Crossword Genius

Split grain young chap brought from east (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dal

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'split grain' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both quantities as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'young chap brought from east' is the wordplay.
'young chap' becomes 'lad' (I've seen this before).
'brought from east' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (letters go right to left or east to west).
'lad' backwards is 'DAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dal that I've seen before include "Pigeon pea" , "Indian dish of pulses" , "Indian pulse puree" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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