Beyond the Buzz—What Exactly are Millets?

Millets are a varied group of small-seeded grasses with a rich history of cultivation in Asia & Africa (and Europe, though to a lesser extent). They were among the first crops to be cultivated (nearly 10,000 years ago!), and played a central role in our ancestors’ transition from nomadic hunter-gatherers to living in agricultural societies. Although the word ‘millet’ today symbolizes birdseed in many parts of the world, millets have been a staple crop for a large proportion of the world’s population since the dawn of agriculture.