Black oats (Avena strigosa) are a cereal grain primarily known for their historical use as both human food and animal forage. Although no longer widely cultivated for human consumption, black oats were once grown in regions such as northern Scotland, where they were consumed as a grain and used for feeding livestock. Today, black oats are mainly cultivated in South America, particularly in Brazil, where they are utilized for forage and as a cover crop. While their primary use is in animal feed due to their high protein content and favorable nutritive properties, black oats also serve as a valuable crop for soil improvement through their dense root system.
The grain itself is rarely found in modern culinary practices, but historically, it was an important source of sustenance in marginal farming areas. In modern agriculture, black oats are recognized for their role in sustainable farming practices, such as nutrient removal from wastewater and reducing soil contamination.
Note that not all oats that are black are "black oats"; black varieties of common oats (Avena sativa) are popular especially in France.