Cud is a portion of food that returns from a ruminants stomach to the mouth to be chewed for the second time. More precisely, it is a bolus of semi-degraded food regurgitated from the reticulorumen of a ruminant. Cud is produced during the physical digestive process of rumination. Ruminants, such as cattle, giraffes, goats, sheep, alpacas, and antelope, are unable to produce the enzymes required to break down the cellulose and hemicellulose of plant matter. Accordingly, these animals rely on a symbiotic relationship with a wide range of microbes, which largely reside in the reticulorumen, and which are able to synthesize the requisite enzymes.

Cows need to be comfortable and relaxed to chew their cud, and usually lie down to do it. They can lie down for very long periods of time, not to sleep, but just to chew their cud. Health Benefits Of Chewing Cud... Cud-chewing cows are generally healthier. With a well-functioning rumen, cows will digest more of their diet and produce more milk. That’s why farmers pay close attention to whether or not their cows chew their cud, and some have even installed monitors to help them keep an eye on the herd’s cud-chewing activity.

A cud on a coin is a damaged area resembling a blob on the surface of a coin. The cud is raised above the field, obliterating the device or inscription where it appears. Cuds result from die cracks or significant pieces of the die breaking away.