Steel-cut oats

Spoonful of uncooked steel-cut oats.

Steel-cut oats (US), also called pinhead oats or coarse oatmeal (UK)^[1][2] are whole oat groats which have been chopped into two or three pieces. They are traditionally used to make porridge, as well as oat cakes, etc. However, they take longer to cook than instant, ground, or rolled oats, typically 15–30 minutes for porridge (or about half this time if pre-soaked). Steel-cut oats are described as being nuttier-flavoured and chewier than other types of oats.^[3]

Steel-cut oats derives its name from the process by which it is produced - large steel blades chop the groats into two or three pieces, resulting in a texture chewier and coarser than other oats.^[4]

References

1. All About Oats
2. A Scots manufacturer's Web site: Pinhead Oatmeal is the most traditional oatmeal. It is made from the whole grain, with just the outer husk removed, before the inner groat is cut into three pieces.
3. "For best oatmeal taste, be patient". Consumer Reports. November 2008. Archived from the original on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
4. "What are Steel Cut Oats?". wiseGEEK.