Pearl barley or pearl barley is made from barley, this cereal was one of the most common, although today it is used less often. Barley has a number of beneficial properties for human health, it contains many vitamins and minerals. Barley porridge is cooked for a long time, about an hour.
What is pearl barley?
Pearl barley or pearl barley is made from barley. This is an ancient culture that has been known to mankind since about the same time as wheat. Barley was a very popular cereal in the past, it grows well in all areas, it can be grown even in unfavorable cold climates or in semi-deserts. It was used to make cereals of various grinds, flour for making bread, and used it as a measure of weight. Today barley is far from being as widespread as it used to be - only in brewing it is actively used, but barley is no longer so popular, and in vain.
Pearl barley is made from barley kernels, which are peeled from the shells (their remnants can remain on the cereal, which only adds to its benefits, since they contain fiber). Pearl barley kernels have a rounded shape, white-yellow color, thanks to which the groats got their name - the French word "perle" is translated as "pearl".
The benefits of barley
Pearl barley contains a whole complex of vitamins, thanks to which porridge is considered one of the most useful. These are B vitamins, including B12, B6, B9, vitamins A, E, D and niacin. Thus, pearl barley acts as an antioxidant, promotes the formation of hemoglobin in the blood, ensures the correct functioning of the nervous system, and improves vision.
Pearl barley contains many amino acids and useful trace elements. Lysine in its composition takes part in the production of collagen in the human body, which has a beneficial effect on the skin and prevents early aging.
Barley porridge is good for the stomach, soothes with exacerbation of ulcers, it is recommended for patients with chronic colitis. It contains a lot of fiber, which is not absorbed by the body, but cleanses the intestines and improves digestion. Barley is useful for those who seek to get rid of extra pounds.
How to cook barley?
Pearl barley is used mainly for cooking porridge. It has one significant drawback: it takes a long time to cook. It takes at least 50 minutes for the beans to boil well, but it is better to soak the cereals in cold water beforehand so that they swell. For this, two or three hours are enough, after which the water is drained, the cereals are poured with hot boiled water and put on fire. Porridge is cooked until soft. To add flavor, you can put butter or tomato sauce in the barley.
Pearl barley is added to soups, especially often in pickle. It can be used instead of rice when preparing pilaf.
