Barley The Nutritious Grain

 Barley The Nutritious Grain

Barley is stated by historians to be the oldest of all cultivated grains. It seems to have been the principal bread plant among the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. The Jews especially held the grain in high esteem, and sacred history usually uses it interchangeably with wheat, when speaking of the fruits of the Earth. 

Among the early Greeks and Romans, barley was almost the only food of the common people and the soldiers. The flour was made into gruel, after the following recipe: "Dry, near the fire or in the oven, twenty pounds of barley flour, then parch it. Add three pounds of linseed meal, half a pound of coriander seeds, two ounces of salt, and the water necessary." If an especially delectable dish was desired, a little millet was also added to give the paste more "cohesion and delicacy." Barley was also used whole as a food, in which case it was first parched, which is still the manner of preparing it in some parts of Palestine and many districts of India, also in the Canary Islands, where it is known as  gofio .  

In the time of Charles I, barley meal took the place of wheat almost entirely as the food of the common people in England. In some parts of Europe, India, and other Eastern countries, it is still largely consumed as the ordinary farinaceous food of the peasantry and soldiers. The early settlers of New England also largely used it for bread making.  
Barley is less nutritious than wheat, and to many people is less agreeable in flavor. It is likewise somewhat inferior in point of digestibility. Its starch cells being less soluble, they offer more resistance to the gastric juice. 

There are several distinct species of barley, but that most commonly cultivated is designated as two-rowed, or two-eared barley. In general structure, the barley grain resembles wheat and oats. 
Simply deprived of its outer husk, the grain is termed  Scotch milled  or  pot barley . Subjected still further to the process by which the fibrous outer coat of the grain is removed, it constitutes what is known as  pearl barley . Pearl barley ground into flour is known as  patent barley . Barley flour, owing to the fact that it contains so small a proportion of gluten, needs to be mixed with wheaten flour for bread-making purposes. When added in small quantity to whole-wheat bread, it has a tendency to keep the loaf moist, and is thought by some to improve the flavor. 

The most general use made of this cereal as a food, is in the form of pearl, or Scotch, barley.

Barley is one of the most important cereal crops cultivated in all agricultural regions across the world. Barley is high in proteins, and carbohydrates, including Beta-glucan, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Barley is gaining popularity among agricultural and culinary experts due to its unique chemical composition and health benefits. Beta-glucans, a kind of soluble fiber found in barley, may help decrease cholesterol levels. Consuming barley could reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 

Barley also contains antioxidant qualities and may help manage blood sugar levels. It is thought to be a beneficial supplement to a balanced diet for persons at risk of cardiovascular disease. Barley has been shown to have antitumor properties through regulating the immune system and limiting cancer cell proliferation and dissemination. Furthermore, barley possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which may contribute to its anticancer potential. Barley and barley-based food products have a broad range of applications in a variety of sectors, including food, beverage, bread, animal feed, and cosmetic ingredients. 

This review investigates the phytochemicals found in barley, such as phenolic acid, flavonoids, lignans, tocols, phytosterols, and folates. This review also highlights the health benefits of barley, such as cholesterol and blood sugar reduction, anticancer activity, anti-oxidant and detoxifying properties, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. This paper discusses the several properties, uses of barley, health promotion activity of barley and different aspects, as well as current and future advances in developing various value-added products of barley.

An Essay on Barley and Beer: A Brief History and Review

free to read on kindle device or app!!

click to view

One of the world’s widely consumed alcoholic beverages, beer, is produced by the process of brewing. The said process involves the saccharification of starch and the fermentation of its sugar. The enzymes needed to produce the beer are often extracted from malted cereal grains. Malted wheat and malted barley are the most common grains for beer.

Twill & Basket Pearl Barley Grain 2 lb - 100% Natural, Kosher, Rich in Nutrients, 5-Step Cleaned, Hulled Barley Nutty Flavour for Cooking & Baking

• Nutrient-Rich and 100% Natural: Packed with essential nutrients, this quick cook barley is 100% natural and cleaned to perfection for a wholesome addition to your diet.
• Kosher Food Certified: Prepared to the highest standards, this barley grain is Kosher certified and meticulously sorted to ensure a completely bug-free product.
• Nutty Flavour, Endless Uses: Enjoy Twill & Basket whole grain barley with its rich, nutty taste that complements soups, salads, stews, and baking recipes, making it a versatile staple for your pantry.
• High Fibre for Digestive Health: With a high content of insoluble fibre, our barley seeds supports healthy digestion, keeping you feeling great every day.
• 5-Step Sorted and Cleaned: Our 5-step cleaning process ensures the hulled barley is pure and ready to use, saving you time in the kitchen without compromising on quality.