Barley groats - what they are made of, how they are used and how they differ from barley

Barley groats are highly crushed barley. The grains do not pass through grinding and polishing, so they do not shine and retain their uneven shape. However, the cereal is completely cleared of shells and remnants of flower films.

What is barley made from?

Most often, questions arise about what barley is made from. Barley groats are made from one of the oldest grains - barley. This crop is extremely popular because it combines great health benefits and ease of cultivation.

Interesting fact! Nikolai Przhevalsky wrote about such cereals - the geographer was very surprised that the crop grows even in the inhospitable conditions of the Himalayas.

For a long time, this porridge was considered a festive dish; it was often prepared in rich noble houses. Now it is less popular than buckwheat, pearl barley and rice. Many people don’t even know what kind of porridge is made from the egg.

What is contained in 100 grams of barley

100 g of cereal contains 2.3 g of fat, 12.48 g of protein, 73.48 g of carbohydrates and 9.44 g of water. The energy value of cereal is 354 kcal per 100 g. The chemical composition also contains other useful substances:

The cereal also has a fairly high fiber content - 17.3 g per 100 g of product.

Who and why is barley useful?

Barley groats are often used to feed children because they are rich in vitamins and microelements and have a pleasant taste. Cereals are often also bought for the sake of saving money – yachka is pleasing for its price, especially considering that it satisfies you for a long time.

Here are some beneficial properties of cereals that can be beneficial for the whole family:

• High calorie content, which allows you to recharge your energy in the morning and go longer without additional meals.
• Improves digestion, speeds up metabolism, helps get rid of constipation.
• Helps suppress any manifestations of allergies.
• Creates a long-lasting feeling of satiety.
• Contains a lot of gluten and, in comparison with other cereals, contains a lot of protein. It is because of this that cereals are often used for recovery after operations.
• With constant use, it helps to lift your mood, cope with symptoms of depression and survive the seasonal blues.
• Improves skin condition, helps cope with minor expression lines or age-related wrinkles.

If there are other vitamins and microelements in the composition, this makes the porridge especially healthy. That is why nutritionists highly recommend introducing eggs into your diet.

Kinds

Barley groats do not have separate varieties and types. Cereals do not differ in what grain they are made from. But there is a classification according to the size of the grains - the first, second and third levels. The first one is the largest of them.

There is also a separate rolled grain. It is obtained by grinding ordinary barley between two millstones. Such cereals visually become very similar to oatmeal.

What is cooked from barley - 10 popular dishes

Barley has been extremely popular for many years, so many recipes have been created with it. Here are the 10 most popular yachka dishes:

1. Barley with meat - pork is most often used, but for a dietary version it can also be prepared with chicken.
2. Porridge with milk - this breakfast is prepared quickly and can be varied with different additives - berries, honey, cottage cheese or fruit.
3. Yachka with vegetables is an excellent side dish, especially suitable for lovers of this dish with rice who want to add a little variety to their menu.
4. Barley porridge with sauerkraut is an unusual but very tasty combination that can be used as a side dish, as a separate dish, or as a filling for pies.
5. Appetizer with herbs and cheese - you can choose the herbs to suit your taste and get a unique dish every time. But it’s better to choose cheese that melts well.
6. Kvass - this traditional drink is also made from barley processed in a certain way.
7. Cutlets – barley makes excellent cutlets that can replace a meat dish for those who are trying to give up animal foods.
8. Soup - yes, this dish can also be prepared with barley. It turns out very light and is great for a diet.
9. Barley jelly - it is believed that this drink significantly helps in losing weight.
10. Kolivo - this dish is a mixture of barley and poppy porridge.

In addition, there are many options for porridges with barley, which differ in different cooking techniques and fillings. Like any cereal, yochka encourages experimentation; you can use it to prepare soups, side dishes, breakfasts, and numerous drinks.

How to choose high-quality barley groats in the store

There are several rules by following which you can choose high-quality barley groats:

• If you buy cereal by weight, it is very important to pay attention to the smell. There should be no foreign odors, especially mustiness and mold.
• Look at the visuals. The main thing is to pay attention to the color. All cereals should look light; no dark fractions, insects or foreign objects should be visible inside.
• Best before date. It is important to look specifically at the production date, not the packaging date.
• Compound. There should be nothing in it except the cereal itself. It is better to add any additives like salt or sugar yourself during cooking - this way you can control their quantity.
• Package. It must be completely sealed, otherwise the cereal will deteriorate during transportation and storage, even if the expiration date is met.

It is always better to buy cereal that has been produced quite recently - this way, subject to all storage conditions, you can keep it at home for as long as possible. The main danger that barley groats can pose is insects and parasites, so if you notice something living in the groats, you should immediately throw out the entire pack.

Questions and answers

Can barley be polished?

Typically barley does not go through the grinding and polishing process. However, some manufacturers polish their product - such cereal options can be found in stores.

Why is barley often compared to pearl barley?

Barley and pearl barley are made from the same grain. However, there is a huge difference between these cereals in both appearance and taste. Barley groats consist of smaller fractions of uneven shape.At the same time, it is the one that is more useful, since it retains more fiber.