued by Jackson so renamed it to "Granola" instead. Granola was born! Although Kellogs invented Granola it was never marketed as a commercial product.

In 1898 Charles W Post, developed a new recipe based on the simple one provided by Jackson. He decided to call the product Grape Nuts, this is still a commercial success to this day.

In 1972 the first major granola cereal was introduced called Heartland Natural Cereal.