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Rye (in Latin: Secale cereale L.) originates – like wheat and barley – from the Near East. Even today it is widespread there in wild form.
In its home region, however, rye was not consciously cultivated, but migrated as “weed” in the first wheat and barley populations (approx. 8,000 B.C.). By natural selection it developed typical crop traits in the further stages, just like other grain species.
Unlike other grain species rye can naturally be found in heights of up to 2,500 metres. This vigour has ensured its successful extension in Central Europe since the early Middle Ages.
Today rye is a European crop species. Worldwide rye is grown to 90 % in the RYE BELT of Europe.
