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Cooking Barley Grain
History and Healthy Benefits
Delicious Beef and Chicken Barley Soup Recipes,
Bread, and More...

Learn about cooking Barley grain from its history and health benefits to delicious chicken and beef barley soup recipes with vegetables, mushrooms, and a crisp yet moist barley bread.
barley plants picture

What Is It?

This ancient whole grain is used primarily in soups, salads, and breads. Many of these recipes call for Pearl Barley which means the grain has had its outer most hull and bran layers polished off. While pearled grain is less chewy and easier to cook, it has lost some of its nutrition. Hulled is the most nutritious form of this remarkable whole grain and barley picture of grain in field the same type that ancient warriors and athletes revered for its ability to make one strong.

History of Barley

The gladiators of Rome, renowned for their physical strength and ferocity in battle, were called Hordearii, meaning "Eaters of Barley". The Romans were not alone in their respect for this ancient grain. Babylonian, Greek, and Chinese cultures also believed that great strength and virility could be achieved by eating Barley.

This wonder food of the Old World is not only nutritious but very versatile. It is used in the production of beer and flour for baking. It can be boiled in soups, and steeped to make tea or Barley water (for medicinal use). It is also commonly used in breakfast porridge in its pearled, flaked, or grits form. Modern scientific research has found it to have more health benefits than our ancestors ever imagined.
Health Benefits of Barley
Click here to learn all of nutrition information for this healthy whole grain...

Where to Buy
Find out where to buy this nutritious grain locally and online...

How To Cook?

Rinse it first then combine 1 part Barley grain with 2 1/2 parts water. Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 - 40 minutes or until water is absorbed. If you want a faster cooking time, soak it overnight to reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes.
Taste
It has a nutty and chewy texture that many people find appealing.

Shelf-Life
Whether pearled or hulled, Barley grain will store up to 1 year if
stored properly.


Favorite Barley Recipes




beef barley soup recipes


Beef Barley Soup Recipe

barley picture

This is a warm and tender soup. It is a slow cooker or crockpot recipe that will take about 10 hours.

Vegetable Pearl Barley Soup Recipe

With zucchini, garlic, onion, carrots, and celery, this is one of our healthiest recipes with this whole food.

Chicken Barley Soup

From easy recipes to a savory southern dish, they are all nutritious and delicious.

Recipes for Mushroom and Barley Grain Soup

We feature several and they all taste great and are easy to make.

Barley Bread Recipe

A delicious and healthier alternative to corn bread.

More Recipes

From roasted Barley tea to Scottish pudding. Explore the recipes on this page and enjoy this whole grain's sweet, nutty taste while reaping the good health this grain has provided mankind for thousands of years.

Your Barley Grain Recipes, Tips, and Techniques?

Do you have a health tip, cooking trick or favorite Barley grain recipe? Post it here and the most popular entries will also be highlighted on our homepage!

Enter The Title of Your Tip, Technique, or Recipe






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