What kind of pearl barley is made from. Barley - a pearl among cereals

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The history of pearl barley

Pearl barley is one of the oldest grain crops, which was cultivated by man more than 10 thousand years ago. The name of the cereal - "barley" for porridge comes from the old Russian word "perly", which means - river pearls. Pearl barley received such a comparison due to the external similarity of polished barley grains with pearls.

About pearl barley

Pearl barley is made from the family of cereals - barley, from which the top layer (bran) is removed during processing, and then polished and polished. Most often, porridge is cooked from barley.

There are several varieties of pearl barley:

ordinary barley- groats from whole barley, from which the shell has just been removed. As a result of the minimum machining it retains most of the lip fibers that are beneficial to the body.
"Dutch"- a whole grain, rolled up to a ball, completely freed from the awn. It is quickly cooked, porridge from it turns out to be more delicate than barley.
barley grits- in fact, this is an ordinary pearl barley, only crushed.

Choice of pearl barley

Choice of pearl barley should be based on its color. Quality product may be white, yellowish, even with a hint of green. The presence of any impurities in the packaging is excluded. If they are, the manufacturer does not monitor the quality of the cereal.

It is better to buy pearl barley in cardboard packaging.. In this it differs from most cereals, for which cellophane sealed bags are preferred. The fact is that during storage, the kernels give off the moisture contained in them. Condensation forms in cellophane, which is an ideal environment for the development of microorganisms. If you notice droplets of moisture inside the package, it is absolutely impossible to buy such a product, they can be poisoned. Plus, such cereals can have a rancid taste. Barley can be stored in a cardboard box for 6-12 months. When opening the package, the cereal should be smelled. The presence of a musty smell or its complete absence indicates that the product is old.

At home, barley should be stored in a ventilated container. It can be a jar with a loose lid or a cardboard box. Put it in a dark place.

The benefits of pearl barley

Pearl barley contains a large number of trace elements(iodine, nickel, zinc, bromine, calcium, strontium, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese, copper, iron and chromium) and necessary vitamins(B, PP, K, E, D, A), and is also rich in fiber, which contributes to the normal functioning of the intestines.

Main useful qualities barley porridge:

pearl barley contains lysine. It is an amino acid involved in the production of hormones, antibodies and digestive enzymes. In foods, lysine is not common, but getting it from food is extremely important, since the amino acid is indispensable, that is, it is not produced in our body. Red meat and soy are good sources. But in the greatest volume it is contained in cheap pearl barley.
a lot in pearl barley. Another valuable trace element, the presence of which in the diet depends on the intensity of calcium absorption. Moreover, there is a lot of phosphorus in cereals - up to 350 mg per 100 grams of the product. The record holder is cereals and in terms of content potassium necessary for the health of the heart, blood vessels.
barley contains B vitamins. They are required for normal operation. nervous system. For this reason, the use of cereals is recommended for people experiencing significant nervous stress. And the regular use of barley in food has an anti-stress effect.
barley contains 77% carbohydrates. However, the calorie content of barley porridge is low. This is due to the fact that its carbohydrates are absorbed for a long time, for several hours. A long feeling of satiety and a low glycemic index become the basis for the use of the product in a healthy diet. Groats are recommended for overweight people due to their satiety, sick diabetes, since when it enters the body it does not cause a "splash" of sugar in the blood.
pearl barley contains more fiber than even wheat, due to which it removes intestinal toxins from the body, adsorbs toxins, formed during the life of the conditionally pathogenic intestinal microflora. Barley can even cure allergies. Barley grain contains a natural antibacterial agent - hordecin, this substance is actively used for flexible infections of the skin.

Harm of pearl barley

Barley is contraindicated in celiac disease (gluten enteropathy). With this disease, an allergy to barley protein (and some other cereals) - gluten (gliadin) is manifested. In this disease, consumption gluten cereals (wheat, rye, barley, oats) leads to the death of intestinal villi and malabsorption nutrients.

Barley porridge should not be included in the diet of children under 1 year old. It can cause indigestion, and if there is a tendency to celiac disease (it is genetically formed), it can cause slow absorption of nutrients in the intestines.

Preparation of pearl barley

To barley porridge showed a maximum of useful properties and pleased with a rich taste, you need to cook and use it correctly.

kernels must be soaked in water. The holding time is 12 hours, during this period the grains will swell and cook faster. If you boil them without soaking, the protein contained in them will curdle, and the barley will become tough.
The best way cooking - in a water bath. According to this recipe, porridge was cooked in Russia. Soaked kernels should be poured with milk (2 liters per glass of dry grain), boiled and put in a water bath to languish for 6 hours.
normal cooking time for barley- 50 minutes. Some varieties are boiled for an hour and a half, and pre-steamed barley from bags - about 45 minutes
2 cups of water are taken per glass of cereal, if necessary, the liquid is added. The foam must be removed manually with a spoon or slotted spoon, and the cereal itself must be washed before cooking. Ready cooked barley can be used as a basis for pilaf, or as an independent side dish.

Pearl barley recipes

Ingredients:

1 glass of pearl barley
1 each - carrots, onions, bell peppers
1 tablespoon unrefined sunflower oil
400 g chicken horns

Cooking method:

Cut the breast into strips, steam the grits in a double boiler for 20 minutes or soak overnight. Cut the vegetables as you like, pour the oil into the multicooker bowl, lower the vegetables and fry, stirring occasionally. Add cereal, chicken, and pour 1 glass of chicken broth and 1 glass of water or just water. Cook for about 1.5 hours, in stewing mode.

Ingredients:

1 glass of barley
500 g fresh mushrooms
1 white onion
silent celery, dill, parsnip, zira, turmeric
salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
2.5 cups bouillon or celery root broth

Cooking method:

Put the multicooker in the frying mode and quickly fry on both sides, stirring, pre-chopped vegetables and gibs. Add a glass of pearl barley, broth and cook in stewing mode for about 1.5 hours.

Ingredients:

2.5 cups skimmed or almond milk
1 cup pre-cooked pearl barley
cinnamon
sugar and salt to taste

Cooking method:

Put the steamed groats into the bowl of the multicooker and pour over the milk. Cook strictly in simmer mode, 50 minutes or longer. Usually milk porridge is made “shorter”, for this the pre-steaming period is increased to 40 minutes.

A decoction of pearl barley

A decoction of pearl barley is used in the presence of inflammatory processes in the stomach, it is especially recommended in the postoperative period after a surgical operation in the abdominal cavity. The decoction can be prepared both in water and in milk.

Decoction recipe:

Pour 250 g of pearl barley into 1.5 liters of hot liquid (water, milk), you can add a little salt or sugar to taste. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes. The resulting broth does not need to be filtered, it will be the consistency of liquid sour cream.
Take 100-200 g at a time, 3 times a day.
Store no more than a day.

You can even use the water in which pearl barley was soaked, because. it contains hordecin. This substance has antibiotic properties. Water can be used in the complex treatment of fungal skin diseases.

The chemical composition of pearl barley

Nutritional value in 100 gamma pearl barley:

Calories:

Proteins - 9.91 g
Fats - 1.16 g
Carbohydrates - 77.72 g
Alimentary fiber- 15.6 g
Ash - 1.11 g
Water - 10.09 g

Energy value in 100 gamma pearl barley: 352 kcal

vitamins

Beta-carotene - 0.013 mg
Vitamin A (RE) - 1 mcg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.191 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.114 mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic) - 0.282 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.26 mg
Vitamin B9 (folic) 23 mcg
Vitamin E (TE) - 0.02 mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) - 2.2 mcg
Vitamin PP (Niacin Equivalent) 4.604 mg
Choline - 37.8 mg

Macronutrients

Calcium - 29 mg
Magnesium - 79 mg
Sodium - 9 mg
Potassium - 280 mg
Phosphorus- 221 mg

trace elements

Iron - 2.5 mg
Zinc - 2.13 mg
Copper - 420 mcg
Manganese - 1.322 mg
Selenium - 37.7 mcg

Pearl barley is a cereal made from barley. Pearl barley is converted into barley porridge.

Pearl barley is a tasty and rather ancient cereal, very often associated with beer, bread, cereals, soups, but simply delicious, very tasty salads are also made from it.

After processing whole grain takes on a nutty flavor that makes it the perfect companion for herbs, hot sauces, crunchy vegetables, and even sweet fruits. You can use pearl barley as a side dish, pearl barley is very quick to cook and will replace rice well.

Pearl barley goes through a thorough grinding process six times to get rid of the top layer and remove the husk in a quality way - in the same form, barley is boiled the fastest.

Pearl barley is a peeled barley grain. Pearl barley is also a very powerful antioxidant; it contains three times more selenium than even rice. In addition, pearl barley contains B vitamins, proteins, and minerals.

Pearl barley is rich in amino acids, including essential amino acids - first of all, lysine, which has an antiviral effect, protecting against herpes and various acute colds. In addition, lysine is very actively involved in the formation of collagen, and it is he (and pearl barley, respectively) that is able to slow down the formation of wrinkles, keeping the skin supple and smooth.

Pearl barley is one of the undisputed leaders in terms of the amount of phosphorus contained. Since phosphorus, which we constantly lack, is simply vital for a full-fledged metabolism, good assimilation calcium, regulation of brain function. And in order to receive it systematically, you should simply please yourself more often with this unique cereal.

Pearl barley is famous for its unique dietary qualities, pearl barley contains a lot of fiber, which qualitatively removes toxins from the human body. Pearl barley also contains substances that prevent the accumulation and formation of fat deposits.

At present, there are several varieties of cereals:

barley groats (barley) as a whole grain that has already passed the primary haulage, mainly the awn has been removed from it. Applicable for cereals, soups, fillings.

dutch (pearl barley) - a whole grain, rolled into a ball, completely freed from the awn. It cooks quickly enough, porridge comes out of it with a more delicate and soft texture than from ordinary barley.

barley groats (barley groats) - finely chopped (similar to semolina) pearl barley. Applicable for cereals, including the Russian national porridge, namely kolivo.

Useful properties of barley

Useful properties of barley both adults and children know. One of the most useful and nutritious cereals is barley porridge, which can become one of the components of your diet. Barley groats are processed barley grains, and it got its name due to the similarity of the resulting barley grains with freshwater pearls. Several centuries ago, on the tables of merchant and royal families, barley was served as one of the main dishes, since this cereal has a variety of useful properties.

Barley porridge, due to the content of selenium, which is 3 times more than in rice, is one of the most powerful antioxidants.

The benefits of pearl barley is that it contains vitamins A, D, E and vitamins of group B. Pearl barley is also rich in calcium, copper, iron, iodine and other trace elements. In large quantities it contains phosphorus, which is necessary for good brain function and proper metabolism. The content of phosphorus in pearl barley is twice as high as in other cereals. Lysine, one of the most important amino acids, is also part of pearl barley. Lysine maintains vitality, has an antiviral effect and strengthens the heart muscle.

The main value of the beneficial properties of pearl barley is that it contains phosphorus. The content of phosphorus in pearl barley is 2 times higher than in other cereals. Phosphorus is necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and for maintaining normal substances; it is the main trace element for people who are actively involved in sports, as it ensures the speed and strength of muscle contractions.

The beneficial properties of pearl barley have been known to medicine since ancient times. A decoction of this cereal has enveloping, anti-inflammatory, softening, antispasmodic and diuretic properties. With the help of barley, diseases of the mammary glands were treated. There is an opinion that when using barley porridge, allergic reactions.

Anyone who cares about their figure and beauty will benefit from dishes made from pearl barley. Lysine, which is part of barley, is involved in the production of collagen, thanks to which the skin becomes elastic and smooth, wrinkles are prevented. Barley strengthens the nervous system, provides growth beautiful hair and clean skin, thanks to the content of B vitamins. And vitamin D, which is also found in barley porridge, strengthens teeth and bones.

Barley also has dietary beneficial properties, contains a large amount of fiber, which helps to eliminate toxins from the body. Barley contains substances that counteract body fat and promote weight loss (see).

To normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to include beneficial features barley porridge in the mandatory diet.

Adding barley to goulash and soups will not only thicken them, but also add flavor and texture to dishes. As an alternative to pasta, rice or potatoes, barley can be prepared separately. You need to take one part of pearl barley to three parts of water and cook for about 45-60 minutes. Also, malted barley extract is made from sprouted barley grains.

Barley needs proper cooking. It should be soaked in cold water or curdled milk for 10 hours, in the ratio of 1 liter of water per glass of cereal. After soaking, barley is cooked exclusively in milk (2 liters) heated to 40 degrees. After boiling, barley porridge should be boiled in a water bath for 6 hours.

Caloric content of pearl barley

The calorie content of pearl barley is 320 kilocalories. high calorie content this product does not interfere with its use by people who are on diets and struggling with excess weight.

Useful properties of barley help reduce the likelihood of getting sick colds, supports immunity, fights exhaustion and other diseases. Indispensable in the diet, barley is for people with diabetes and allergies. A large number of various amino acids that are contained in barley porridge have a good effect on the state of the allergic person's body and reduce the perception of allergic irritants.

A rather ambiguous attitude has developed towards pearl barley. Some people like it, and some people can't stand it. However, it should be noted that this is one of the most useful. In this article, we will take a closer look at the nutritional value and how barley is useful for ours.

What kind of grain is barley made from

Barley is made from barley. Whole barley grain is processed by grinding.
If the barley is crushed, then it is barley groats, it is not polished, it has an angular shape. Depending on the size and shape of the grain, pearl barley can be large, oval, small and round.

Did you know? There are several varieties of this cereal. The Dutch is considered the most delicious. Its grains are small, round, milky in color. This variety is the fastest to prepare.

What it contains: calorie content and chemical composition

Now let's take a closer look at what is contained in barley.

100 g of cereal consists of:

10 g;
10 g;
1.16 g;
62.12 g;
15.6 g;
11.1 g of ash.

iron;
copper;
manganese;

100 g of barley have a calorie content equal to 352 kcal.

What is useful

Barley is very useful for because:

enriches the body with the necessary macro- and microelements;
promotes the absorption of phosphorus, calcium by the body;
improves bowel function;
stabilizes work;
helps with;
strengthens enamel;
has an enveloping effect, improves digestion;
reduces in level;
improves the protective functions of the mucous membranes of internal organs;
helps to fight stones and sand in, bladder(since it contains silicic acid);
supports ;
beneficial effect on the functionality of the lens.

No less useful is in which porridge was cooked. It has the following properties:

improves digestion;
beneficial effect on the mucous membranes of the digestive system;
has a pronounced diuretic effect;
is an effective hepatoprotector;
has expectorant properties;
has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic effect.

The benefits of barley for the body cannot be overestimated. Due to the content of vitamin E, it contributes to the normalization of hormonal metabolism. The decoction improves lactation. Regular use cereals contributes. Folic acid, which is contained in the product, is necessary for the normal development of the fetus during.

Representatives of the stronger sex, of course, are interested in what barley is useful for. Firstly, it is very nutritious, contributes to the rapid replenishment of energy costs. Secondly, a decoction of barley grains is useful to drink with prostatitis, as it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

Thanks to vitamin E and collagen, barley and a decoction of it are very useful for, help to strengthen them, give a healthy shine, prevent brittleness, split ends.

Barley in dietetics

Cereal is an indispensable product in terms of nutrition. This is explained by such cereal properties:

contains a lot of protein, accelerates;
helps cleanse the body of toxins;
improves digestion;
improves bowel function;
normalizes hormonal metabolism;
saturates the body with essential vitamins and elements, which is prerequisite any diet.

How to choose and store pearl barley

Good groats, depending on the variety, have a light brown or milky white hue. It should not contain black grains, their presence indicates a violation of the storage of the product. Also, the grains should not stick together. Such a defect indicates that the product was stored in conditions of high humidity.

Perlovka is a cereal widely known to the Russian consumer, to which many have an ambiguous attitude. Nevertheless, it saturates well, has extensive beneficial properties and even helps in the treatment of certain diseases. In addition, pearl barley finds non-food uses as a top dressing for fishing and feed for poultry.

From this article you will learn:

Pearl barley - what cereal is it made from?

Barley is made from barley, one of the most common cereal crops. Despite the common name, this product is divided into two types: barley itself and barley groats.

Pearl barley (pearl barley) is a cereal made from whole grains that have been subjected to primary haulage. On this technological stage grains are deprived of awns and bran shells. In Russia, it is used for cooking cereals, soups and fillings. Due to the widespread addition to the diet of soldiers, barley porridge began to be called soldier's. In Italy, from this cereal is prepared a traditional dish orzotto.

Barley is the most common type of barley consumption on earth. The reason for this lies in instant cooking, compared to whole grains or the Scottish variety, which is less thoroughly rolled.

Barley groats are barley chopped into small particles. They have sharp edges and angular shapes because the product is not sanded once received. It boils quickly, so it is most often used for cereals.

Photo: barley grains, barley groats, pearl barley - differences

Attitude to barley

Due to its low cost and high nutritional value, pearl barley was included in the diet of soldiers serving in the USSR and post-Soviet countries. The soldiers themselves did not like her very much. AT Russian Federation since 2011, cereals have been made one of the components of dishes, but not the main one. Barley is also fed to prisoners in Russian colonies and prisons. Institutions of the penitentiary type partly produce it themselves.

In 2016, an Aeroflot passenger expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that business class passengers were offered canned barley porridge. True, the claims were more likely related precisely to the cheapness of the product.

In the same 2016, the All-Russian Festival of Cooks was held for the "Rest in Russia" uniform in the Tver region. It popularized the benefits of barley porridge, which the organizers, without false modesty, dubbed "king-porridge". The rationale for such a high status was the opinion of the great love for porridge of Peter the Great and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Characteristic

Barley groats are smooth polished grains of barley grain, consisting of endosperm and a small part of the seed and fruit shells, as well as the aleurone layer. According to the particle size, cereals are divided into five numbers:

#1 and #2: white or yellowish White color, oval shape;
No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5: white with dark stripes, spherical shape.

Barley number by size is determined by the difference in the size of the cells through which the product passes and remains:

#1 goes through 3.5mm and stays at 3.0mm;
No. 2: 3-2.5 mm.
No. 3: 2.5-2 mm.
No. 4: 2-1.5 mm.
No. 5: 1.5-0.63 mm.

Nutritional value and composition

By indicators nutritional value barley groats are very close to polished wheat. Most of the composition is occupied by starch. Its grains are 5-12 microns in size. Compared to other cereals, starch grains gelatinize and swell slowly. Gelatinization occurs at a temperature of +58-63˚C. Most of the sugars are sucrose. The content of monosaccharides is 0.3-0.5%.

Barley proteins are close in fractional composition to wheat proteins. The basis is glutelins and prolamins, which together account for about 70%. According to the amino acid composition, the barley product outperforms analogues from wheat, millet and corn. Pearl barley outperforms oatmeal in terms of methionine content and contains an equal amount of lysine. In total, the product contains more than 20 essential and essential fatty acids.

Fats, which account for no more than 1.5% of the weight, consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids: linoleic, oleic and linolenic. Saturated fatty acids are stearic and palmitic. A distinctive feature of barley vegetable fat - high content tocopherols. In the list of cereals in terms of total mineral content, barley occupies an average position. It contains (per 100 g):

potassium - 172 mg;
calcium - 38 mg;
magnesium - 40 mg;
sodium - 10 mg;
sulfur -77 mg;
phosphorus - 323 mg;
iron - 1.8 mg;
cobalt - 1.8 mcg;
manganese - 0.65 mg;
copper - 280 mcg;
molybdenum - 12, mcg;
nickel - 20 mg;
titanium - 16.7 mcg;
fluorine - 60 mcg
chromium - 12.5 mcg;
zinc - 0.92 mg.

Vitamins and their content per 100 grams of pearl barley:

thiamine (B1) - 0.12 mg;
riboflavin (B2) - 0.06 mg;
pantothenic acid (B5) - 0.5 mg;
pyridoxine (B6) - 0.36 mg;
folates (B9) - 24 mcg;
alpha-tocopherol (E) - 1.1 mg;
vitamin PP - 3.7 mg.

Nutritional value per 100 g:

carbohydrates: 66.9 g;
fats: 1.1 g;
proteins: 9.3 g;
dietary fiber - 7.8 g;
water - 14 g;
ash substances - 0.9 g.

In dry form, 100 grams of pearl barley have a calorie content of 324 kcal. At ready porridge this indicator depends on the liquid on which it is made, and additives:

barley porridge on the water - 106 kcal;
barley porridge with milk - 156 kcal;
pearl barley porridge meat broth- 135 kcal;
adding butter gives an additional 30-40 kcal per 100 g.

Barley and pearl barley - what are the differences

First of all, these products different ratio useful substances in chemical composition. Barley is devoid of an aleurone layer and shells, therefore it is rich in starch. There are less ash elements, fats, fiber, proteins and vitamins in it.

Both cereals are not divided into varieties. Pearl barley must contain at least 99.6% sound kernel, and barley must contain more than 99%. In barley groats, there is always underdrinking. These are particles on which there are remnants of the floral film. Barley groats are allowed to contain up to 0.7% of undergrowth, and barley - up to 0.9%.

Consumer advantages of barley groats

Barley and cells are different and consumer characteristics. For cooking the first one, it takes 1-1.5 hours, during which its volume grows 5-6 times. The kernels retain their shape and the boiled product has a crumbly texture. First of all, pearl barley is used for cooking cereals and filling soups.

The cell is cooked faster, in 40-45 minutes, and increases by 4-5 times. Due to the fragmentation of the grain, the porridge comes out viscous. When cooled, it is tough, because the starch quickly releases water.

Pearl barley: benefits and harms for women

The use of pearl barley for cosmetic and dietary purposes does not leave indifferent the fair sex. Barley porridge helps to lose weight in about a week by 2-3 kilograms, but for this it is consumed without any additives along with fruits, fish, fermented milk products. The use of pearl barley automatically cleanses the body of toxins and toxins.

For women, it is also important that the increased content of vitamin E and amino acids guarantees skin rejuvenation and the elimination of wrinkles, smoothing the complexion, if a decoction of cereals or barley itself is added to homemade masks and scrubs. British experts also argue that barley porridge in the period before menopause minimizes the likelihood of breast cancer. Nursing mothers will certainly appreciate the fact that the consumption of barley broth increases the volume breast milk at the girls. However, despite a wide range of health-improving properties, for pregnant women and during lactation barley can pose some danger. A large amount of complex carbohydrates slows down the gastrointestinal tract, which affects the condition of both the mother and the child.

Barley porridge for men

Barley is especially useful for men in old age. The high level of antioxidants in the composition helps to stop the aging process, and porridge with milk will help to cope with diabetes. In addition, those men who are engaged in physical labor, have traumatic work, can appreciate the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of barley.

It is also worth noting that barley is indispensable for active men as a source of protein and fiber, i.е. this is very nutritional product protein-based, energizing and helps in gaining muscle mass, not fat. Taking the first porridge can, among other things, be considered a good prevention of sexual diseases.

The benefits of pearl barley for children

Barley is necessary for children not at a very early age, but only after three years. It is best to make such porridge for them at school and adolescence, so that the growing body receives such important minerals and substances as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, tocopherol.

In addition, the use of barley will help prevent the development of beriberi. However, you also need to be aware of the possible dangers of pearl barley for the younger generation. In particular, eating porridge on a regular basis due to its gluten content can cause problems with stool and bowel problems. Therefore, it is enough to give children such a dish 2 times a week with a short interval of 2-3 days between meals. With such a diet, pearl barley will become an indispensable assistant in protecting the baby from colds and flu.

It is also useful to give the dish to overweight children. It should be noted that in the preparation of children's pearl barley porridge, it is necessary to take into account the need delicate taste and beautiful presentation. The former is achieved through the addition of milk, and the latter through the use of sauces or pieces of fruit.

The benefits of pearl barley for weight loss

Nutritionists say that thanks to the complex carbohydrate compounds in the composition of pearl barley, it quickly fills an empty stomach and maintains a feeling of satiety. long time as insulin levels drop gradually. At the same time barley accelerates metabolism, expels from the body excess water and harmful substances, because it moves through the intestines very slowly. It does not allow body fat to accumulate in the human body, because it has a low glycemic index. Thus, the value of the product in the diet menu or in the diet unloading day very large. In addition, the content of vegetable proteins in pearl barley does not allow the body to burn its own muscles, and the high amount of lysine in cereals ensures that there are no such unpleasant consequences of sudden weight loss as sagging skin or prolapse of internal organs.

In dry form, the calorie content of cereals is quite high - 315 kcal - which is why some girls are afraid to eat barley. But all the worries on this account are in vain, because porridge on water has a calorie content per hundred grams of only 109 kcal, and since the cereal is boiled soft, in ready-made the indicator comes out even less: 500 ml liquid porridge- it's only 250 kcal. At the same time, pearl barley, due to its vitamin composition, helps maintain good spirits, which is important for those who lose weight.

Weight loss involves creating porridge in water without oil, sugar or salt, preferably in a slow cooker or pressure cooker. You can eat this dish for a week (one serving - 200 g), additionally drink plenty of fluids and at the same time allow yourself green apples without peel, beets, chicken, sea fish, scrambled eggs, puree soups, prunes, kefir, cottage cheese. Barley porridge also goes well with cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, even if the grains are added to the salad. If you get bored with the main course, try making barley soup. In any case, you will lose 1-2 kg due to the removal of excess water and toxins from the body. Remember that grits do not interact well with coarse fiber, causing stomach cramps, so give up fermented foods, radishes and radishes, carrots, parsley and pears for the duration of the diet. The same rule applies rye bread, bran, juices with pulp, products with acidophilic sourdough.

If the figure requires more serious changes, you must choose a mono-diet for 5 days. With it, you can lose weight by 5-7 kg, but apart from 750 g of barley porridge per day, you can’t eat anything. Total portion divided into 5 doses. It is very important to use 2 liters at the same time. mineral water without gas, green tea, rosehip broth. After seven o'clock in the evening, it is advisable not to eat any more.

The benefits of barley for treatment

Treatment of the intestines and stomach ulcers

As already mentioned, pearl barley is widely known for its ability to improve the functioning of the intestines and stomach. Therefore, a decoction of this product is used to treat problems of the digestive system, because the liquid envelops the mucous membranes and alleviates pain. The consumption of barley porridge leads to the cleansing of the body from the inside and the normalization of the stool. Fiber from cereals not only removes all unnecessary from the intestines, but also stimulates the development beneficial bacteria that form butyric acid to saturate the organs with energy. The benefits of boiled barley are especially great for people with an ulcer, kidney disease, but not during an exacerbation. In the case of gastritis, you need a very boiled pearl barley porridge or a decoction, but the dish will benefit only with normal or low acidity. A similar disease requires pouring water over the cereal at night in a ratio of one to one and a half. With gastritis, it is allowed to add a piece of butter and a little sugar or salt to taste in such porridge.

Antioxidant Properties

Majority healing properties barley is associated with the presence in its composition of lysine, which fights various viruses, hordecin, which destroys dangerous microflora in the body, and selenium, an excellent natural antioxidant. The presence of phosphorus in cereals is also very useful, because this element stimulates the brain. Silicic acid minimizes the likelihood of formation of stones in the internal organs.

For diabetes

Barley porridge is often recommended for diabetes. It increases the level of hemoglobin, suppresses the volume of bad cholesterol, reduces the load on the cardiovascular system. Nutritionists and endocrinologists advise barley to diabetics to stabilize sugar levels without sudden jumps.

To improve immunity

rich in vitamins and mineral composition cereal allows her to maintain immune system human and vitality. As a result, the body gradually increases its resistance to colds, infections, and fungal diseases. Vitamins of the B-group in the composition of cereals help to survive stressful situations, improve the functioning of the nervous system, and add endurance. Often, doctors prescribe pearl barley in case of arthritis, prostatitis, hemorrhoids. Sometimes it makes sense to apply the cereal externally, i.e. make warm compresses for the treatment of tonsillitis, sinusitis, various chronic forms of the common cold.

Treatment with a decoction of pearl barley

A decoction based on pearl barley is also used to suppress the growth of cancer cells, as an excellent diuretic, an assistant in the formation of sputum with a dry cough. The porridge itself has long been used to reduce the risk of anemia, obesity, and colitis. The high level of nutrients in pearl barley improves eyesight, strengthens bones and blood vessels, and stabilizes metabolism. Pearl barley reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions, diseases endocrine system, gallbladder. Of course, such a product cannot become a full-fledged replacement for medicines, but for prevention and medical nutrition it is simply necessary.

For the treatment of the liver

Barley is also very useful for the liver due to its enveloping properties and general strengthening, which turns out to be the mucus of boiled cereals from protein and starch. No less effective will be taking porridge for pancreatitis, you just need to soak the cereal and make it in milk with steam bath.

Anti-inflammatory agent

In addition to the above, pearl barley has a good antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it has been used since ancient times in case of a cold. Barley decoction was made from a liter of water and 100 g of the main ingredient and was taken in 3 large spoons before bedtime. But for the prevention of cancer, modern doctors advise making a decoction differently: a glass of cereal is poured with one and a half liters of hot milk, boiled and not filtered, taking 150 g three times a day.

Sprouted barley - health benefits?

Germination of pearl barley is a rather complicated process, because the grains deprived of most of the shells can no longer be called “live”. For this reason, only a small part of them actually germinate, and not just swell. Barley, which has more beneficial properties due to its wholeness, is a more reasonable choice for sprouting.

Pearl barley is germinated as follows:

Rinse several times.
Pour a double volume of water (two glasses of water per glass of cereal).
Leave for 6-12 hours.
Optional: either replace the water and continue sprouting, or use what happened.

It is impossible to say in advance how many grains will sprout, and how many will simply increase in size. It depends, apparently, on the technology of processing and production of cereals.

Based on the technology of germinating cereals, it can be assumed that the composition of germinated pearl barley grains changes, but it is unlikely to become very rich. In that small number of grains that have sprouts, most likely some of the carbohydrates have been converted into simple sugars and proteins into amino acids and vitamins. The rest of the product simply swells, but this also has its own benefits - this way the cereal will cook faster.

In general, it is better to immediately take up the germination of barley. The cereal is the same, but the composition is richer and most of the grains will really germinate, become more useful.

Pearl barley in cooking

Primarily processed pearl barley is the basis for a wide variety of liquid or viscous cereals, slimy soups. Therefore, cereals are often chosen for diet menu, although dishes based on it should be eaten hot, as cold barley loses taste qualities and difficult to digest by the body. Soups with this cereal have a special protein-starch component, which does not stimulate the secretion of the stomach. Liquid barley porridge is prescribed for ulcers, pancreatitis and colitis. But to activate the motor function of the intestine, it is advised to cook, on the contrary, crumbly porridge.

The benefits of barley porridge increase significantly if it is cooked correctly. A crumbly dish can only be obtained after thoroughly washing the cereal and soaking it overnight. At the same time, barley can be soaked not only in water, but also in yogurt. The porridge itself is also made on water or warm milk, but in the traditional version it is cooked after boiling not on open fire and using a steam bath for 6 hours. Barley porridge goes well with cream, butter, fried mushrooms and onions.

In addition to these barley dishes, you can make pickles and side dishes for fish and meat. In general, cereals look good in any first course, because it makes it more satisfying. You can add barley to cutlets, casseroles, goulash and even salads. Minced meat with such cereals is put in cabbage rolls or wrapped in pancakes.

With the right spices, barley porridge can be a good filling for pastries or other desserts. With all this, the nutty notes of barley's flavor palette make it possible to combine it with spicy sauces, spices, fruits and vegetables. Many housewives simply replace rice with barley in their favorite recipes.

Possible harm and contraindications barley

One of the main risk factors is high gluten content. Because of it, barley porridge and other cereal dishes are contraindicated for people suffering from celiac disease. In conjunction with large quantity fiber gluten adversely affects the digestive system. There is a risk of flatulence, obstruction, constipation.

During pregnancy, in order to avoid complications, it is recommended to use the product in small portions, observing how it is absorbed. The optimal age from which barley can be fed to children is 3-4 years.

A negative effect is possible with increased acidity of gastric juice, leaking gastritis or stomach ulcers. For the processing of the product, an increased amount of secretion is released, which irritates the walls of the organs.

Pearl barley in cosmetology

Specialists have long known that pearl barley is useful not only for the body, but also for the skin. Moreover, cereals, thanks to the mineral and vitamin composition also strengthens nails and makes hair softer.

Home cosmetics can be made on the basis of a decoction or the porridge itself. Regular use of such drugs will remove wrinkles, even out complexion, cure allergic reactions, psoriasis, barley and acne, and slow down aging. Barley accelerates the production of collagen due to the content of lysine, which means it makes the skin toned and elastic.

Croup equally well affects both fatty and combination skin, and it provides not only nutrition, but also hydration. Therefore, modern girls make masks, compresses, tonics and scrubs with cereals, mixing barley with various esters, eggs, fruit and vegetable juices. The main secret in the creation of such funds - the use of washed cereals, boiled with warm milk.

Other areas of barley application

Barley as feed for chickens

The effectiveness and importance of cereals for poultry nutrition is confirmed not only by the theoretical knowledge of biologists, but also by the practical experience of farmers. Barley in this role is not inferior to the more popular wheat and buckwheat groats, but complements their beneficial properties.

The benefit of barley lies in the overall nutritional base with many carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and amino acids. Of great value to the bird is lysine, which does not allow too many feathers to be lost during molting. It is also believed that cereals enhance the body's ability to resist seasonal diseases, viruses and maintain heart tone.

In order for pearl barley to benefit chickens, you need to take No. 1 with the largest particle size. You can try growing it. The so-called "Dutch" with a rounded shape of grains is not recommended for this purpose.

Bait for fishing

The benefits of boiled barley are especially well known to fishermen. River hunting for carp, ide, roach or bream requires special bait and bait, and pearl barley is a real savior. It is not only cheap, but also easy to prepare, combined with salt, sugar, vegetable oil, honey. Such a mixture is ideal for low-active biting.

You can also make barley with garlic and anise oil - this will be a high-quality bait. Another option, but for carp fishing, is to combine pearl barley with semolina and sunflower seeds. In extreme cases, pearl barley can simply be steamed in boiling water while fishing, but experienced fishermen advise adding fragrant oils to attract prey.

How to choose and store

When buying, both by weight and in the original packaging, you should evaluate the cereal visually. Its color and shape must correspond to the indicated fineness numbers. Good barley crumbly, has a light golden hue without inclusions, dark spots and foreign particles. If there are caked lumps, the cereal was not stored correctly, it is better not to buy it. It is desirable that the buyer has the opportunity to find out the date of manufacture and packaging. The younger the barley, the less likely it is to go rancid. By the way, you can also smell it before buying it - there should not be mustiness, bitterness or charm in the smell.

The deterioration of barley groats occurs due to oxidation and wetting. In the first case, contact with air and sunlight should be avoided. Therefore, the container for cereals must be opaque and airtight. Barley should be kept at low humidity to avoid getting wet and mold. Sealed packaging also helps keep it from being saturated with foreign odors. Expiration date - 12 months from the date of manufacture.

The name of barley porridge speaks of a special attitude towards it. Not every product will be called a jewel. Pearls used to be called pearls. The peeled and polished barley grain looks a bit like river pearls, but barley porridge was valued not for appearance, but for nutritional value and useful properties.

In barley porridge, the benefits and harms are incomparable. With caution, barley grain should be used with individual intolerance to the protein components of pearl barley and with the body's tendency to constipation. Losing weight need to take into account the high nutritional value porridge. Barley porridge in terms of calories has no equal among grain products. 100 grams of porridge contains 350 kcal. This is where the contraindications end...

The biggest disadvantage of pearl barley is the complexity of its preparation. Large dense grains require long heat treatment and special skills of the cook.

Barley porridge: benefits

Barley grains contain almost the entire useful set of nutrients and vitamins that are vital human body for growth, development and functioning.

Vitamin A, which is most often called carotene, is necessary to strengthen the body's defenses.
Vitamins of group B contribute to the acceleration of metabolic processes, have a beneficial effect on the activity of the nervous and circulatory systems.
Vitamin E gives the skin a fresh, firm and youthful appearance.
Potassium and magnesium, which are very abundant in pearl barley, support the work of the heart muscle, improve the elasticity of blood vessels.
Calcium keeps bones strong.
Sodium is involved in water-salt metabolism, prevents the movement of fluid from blood vessels to tissues.
Phosphorus improves mental and muscular activity, strengthens bones.
Iron is essential for proper oxygen metabolism and the creation of hemoglobin.
Manganese has a beneficial effect on the processes of growth, development and reproductive activity of the body.
Zinc provides activation of immunity, development of the sexual sphere.
Selenium ensures the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

The benefits of barley porridge are not limited to a set of vitamins and trace elements in the composition. Energetically valuable product with a high content of easily digestible vegetable protein diversifies the menu of children, people actively involved in sports. For the elderly barley can be a real salvation, especially if there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The soft enveloping effect of barley porridge is indispensable for gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

How to cook barley porridge?

Alas, the love for barley porridge, which in the old days was called "royal", cannot be considered universal. This is due to a simple inability and unwillingness to cook porridge correctly. Dense barley grain requires special approach and caring attitude. It is worth deviating a little from the recipe that has been tested for centuries, as the cereal is brewed into an inedible solid “shrapnel”. So disrespectfully called barley men who overate porridge during army service. Now, by the way, barley is introduced into the diet of soldiers only as part of the first courses, excluding it from the list of side dishes for the second course.

Traditional Russian dishes were cooked in the oven, that is, they were not fried or boiled, but languished in a moderately hot place, acquiring an amazing aroma, taste and texture. On a conventional stove, the simplest device will help to achieve the effect of leisurely languor: a water bath. For the most modern and advanced cooks, a multifunctional multicooker is suitable.
Pearl barley must be soaked before cooking. Pokhlebkin recommends taking a liter of cold water per glass of cereal. In ten to twelve hours, barley grains will swell, double in size, having absorbed a large amount of water. The most impatient cooks brew cereals with hot water in a thermos. Such a pre-steamed barley can be cooked quickly, literally in about fifteen minutes.
Cooks who want to get authentic porridge, the very one that, according to rumors, Peter I adored, should not rush. The soaked grain is poured into two liters warm milk, bring to a boil and keep on open fire for 5 minutes.
The dishes with porridge are closed until the end of the process and placed in a large container with constantly boiling water. So the porridge will languish at a moderate temperature for several hours, without burning or boiling away. Cooking will not require any special efforts, except that you will have to check the presence of water in the steam bath from time to time.
Long languishing leads to caramelization of milk and absolute boiling of cereals, which turns into a soft paste of a pleasant golden-cream color. It is worth flavoring barley with a piece of butter or a small amount of cream, stir and eat, enjoying every sip.

Downy barley porridge

They say that the first Russian emperor loved porridge "downy", that is, especially tender and airy. After preparing the stewed porridge, it was rubbed through a sieve, achieving an ideally delicate texture, and mixed with grated cottage cheese. Such a product has the right to be called "Royal" porridge and decorate the diet of people who care about their health and taste variety daily menu.

With porridge prepared like this traditional way salt, sugar or other additives are consumed individually, some gourmets generally prefer to do without spices. A familiar and inexpensive grain product is fully revealed, striking with a deep and rich natural taste.

I’m not sure if this is true, but rather unexpected healing properties are attributed to barley porridge:

Barley porridge: benefits for weight loss

Nutritionists strongly recommend using barley porridge for weight loss, although its calorie content is quite high. Barley groats are an invaluable source of vegetable proteins. Such protein is completely absorbed, while animal proteins are only partially absorbed. A sufficient amount of protein in the diet with a limited intake of fats and carbohydrates contributes to proper weight loss without loss of muscle tissue.

There is a lot in pearl barley, which helps to remove toxins and excess fats from the body. After eating a portion of barley porridge, a person is satiated, does not feel hungry for a long time, since slow carbohydrates in pearl barley require a long time for splitting and assimilation.

Diets for weight loss often sin with an imbalance in the diet, the body does not receive the necessary substances. What is useful barley porridge during a diet? Saturated composition and a complete set of amino acids, nutrients and trace elements necessary for a person. Pearl barley improves brain activity, regulates the endocrine system. Barley dishes are indicated for violations in cardiovascular system, diabetes, gallstone disease. For allergy sufferers, pearl barley porridge will be a salvation, because its composition reduces the effect of allergens.