Barley is a cereal of great importance for human consumption and in the entire world it is the fifth most cultivated cereal. There are two varieties of barley, winter barley, which is planted at the end of September, capable of withstanding temperatures down to -15°C, and spring barley, which is less resistant to frost and is characterized by having a cycle shorter sowing the ideal months for sowing are February and March.
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For human consumption, it does not matter what variety is consumed (winter or spring). The important thing in the end is to guarantee barley at least twice a year. In the industry, it is a fundamental base for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, whiskey and gin, as well as for the manufacture of vinegar and syrup, among others. But this is not its only use, let's see how to incorporate barley into your daily diet.
How to consume barley?
Since the Middle Ages, perhaps a little before, barley was used mainly for making bread, however, it was later replaced by wheat for this purpose, until the present day. Today barley is considered a raw material in the preparation of a large number of foods and everything depends on its presentation. There are several presentations in the barley market, below we will name the most common ones.
Barley flakes
Barley flakes are included in porridge, boiled for at least 15 to 20 minutes with milk and the result can be a food for children. It can also be eaten raw, which combined with milk becomes a traditional cereal ideal for breakfasts of athletes before a test and people with a controlled diet. When making desserts, you can include it in recipes such as custard.
barley flour
Barley flour is very rich in fiber, it helps the digestive system to improve bowel movements, making it easier to go to the bathroom. It also helps control blood sugar levels, due to its slow absorption, it is ideal for people who suffer from diabetes. In addition, barley provides energy and complex carbohydrates through starch and can be replaced in the diet by wheat flour. So with it you can make breads and cookies.
Peeled grain barley
The peeled barley grain is rich in minerals and proteins. In this presentation, barley has an action that neutralizes stomach acidity. To use it, it is necessary to soak it overnight before starting to consume it. One of its most common uses is for the production of alcoholic beverages.
whole grain barley
Whole grain barley represents the complete grain, is not processed and has wide culinary uses such as barley risotto. Its properties make it a favorite to be included in diets, its high fiber content, as well as vitamins and minerals, make it a perfect food for breakfast.