Barley is a cereal derived from Hordeum vulgare, an annual grass of family Poaceae, grown for malting and livestock on land too poor and too cold for wheat. Barley is a widely adaptable crop, grown in over 100 countries worldwide. It is a principal feed grain in Canada, Europe and northern United States. Barley has a short growing season and is relatively drought tolerant.
Barley is used as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and whisky, certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods. Non-alcoholic drinks such as barley water and barley tea (called mugicha in Japan), have been made by boiling barley in water.
Barley contains eight essential amino acids, and eating whole grain barley can regulate blood sugar. This effect is attributed to colonic fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates. Barley can also used as a coffee substitute.
Hulled barley (or covered barley) is eaten after removing the inedible, fibrous outer hull.
Once the hull is removed, it is called dehulled barley (or pot barley or scotch barley). Dehulled barley still has its bran and germ, making it a nutritious and popular health food.
Pearl barley (or pearled barley) is the barley which has gone through dehulling process and removing of its bran, which may be further polished in a process known as pearling. Pearl barley is the most common form of barley for human consumption. Pearl barley and wheat have similar caloric, protein, vitamin and mineral contents.
Dehulled or pearl barley may be further processed into a variety of barley products, including flour, flakes similar to oatmeal, and grits.
Hulless or 'Naked' barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) is a form of domesticated barley with an easier to remove hull.
Barley-meal is a wholemeal barley flour, lighter than wheatmeal but darker in color, is used in porridge and gruel in Scotland. Barley is used in a wide range of traditional Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish dishes. In Saudi Arabia, barley soup is traditionally eaten during Ramadan.
Barley is a traditional food plant in Africa, where it has the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.
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T.Voekler
