While the term “oats” has become increasingly familiar, many people may not know exactly what kind of food they are. Best known as the raw material for oatmeal, oats have gained worldwide recognition as a highly nutritious food that supports a healthy lifestyle.
In this article, we introduce the basics of oats, the unique benefits of the more nutritious naked oats, and HighChem’s food development projects.
In this article, we introduce the basics of oats, the unique benefits of the more nutritious naked oats, and HighChem’s food development projects.
What Are Oats?
Oats are a cereal grain belonging to the Avena genus of the grass family and are commonly referred to as “oats” in English. They are widely cultivated in Europe, North America, Australia, and other regions, and are processed into oatmeal, which is enjoyed around the world. Oatmeal has also become increasingly popular in Japan, where more people are incorporating it into their daily diets as a breakfast or diet-friendly food.
One of the greatest advantages of oats is their exceptional nutritional balance. Alongside quinoa, oats are increasingly recognized worldwide as a superfood. In addition, oats are a low-GI food, making them less likely to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, which makes them an attractive option for people concerned about carbohydrate intake or overall health management.
Another reason for their growing popularity is their versatility, as they can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from staple foods and desserts to noodle dishes.
Key Nutrients
Dietary Fiber
Oats are rich in dietary fiber, particularly beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Beta-glucan is known for supporting gut health and helping suppress increases in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, making it a highly valued nutrient for maintaining overall health.
Protein
Among cereal grains, oats contain a relatively high level of protein, helping support muscle maintenance and overall physical function. They also offer a favorable balance of essential amino acids, making them an excellent source of plant-based protein.
Minerals
Oats are rich in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Their ability to efficiently provide minerals that are often lacking in daily diets is another reason why oats are highly regarded as a health food.
What Are Naked Oats?
Naked oats are a variety of oats primarily produced in northern China. Unlike conventional hulled oats, naked oats naturally shed their outer hull during harvesting. Compared with conventional hulled oats commonly grown in Europe and North America, naked oats generally offer higher nutritional density, including greater levels of protein, dietary fiber, and beta-glucan.
Naked oats have a long history in China, where they have traditionally been consumed as staple foods, noodles, and dim sum. According to legend, even Genghis Khan valued them as a military ration because of their excellent satiety. This traditional grain offers outstanding nutritional value and satisfaction. With their subtle sweetness and pleasantly chewy texture, naked oats also appeal to Japanese tastes and are expected to gain popularity as an alternative to rice and wheat.
While conventional oats are most commonly used in cereals and granola, naked oats stand out for their versatility. They can be used as ingredients in bread, noodles, and dim sum, while also being enjoyed directly as rice or porridge. Another advantage is the ability to source them from nearby northern China, helping reduce logistics costs in modern food development.
Product Application Examples
Naked oats can be incorporated into a wide range of products by leveraging their unique characteristics.
Bread and Sweets
Thanks to proprietary gluten-enhancement technology, our oat flour series can be used as a 100% replacement for wheat flour. It delivers a soft, chewy texture and rich flavor, making it suitable for breads, roll cakes, cookies, scones, and other baked goods while achieving both excellent taste and nutritional value.
Rice Alternative
Developed using proprietary processing technology, Oats Rice delivers the chewy texture and roasted aroma of rice. Compared with white rice, it contains more protein, less carbohydrate, and higher dietary fiber content. It can be used in fried rice, porridge, risotto, and virtually any rice-based dish, making it an ideal alternative for consumers seeking more fiber in their diets.
Chinese Cuisine and Noodle Dishes
Naked oats can be used in a wide range of Chinese food products that typically rely on low-protein wheat flour, including steamed buns, dumpling wrappers, and Chinese noodles. In addition, Youmian, a traditional whole-grain oat noodle from northern China, has been enjoyed for generations. Today, its popularity has grown to the point where restaurant chains with more than 400 locations have emerged in major cities. High in protein and dietary fiber, oat noodles provide excellent satiety even in a single serving, creating new value for health-conscious noodle products.
Premix Flour
Naked oats can also be used in premix products for tempura, fried chicken, okonomiyaki, pancakes, and many other applications. Proprietary processing technology creates a uniquely light texture that differs from conventional wheat flour. Even after cooling, products maintain a crispy, fluffy, and crunchy texture.
About HighChem’s Food Development Project
HighChem Company Limited serves as a bridge between the Japanese and Chinese food industries, developing next-generation food businesses by combining the strengths of both countries.
By combining China’s abundant raw materials and exceptional production capacity with Japan’s rigorous quality control and product development expertise, we aim to create new, high-value food solutions.
Our core business activities include introducing Chinese food products and ingredients to the Japanese market, supporting Chinese food manufacturers entering Japan, and jointly developing products with major Japanese food companies. We provide comprehensive support ranging from raw material sourcing and OEM partner development to supply chain construction.
HighChem’s strengths lie in three key areas: trade capabilities, negotiation expertise, and market intelligence. Leveraging our ability to source difficult-to-import ingredients, our bilingual Japanese-Chinese staff, and our sales network covering all of China, we provide hands-on support for our clients’ projects. If you are interested in utilizing Chinese food ingredients, including oats, please feel free to contact us.
For Those Interested in Oats
Oats are an outstanding food ingredient rich in dietary fiber, protein, and minerals. Among them, naked oats from northern China have attracted significant attention as a next-generation ingredient due to their high nutritional density and broad application potential.
If you are interested in sourcing Chinese food ingredients such as naked oats or developing new food products, please feel free to contact HighChem Company Limited, your bridge between the Japanese and Chinese food industries.
Here is information on HighChem's oat-related products. Please feel free to contact us for detailed specifications, lead times, quotations, and other inquiries.
