Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain which is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus Triticum; the most widely grown is common wheat.
Wheat, used for white bread, pastries, pasta, and pizza, has been the principal cereal crop since the 18th century. Wheat was introduced by the first English colonists and quickly became the main cash crop of farmers who sold it to urban populations and exporters.