Why are breakfast foods called cereal?

The word "cereal" doesn't refer to all breakfast foods, but rather to a specific type of breakfast food made from grains.

Here's why:

* Grains: The word "cereal" comes from the Latin word "cerealis," which referred to the goddess of agriculture, Ceres. Grains like wheat, rice, oats, and barley were considered to be her gifts.

* Early Processed Grains: Over time, "cereal" became associated with these grains themselves. Early "cereals" were simply processed versions of these grains, like cracked wheat or rolled oats.

* Modern Cereal: Today, "cereal" refers to a wider range of breakfast foods made from these grains, including ready-to-eat cereals, granola, and breakfast bars.

So, while "cereal" is often used to refer to breakfast foods in general, it actually refers to the type of grain-based food that forms the foundation of many breakfasts.