The benefits and harms of pearl barley porridge, especially the choice and use

Pearl barley is obtained from barley, an ancient cereal cultivated by man at least 17 thousand years ago. It was used by all the first civilizations, and regardless of geographical location. Grain is so unpretentious that it grew quietly in the tropical regions of America, entering the main diet of the local population. And on the snowy peaks of the Himalayan mountains, where he was discovered during the expedition by the famous traveler Nikolai Przhevalsky.

Moreover, in ancient times, mankind appreciated this cereal so much that it introduced it not only into cooking, but also into social life. For example, the first measures of weight are associated with barley, by which the value of precious stones was determined. Arabs equated 5 grains of pearl barley to 1 carat of diamonds. The British measured the length of the grains - the basis of the preserved measurement system in inches of steel 3 barley grains. Krupa was mentioned in the scientific works of Plato, who considered it the basis of a well-fed and wealthy state. And the students of the famous ancient University of Pythagoras were fed exclusively with barley.

Product Features

What is the reason for such a high attention of the first civilizations to this cereal? Of course, with the simplicity of its cultivation and the ability to grow in any climatic conditions. But people were well aware of the benefits of pearl barley porridge, which few people today know about. The modern generation has grown with the understanding that pearl barley is an army, school, or budget, porridge. And in state institutions she was never cooked according to the rules, for which she, absolutely undeservedly, was assigned the title of one of the most tasteless cereals.

Moreover, it is enough to know the main features of the product in order to “make friends” with it.

• Barley - whole grains of barley. Cereals are obtained by simple grinding. As a result of minimal mechanical processing, it retains most of the coarse fibers that are beneficial to the body.
• Cereals are found on sale under numbers.. Numbers 1 and 2 correspond to elongated grains, 3-5 to round kernels. The shape and length of the kernels of the cereal have no practical significance. They are equally useful.
• In everyday kitchen you can use small pearl barley. Her nucleoli digest faster.
• The choice of cereal should be based on its color. A quality product can be white, yellowish, even with a touch of green. The presence of any impurities in the package is excluded. If they are, the manufacturer does not monitor the quality of cereals.
• It is better to buy barley in cardboard packaging. This differs from most cereals, for which cellophane sealed bags are preferred. The fact is that during storage, the nuclei are given away into the moisture contained in them. Condensation forms in cellophane, which is an ideal medium for the development of microorganisms. If you notice moisture droplets inside the package, you absolutely can’t buy such a product, they can be poisoned. Plus, such cereals can have a rancid taste. In a cardboard box, storage of pearl barley is possible for 6-12 months.
• When opening the packaging, the groats should be smelled. The presence of a musty odor or its complete absence suggests that the product is old.
• At home, barley should be stored in a ventilated container. It can be a jar with a loose cover or a cardboard box.Put her in a dark place.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Benefit and harm

What are the benefits and harms of pearl barley? According to nutritionists, it should be eaten for several reasons.

• Its composition includes lysine. This is an amino acid that is a structural element of the proteins of our body. Without it, the growth and restoration of tissues is impossible, she takes part 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 irreplaceable, that is, it is not produced in our body. Its good suppliers are red meat and soy. But in the largest volume it is found in cheap barley.
• Pearl barley has a lot of phosphorus. Another valuable trace element, the presence of which in the diet determines the intensity of calcium absorption. Moreover, there is a lot of phosphorus in cereals - up to 350 mg per 100 grams of product. The record holder is also considered cereal in terms of potassium content, which is necessary for the health of the heart and blood vessels. Other useful trace elements in its composition are calcium, iron, iodine.
• The product contains vitamins B. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. For this reason, the use of cereals is recommended for people experiencing significant nervous stress. A regular use of barley in food has an anti-stress effect.
• Barley contains 66% carbohydrates. However, the calorie content of pearl barley is low. This is due to the fact that its carbohydrates are absorbed for a long time, within a few hours. A long feeling of satiety and a low glycemic index become the basis for using the product in a healthy diet. Croup is recommended for overweight people because of their fullness, patients with diabetes mellitus, because when they enter the body does not cause a "surge" in blood sugar.

Barley has practically no contraindications for use. Nutritionists do not recommend including it in the diet of only those people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. In the scientific world, this disease is called celiac disease. And it causes gluten - a protein contained in the kernels of barley.

For the same reason, barley porridge should not be included in the diet of children under 1 year old. It can cause indigestion, and in the presence of a tendency to celiac disease (it is genetically formed) can cause slow absorption of nutrients in the intestine.

Terms of use

In order for pearl barley to show a maximum of useful properties and delight in a rich taste, it must be prepared and consumed correctly. Do not refuse to cook it in milk. Such a dish will be slightly more high-calorie than cooked on the water. However, the vegetable and animal proteins that make up barley and milk will balance each other in the content of essential amino acids. Milk barley breakfast is very healthy and delicious!

The rules for preparing cereals are as follows.

• Kernels must be soaked in water. The aging 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 curl up and the barley will become stiff.
• The best way to cook is 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 simmer for 6 hours.

Serve cereals with oil, no salt needed. Barley is tender, soft, with a rich taste.

The incredibly healthy pearl barley porridge deserves space on your table. Using the classic recipe, you can please the family with a luxurious new dish. And enrich the diet with valuable substances.