Which are the three parts of a wheat kernel?

• A. Endosperm, Bran, Germ
• B. Endosperm, Hull, Germ
• C. Bran, Hull, Germ
• D. Endosperm, Germ, Embryo

Answer: (A)

Understanding the three parts of a wheat kernel helps explain both nutrition and milling. A wheat kernel is made up of endosperm, bran, and germ. The endosperm is the large, starchy center that stores energy and is what flour is mostly made from when refined. The bran are the outer protective layers that provide fiber and minerals. The germ is the embryo portion that contains oils and vitamins and has the potential to sprout into a new plant. Refining flour removes much of the bran and germ, leaving mostly endosperm, which is why whole-wheat flour retains the bran and germ for more nutrition. The hull isn’t counted as a separate part in this common anatomy, and the embryo is the same as the germ, so listing both would be duplicative. So the three parts are endosperm, bran, and germ.