A cereal grain, Avena sativa, grown mainly in cool, temperate regions of North America, Northern Europe, and parts of Asia. Believed to have first spread as a weed among wheat and barley crops in the Fertile Crescent before being deliberately cultivated in Europe, oats are best known today as a breakfast staple, cooked as porridge or used in muesli and granola, but they also appear in breads, cookies, and muffins and act as a binder in veggie burgers and meatloaf. Their mild, nutty flavor pairs well with cinnamon, honey, maple, and fruit, and their soluble fiber has been linked to lower cholesterol and steadier blood sugar.