It is considered the oldest grain crop that is known to mankind - references to its cultivation date back to the historical times of the ancient world. For example, traces of this cereal have been found in Egyptian burials dating back to five thousand years BC. Barley was familiar to the ancient Ethiopians, who used it not only as a source of food, but also as a raw material for intoxicating drinks. This cereal was also grown in the Babylonian lands, on the territory of India, Asia, China, it was the most important culture of Ancient Rome. There is evidence that in the territory where Switzerland is now located, barley was known as early as the Stone Age.

The current sown area of ​​barley ranks fourth in the world, second only to wheat, corn and rice. This cereal owes its great popularity in agriculture to its short vegetative period, due to which it has time to ripen in fairly cold areas. Therefore, barley crops can be found even high in the mountains and far in the expanses of the northern regions. This culture is resistant to frost, withstands droughts and is undemanding to the composition of the soil.

Barley is used in a variety of industries. The bulk of the harvested grain turns into groats (for example, ordinary barley groats are made from barley). Barley flour serves as an additive in baking many types of bread. Bread is not baked entirely from barley flour - it crumbles a lot and stale too quickly. Barley flour is also used to produce a coffee substitute that does not contain caffeine.

A significant amount of grain goes to the production of raw materials for breweries - at the same time, grain is germinated to obtain malt. Also, barley grain serves as a feedstock in the production of edible grain alcohol (in the manufacture of such well-known alcoholic beverages like Scotch whiskey and English gin).

In addition to being used in the food industry, barley serves as the basis for the production of feed. Unrefined barley grain is added to feed for pigs and horses, as it surpasses even oats in nutritional value. Barley straw is also used as food for livestock. Sometimes, to obtain green fodder, barley is specially sown.

How to select and store barley products

When choosing barley products in a store, it makes sense to pay attention to barley groats. Indeed, in its production, unlike pearl barley, grinding and polishing technologies are not used, which has a positive effect on the preservation of nutrients and fiber. If you choose cereals in transparent packaging when buying, you can evaluate the quality of processing and the absence of impurities. The presence of moisture droplets inside a bag of pearl barley or barley groats is highly undesirable; pathogenic microorganisms quickly develop on wet groats (you can even get poisoned with such a product).

Barley porridge, being packed in polyethylene, is stored for a short time and becomes rancid. Cardboard containers should be preferred, in which the product will retain quality throughout the entire shelf life, which is from six to twelve months. The freshness of pearl barley can also be determined by the presence of a smell: the old pearl barley either does not have it at all, or it is musty.

Barley groats, depending on the degree of grinding, are divided into numbers from one to three; stores usually sell a mixture of all numbers. This cereal retains its beneficial features the entire period of storage (up to fifteen months). For long-term storage, it is better to pour it into a tightly closed container and keep it in a dark, dry place. Periodically, the groats are sorted out, checking to see if bugs have wound up in it.

barley calories

The calorie content of barley in the form of food grains is 288 kilocalories. After processing and turning into barley groats, the calorie content increases to 313 kcal. You can reduce the energy value of barley groats if you cook it together with other products. For example, barley porridge with potatoes “gives out” only 150 kcal, and cabbage soup with it is reduced in calories already up to 48 kcal.

Pearl barley is somewhat more nutritious - its calorie content is 320 kcal. Being boiled in water, barley porridge retains only 109 kcal, which is already a sufficient indicator for dietary food, while barley soup contains only 43 kcal per hundred grams. Excessive use of dairy products and butter in cereals from barley can, of course, significantly increase the calorie content of final dishes and reduce their dietary properties.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Useful properties of barley groats

Composition and presence of nutrients

Barley is a real storehouse of vitamins, macro and microelements. It contains a high content of fiber. And also, it contains vitamins of group B, PP, E, H, choline, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, sodium, calcium, potassium. The cereal contains iron, iodine and zinc, copper, selenium and molybdenum, silicon and manganese, chromium and fluorine, aluminum, titanium and zirconium.

Useful and medicinal properties

The inclusion of barley cereals and soups in the diet is recommended for those who are overweight. In this case, the fiber contained in it becomes a particularly useful element, which serves as an intestinal irritant and is practically not absorbed, increasing peristalsis.

For acute inflammatory diseases intestines, a mucous decoction of barley or barley groats (especially coarsely ground) is extremely useful. The positive effect of the barley diet is noticeable with eczema, psoriasis, pyoderma.

A decoction of barley flour will help with a cold. For skin diseases, a bath with a grain decoction is used. Barley skin is known for its diuretic properties.

In fevers, barley water has a cooling and moisturizing effect. It is used as in pure form, and with fennel and parsley.

Hot barley ointment will help get rid of freckles. Gout will recede if you prepare a healing bandage of barley, vinegar and quince. Barley malt improves metabolism, helps get rid of boils and acne.

In diabetes, malt extract is useful.

Barley is also used in cosmetology in the production of shampoos, balms, creams.

Application in cooking

In addition to preparing porridges from barley or pearl barley, there are a lot of recipes and variations, barley groats are used in cooking soups, fish soup, and preparing a side dish. There are some features that should be considered when using barley groats.

In R. Akhmetov's humanitarian aid, I always find a package of barley groats. Mom doesn't know how to cook. At the request of my father, I made a selection of recipes with barley groats.

Salad of beets and barley groats

A delicious and hearty barley groats salad with beets and cucumbers can be a side dish, as well as a full breakfast or dinner. Undeservedly bypassed by culinary attention, barley groats in this dish perfectly complement vegetables with their taste and beneficial properties.

How to make barley groats salad:

Boil the beets in their skins until soft (about an hour). Cool, peel and cut into very small cubes.

Cucumbers and onions are also cut into small pieces.

We mix barley groats with cucumbers, beets and onions. Add chopped parsley, olive oil to the barley groats salad and salt to taste.

Barley porridge with meatballs

Ingredients:

• Barley (or wheat) groats - 6 tbsp. l.
• Water - 1.5 stack.
• Salt
• Allspice
• sweet paprika
• Minced meat - 150 g

Cooking:

Porridge from barley groats and grated potatoes

Boil liquid porridge from barley groats, add grated raw potatoes and, stirring well, cook for 15 minutes or bake in the oven. when serving, pour porridge with lard fried with onions.

Shchi of stewed cabbage, beans and barley groats with pork

Pour pre-soaked beans, sliced ​​pork cold water and cook until the beans are done.

Add barley groats and cook cabbage soup until the groats are ready.

Put sauerkraut, bring to a boil and season with garlic crushed with salt.

Serve with sour cream and herbs.

Barley groats casserole

Barley porridge is cooked. Butter or margarine is ground with sugar until it dissolves, egg yolks are added. Dried apples are boiled in sugar water. Combine chilled porridge, prepared butter and apples, mix well, add whipped proteins. The resulting mass is filled into a mold sprinkled with breadcrumbs and baked in the oven at medium heat. They eat a cold casserole with fruit and berry sauces.

Barley porridge with chicken fillet

Ingredients:

Complex porridge "Dubinushka" (from the hungry 90s)

Ingredients for "Porridge" Dubinushka "":

Which is cut into portions.

Barley porridge "Cuba"

Barley groats are obtained by crushing unpolished barley, one of the most valuable agricultural crops. She has high calorie content, useful and medicinal properties, compared with the insignificant harmful properties of cereals. Proper storage of cereals contributes to the preparation of delicious nutritious porridge. In the public understanding, barley and barley groats are one and the same.

Composition

According to the content of minerals and vitamins, barley groats are at an average level, among the indicators of other cereals. It contains a significant content of phosphorus, manganese, potassium, niacin, iron, riboflavin, vitamin: B4, B6, PP and other elements. They have a positive effect on the human body with their nutritional properties. This characterizes barley groats as a product with sufficient nutritional value.

The nutritional value

During processing, the groats are not polished or ground, and this allows you to save a large amount of fiber in it. In terms of nutritional value, barley groats are close to wheat grinding groats. However, the amino acid composition of proteins differs from wheat groats, and has more valuable composition. The main position among 60% of unsaturated fatty acids is occupied by linoleic acid.

calories

The calorie content of barley groats is 324 kcal per 100 gr.

Ratio energy value product:

• 1.3 gr. fat - ~ 12 kcal;
• 10 gr. proteins - ~ 40 kcal;
• 71.7 gr. carbohydrates - ~ 287 kcal.

Useful properties of barley

The historical significance of barley is very high. This cereal belongs to ancient world. It was grown in Ancient Rome, and was considered not only the most important food consumed, but was also used in the preparation of drinks. There is evidence of the growth of barley even in the Stone Age.

Barley is used in various branches of the national economy. A large amount of grain goes to processing. The resulting barley groats - barley, is an excellent product for making porridge. Barley flour is used for baking bread and in the production of coffee substitutes.

Barley is also used in the production of feed for horses and pigs. In terms of nutritional properties, grain is better than oats. In the feed it goes in the form of barley straw. To get green fodder, barley is sown specifically for this.

The benefits of barley groats and treatment

The nutritional properties of barley groats are used in dietary and baby food. Due to these properties, it is able to positively affect the human body. Groats are recommended for people with gastrointestinal diseases, due to the bactericidal effect produced: softens and envelops the walls of the stomach. Kissel and a decoction of barley are used for constipation.

• normalize work nervous system;
• contribute to the improvement of hematopoietic function;
• restore metabolic processes;
• hormonal balance is maintained;
• improve heart function;
• normalize blood pressure;
• reduce blood cholesterol and sugar levels.

The immunostimulating and restorative effect of cereals on the body is through the strengthening of cartilage and bone tissue. Therefore, barley groats are recommended to athletes for muscle growth. The groats also have an antiviral effect on herpes, flu and other infections.

Being a dietary food product, cereals are used in a diet to reduce weight. Due to the low glycemic index, it is recommended for diabetics. Moderate consumption of cereals slows down the aging process of the human body. The groats calcined in a frying pan, applied in a bag to the eye, will help get rid of barley on the eye.

Harm of barley groats and contraindications

Groats are harmful for people who have an individual intolerance to the product. It is also not recommended for use by pregnant women. Due to a large number fiber, cereals are recommended for children in the diet only after one year. During the period of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, barley groats are contraindicated. Regular consumption of cereals in large doses leads to weight gain, and later to obesity.

Increased content gluten in cereals, if consumed excessively in the diet, it can cause:

• hyperacidity stomach;
• flatulence;
• allergic reactions.

How to cook barley porridge

Barley groats, how to cook such a product, the answer to this question has long been known to culinary specialists. Barley porridge has useful qualities, so most often it is an indispensable product in baby food. It is also great for a balanced diet. You can cook porridge in water and milk. A special cooking technology will help to cook porridge with high quality, while preserving all nutrients during heat treatment.

Porridge made from barley groats when cooking requires the following important tips:

1. It is important to take into account the volume of the pan, since when cooking, cereals increase in volume up to five times.
2. The pan should have thick walls and a bottom to avoid burning the porridge.
3. Cereals soaked overnight will cook faster in 15 minutes.
4. Thick porridge will turn out using 2 glasses of water, and liquid - 3 glasses.
5. Observe constant stirring during cooking.
6. Cook porridge only on moderate heat.

To prepare barley porridge, you need:

• one glass of barley groats;
• 2 glasses of water;
• 1 st. a spoonful of oil;
• 1/3 spoon of salt.

Recipe sequence:

1. Grain, stirring, rinse with water.
2. Throw in boiling water and cook until boiling.
3. Reduce heat to medium, add salt and oil.
4. Insist 15-20 minutes.

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How to choose and how to store barley groats

Barley groats are sold in packages and by weight. In cereals by weight, you can rarely see information about the product. In this regard, such cereals can deteriorate faster. The presence of beaten grains, husks and dust is not excluded in it. It does not guarantee the proper quality of the product.

When choosing cereals, it is important to consider the condition of the grains:

• dry;
• not stuck together;
• the same size;
• whole;
• identical color;
• without foreign smell.

The cereal packed in the box must be selected according to the description of the product.

Be sure to check:

• food composition;
• information about the manufacturer;
• availability of GOST;
• production date;
• best before date;
• package integrity.

It is necessary to store barley groats in compliance with important conditions that help to preserve all the useful properties of a natural product.

The storage location must contain the following conditions:

1. Dry and dark storage place.
2. Absence of moisture and extraneous odors.
3. It is advisable to use a glass container with a lid.

Revered by all, barley groats are the richest source of nutrients. It has found wide application not only in the diet, but also as medicinal product. Praised by ancient healers and Egyptian pharaohs until now, it has not lost its value and relevance. Nature has generously endowed us with such a useful product that helps us not only enjoy it delicious dish but also forget about diseases.

Barley is rightfully considered the most ancient crop cultivated by mankind. Mentions of this cereal can be found on the pages of the Bible and other ancient treatises. Due to the benefits for the human body, barley was used by ancient healers, this is evidenced by archaeological finds in the territories belonging to Ancient Rome and Jordan. Cereal grains collected 5 thousand years BC. e. scientists recovered from Egyptian burials, which confirmed the fact of their use as the main product of food and medicinal raw materials.

In modern agriculture, the sown areas of barley occupy the 4th place in the world after wheat, corn and rice. A short growing season, the undemanding nature of the plant to the composition of the soil, the ability to withstand drought and frost make it possible to grow a crop even in the northern regions.

The benefits and harms of barley for our health, due to the presence in the cereal of a vast amount of biologically active components: vitamins, dietary fiber, macro and microelements, have been used for many millennia to maintain a full existence and human health.

IN medieval Europe barley was considered a peasant food, while wheat was eaten only by the "upper" strata of the population. Only much later, potatoes replaced barley dishes on the tables of the poor.

Benefits of barley - 10 health benefits

1. Regulates the digestive tract

   A distinctive feature of barley groats is that it contains about 10% of vegetable protein, which our body absorbs completely. Also, one grain of cereal includes 5 - 6% fiber, an important component for the normal functioning of the intestines.

   Our tables often contain low-fiber foods that are not able to give a long feeling of satiety, as a result, we overeat and gain unwanted kilograms. Barley, rich in dietary fiber, contributes to the rapid saturation of the body and, in addition, fiber helps maintain optimal microflora in the intestines, participating in the synthesis of essential substances for the body, such as vitamins, amino acids and hormones.

   The use of cereals in the diet will have a positive effect on the activity of the intestines, barley helps to accelerate the promotion of the contents of the large intestine and allows you to quickly cleanse the stomach, while eliminating the risk of constipation and hemorrhoids.

   Nutritionists claim that eating barley dishes helps a person feel better and live much longer. After all, it is rough food that helps the coordinated work of the entire digestive tract. No wonder in ancient Rome barley porridge was considered a dish of gladiators.

2. Helps maintain a stable body weight

   Barley grains, due to the presence of dietary fiber (B glucans), active enzymes and amino acids, prevent the process of increasing blood sugar peaks, which helps to reduce fat accumulation. Compared to other cereals, barley has fewer calories, so barley cereal porridge is recommended to control body weight.

   When preparing barley porridge, cereal grains swell and increase in volume, and when they get into the stomach, they allow you to get full faster and not feel hungry for a long time, which will make it possible to refuse frequent snacks and not gain excess weight.

3. Reduce symptoms of arthritis

   Copper is present in the chemical composition of cereals. This element is especially important in the diet of people suffering from arthritis. Having the ability to disarm free radicals, copper promotes the process of regeneration of body cells, and also participates in the synthesis of collagen, without which the process of building skeletal bones is not possible. For people suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis, eating barley dishes will help get rid of brittle bones and remove the risk of osteoporosis.

4. Prevention of colon cancer

   In the 20th century, scientists discovered a group of phenolic compounds in barley - lingans, which have antitumor activity and can resist the development of cancer in the body. Scientists have found that people who regularly include barley and other cereals in their diet are less prone to prostate, breast and colon cancer.

   As a prophylactic at home, you can prepare a decoction of barley cereals. Pre-washed grains are poured with water at room temperature at the rate of 200 grams of grains 2 liters of water and infused for about 6 hours. The settled mixture is brought to a boil and boiled for 15 minutes, then filtered and taken three times a day before meals.

5. Benefits for gallstones

   On the pages of the old Russian magazine about herbs, you can find a description of the beneficial properties of barley groats with stones in gallbladder: "Barley decoction is useful in severe bile diseases ..." Barley grains, filled with insoluble fiber, help reduce bile acid secretion, which reduces the risk of gallstones.

6. Anti-inflammatory qualities

   The composition of barley grains contains a wide range of active biological substances, enzymes and vitamins: copper, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, copper, vitamins B, PP, D. Nature has generously endowed the plant with such a rich list beneficial substances, due to which cereals have anti-inflammatory, softening and enveloping properties.

   As an anti-inflammatory agent, a slimy barley decoction prepared from coarsely ground grains is used. A handful of cereals is poured with water so that it covers all the seeds, let it brew for 3-4 hours, and then bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and wait until the mass cools down, filter through a sieve and take 2-3 tablespoons. If desired, you can add a decoction of silent honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Such a tool will be useful for skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis and pyoderma. It is also used to treat fungal infections on the skin.

7. For the endocrine system

   High levels of fiber favorably distinguish barley from cereals such as wheat, corn and rye, only oats can compete with it in terms of dietary fiber. This feature allows us to consider the culture good product diet food and excellent prophylactic diabetes 2 types. The use of barley dishes helps to normalize the level of insulin in the blood, and accelerate the excretion of glucose.

   Studies conducted in this area have shown that people who eat barley dishes have significantly reduced insulin and glucose readings, compared with other subjects.

8. Strengthens the immune forces of the body

   There is an undeniable truth - " Proper nutrition acts as a guarantor of increasing the body's defenses.

   Barley grains, loaded with phenolic ligans, support a "friendly" intestinal microflora, supporting the body's immune forces. In addition, the presence of vitamin C in cereals, a powerful antioxidant (its amount is 2 times more than in an orange), will strengthen the defenses, reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu and colds. The presence of iron will prevent the development of conditions of anemia, anemia and malnutrition. So, do not refuse a plate of barley porridge during the period of colds and colds.

9. Benefits for the female body

   British scientists noted in their studies that the consumption of food rich in fiber, which includes barley, has a beneficial effect on the health of premenopausal women. Data from one study claims that such a diet reduces the development of breast cancer by up to 59%.

   High levels of vitamin E in cereal will have a positive effect on maintaining a healthy skin condition for women, protecting its cells from oxygen deficiency and activating the production of additional collagen, which will certainly give not only the skin, but also hair and nails a fresh, healthy look.

10. Help with childhood asthma

    Infusions and decoctions of barley groats are effective tool against asthma attacks in children. The combination of vitamin C and E in cereals saturates barley drinks with powerful antioxidant properties aimed at normalizing the functioning of the respiratory system and reducing the spread of wheezing. Such funds home cooking able to reduce the likelihood of developing an asthma attack by 50%

Barley - harm and contraindications

According to the results of the study, barley has no special contraindications for use and cannot harm the body, except that some people may have individual intolerance to its components.

Barley, like all other cereals, contains gluten, which is not recommended by doctors for people who cannot tolerate this component. Otherwise, for those who adhere healthy eating and monitors their health, cereal will be a desirable product in the daily diet.

7 healing recipes with barley

1. We normalize the chair

   In case of problems with the stool, the following composition is prepared: 4 - 5 finely chopped pears (can be grated), mixed with half a glass of barley and 1.5 liters of water.

2. Eliminate coughing attacks with bronchitis and pneumonia

   We grind barley, oats and millet grains in equal amounts with a coffee grinder, add 2 tablespoons of raisins and pour everything with 1.5 liters of water. The resulting mixture is boiled until the liquid is completely evaporated. Let the mixture cool down and add a spoonful of honey, chicory and a little baked milk to it. We take it warm.

3. Strengthen the immune forces of the body in the postoperative period

   For those who have undergone surgery, strengthening the immune forces becomes a particularly urgent problem. For this purpose, the following remedy is prepared: half a liter hot water 40 - 50 grams of ground barley cereals are poured, the remedy is infused for 5 - 6 hours, and then boiled for 15 minutes over low heat. Strained drink is taken up to 3 times a day before meals.

4. Supplement for babies with artificial feeding

   For small children who are artificially fed, a decoction of barley is prepared. Pre-crushed 1 teaspoon of cereals is poured into a glass of water and boiled until the grains are completely softened. The resulting broth is added to ready-made milk mixtures. Pediatricians recommend such complementary foods until the baby reaches one year.

Barley is mentioned 20 times in the pages of the Bible.

Roman gladiators ate cereal dishes, thereby increasing muscle mass body.

The well-known barley and barley porridge is prepared from barley.

Fishermen use steamed barley as bait for fish.

Cereal flour is used in the production cosmetic product- women's powder and eye shadow.