The humble oat has been an essential breakfast ingredient for millenia. It’s marvellous in muesli, adds chewiness in cookies, and is great in granola!
What is an oat?
Oats are the edible seeds of the grass plant Avena Sativa. At maturity, the seeds are harvested and the hard outer husk is removed revealing the oat kernel — or groat.
Each oat kernel contains three parts:
- The Bran: the fiber-rich outer skin
- The Germ: the little nutrient powerhouse
- The Endosperm: basically the energy supply — carbs and protein
What makes oats stand out from other grains is their high beta-glucan content — a type of soluble fibre that’s been shown to help lower cholesterol and support heart health. Oats are also a good source of protein compared to other cereals — especially for a plant-based diet.
How do oats go from paddock to bowl?
We source all of our oats from South Australia, one of Australia’s key oat-producing regions. Harvest begins as soon as the grains are plump and golden, typically starting late October through to December.
After harvesting, oats go through a pretty clever process to get them from the paddock into your muesli bowl:
- The husk is removed — it’s inedible, so off it goes.
- The grain is steamed — steaming helps stop the oats from going rancid by deactivating enzymes that would otherwise break down the natural fats. It also softens them up for the next step.
- They’re rolled or cut — the oat groats are either chopped up to make steel-cut oats, or flattened under heavy rollers to make rolled oats — which is what you’ll find in our muesli, porridge, and cookies.
Are oats related to wheat?
Oats are not wheat. While oats and wheat are both cereal grains, they come from entirely different species. Wheat comes from Triticum, while oats belong to Avena sativa. Biologically and nutritionally, they’re from different sides of the breakfast table.
This means oats are a fantastic whole grain for a wheat-free diet — packed with fibre, vitamins, and slow-burning carbs. Check out our Bircher Muesli for a creamy, oaty, wheat-free breakfast cereal.
Are oats gluten-free?
In Australia, oats cannot be labelled as “gluten-free” — even if they technically are. Since oats are often processed by grain producers in the same places as wheat, rye, or barley, there’s a real risk of cross-contamination. In the US, UK and Europe, oats can be sold as gluten-free if they meet certain safety standards.
The good news? You don’t have to miss out.
At Whisk & Pin, we’ve crafted a whole range of gluten-free muesli using carefully selected ingredients that don’t rely on oats — so you can still start your day with something hearty, wholesome and genuinely delicious.
Feeling crafty in the kitchen? Shop the legendary oats behind our best-loved muesli:
Australian Organic Oats
Australian Porridge Oats
