A grain is a small, hard, dry seed, with or without an attached hull or fruit layer, harvested for consumption.
The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and legumes.
Dry grains are more durable than other staple foods, such as starchy fruits like plantains,and tubers like sweet potatoes.
Grains are small, hard and dry, they can be stored, measured, and transported more readily than can other kinds of food crops
Durability of grains makes allows it to be mechanically harvested, transported by rail or ship, stored for long periods in silos, and milled for flour or pressed for oil.
Its durability allows grain to be a major global commodity for maize, rice, soybeans, wheat and other grains.
Grains and cereal are synonymous with caryopses, the fruits of the grass family.
All cereal crops are members of the grass family.
Cereal grains contain a substantial amount of starch.