Which of the shiva minim takes up the most space on planet Earth?
One of the most important plants there is, more land is dedicated to growing wheat than any other crop in the world. Wheat covers 545 million acres of planet Earth. It can be used to make an incredible variety of foods, including cookies, halva, beer, noodles, cereal, couscous, and of course bread! Wheat is also nutritious, containing vegetable protein, fiber, and vitamin B. Whole wheat, which contains the bran and germ, is more nutritious than refined wheat, which has been stripped of its outer layer. Along with six other crops, wheat is one of the shiva minim of Eretz Yisrael. It is also one of the five species of grain, which hold a special status in halacha. Wheat has shaped human history, and is still very important in feeding people around the world.
