The local varieties of hard wheat in Messinia are Triticum durum and Mavragani. A kind of coarsely ground wheat is bulgur, which belongs to whole grain cereals. Local delicacies such as bread, Maniatiko paximadi, lalaggia, trachanas, and diples are produced from wheat.
Wheat is rich in carbohydrates and complex B vitamins, elements that provide energy and contribute to the development of the human body. Specifically, carbohydrates constitute the only energy source for the development of the brain and the nervous system. Wheat provides energy while its proteins contribute to the development of new tissues. As a fiber-rich cereal, wheat contributes to the healthy function of the digestive system and the regulation of diabetes, has a positive effect on blood lipids, controls constipation, and prevents diverticular disease by decreasing the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood. Furthermore, wheat is a good source of manganese, which helps proteins and carbohydrates produce energy and is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, necessary for a healthy nervous system.