Barley And Everything You Didn’t Know About It!
Barley is mainly known for its use in brewing as well as other alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, spirit and vodka . It is one of the basic raw materials used in the production of barley malt. In addition, it is also a nutrient and is used in the production of groats and as a fodder plant.
Today in the article you will learn a few secrets that barley hides and you will learn how to eat it best.
What is barley characterized by?
Barley ( Hordeum L. ) is a cereal crop with a sweetish taste. The grains are oblong, oval in shape and wrinkled. It is sown in the fall or spring in West Asia and Northeast Africa (the place of origin of the plant).
Along with wheat, maize and rice, it belongs to the group of the oldest and most important grains in the world. It can be sown in slightly irrigated soils and at different heights. For this reason, its cultivation is popular in many countries, except in very wet and tropical areas.
Canada and Russia are the largest producers of barley.
They are also a great choice for a nutritious breakfast. You can consume them with milk, yogurt or orange juice. In many parts of the world, barley is used in place of coffee.
The most popular use of barley is in the preparation of milkshakes (a type of smoothie widespread in the United States). In some countries, it is recommended to consume barley for pregnant and lactating women.
This grain is also an ingredient used in the production of beer and other spirits.
A few interesting facts about barley bread
The first traces of using the plant as food were recorded as early as 12,000 years ago. The bread that Jesus multiplied is believed to be the barley bread.
Pythagoras and Plato strongly advised their students to consume this product. It was supposed to improve concentration, thought processes and understanding of science. Meanwhile, Galen and Hippocrates encouraged people to drink barley water to cure all kinds of diseases
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In traditional Chinese medicine, this grain is used to heal the liver and treat spring allergies.
Nutritional properties of barley
Barley is believed to be one of the oldest crops grown and consumed by man. Compared to other grains, it has many nutritional properties. We find more protein in it than in wheat, and less gluten. For this reason, the barley bread is firmer and less fluffy.
In some parts of the world, the two plants are properly mixed together and thus provide additional nutritional value to the products.
It is also known that barley has many minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace elements (copper, zinc, sulfur, iron, iodine). It is ideal for children diagnosed with growth disorders.
