By Ralph E. Whitesides, Extension Agronomist
There are several species of cultivated wheat and numerous wild grasses that are closely related to wheat. To aid in plant characterization and marketing, wheat has been separated into several commercial classes based on color, hardness of the kernel, and growing season. Some common types of wheat include:
hard red spring, hard red winter, soft red winter, soft white spring, and soft white winter. The color of the wheat kernel depends upon the wheat type and may be amber, red, purple, or creamy white. Red and white wheats are the most common in the United States.