Barley groats useful properties

Barley groats are called barley grains, an annual plant with tremendous endurance to growth conditions. It is able to grow everywhere: in the cold climate of the northern regions of Russia, in the hot - in equatorial America. Exceptional resistance to weather conditions made barley the first cereal crop that people began to use in food.

Mention of barley porridge can be found in the writings of the ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder. The culture was cultivated in the fields of Greece, Egypt, in the Roman Empire was considered the main food of the population. It was barley porridge that was used by Roman gladiators as a source of quick energy and strength. Even the term “gladiator” or hordearii itself means “barley men”, which indicates the high status of the product in the ancient culture of mankind.

Croup in modern cooking

What are barley groats made of and what is its use? In the modern world, huge barley fields cultivated everywhere until the 11th century have given way to other cereals. The history of a valuable culture is paradoxical. Due to its high resistance to environmental conditions and availability, barley groats was considered a cheap product. It was impossible to make a significant profit from its sale. Because of this, in the Middle Ages, areas cultivated by barley were subjected to artificial destruction, replaced by expensive and more valuable wheat.

The departure of barley groats from the fields of modern Russia, where porridge from barley served as the basis of the table of the Finno-Ugric peoples, was truly tragic. After their displacement by the Slavic population, not only barley fields, but also significant forest areas were cleared for wheat. This caused a sharp change in climate in the region, which from temperate turned into cold, continental.

Barley is preserved to a small extent, as a forage crop, and the most affordable peasant food. Hence the attitude to him - as to a simple, peasant, army porridge. How many names were invented for her in budget cooking! And "fraction 16", and tarpaulin porridge, and shrapnel. The reason for this is the loss of the culture of its preparation, the loss of understanding of how useful barley porridge.

The Japanese scientist Yoshihie Hagiwara has been studying this issue for 13 years. He analyzed the properties of 150 cereals and concluded that there is no more wholesome than barley and more valuable food than porridge from it. The author based his conclusions on the following statements. What is the correct name for barley groats?

• Barley porridge - a product of barleysubject to minimal machining. It retains the bulk of the fruit membranes and valuable fiber. By the number of its cereals ahead of oatmeal.
• Perlovka and barley porridge is not the same thing. Although the products are obtained from one cereal, pearl barley is intensively polished. It loses a significant proportion of fiber in production. More similar in composition to barley porridge barley grits. The latter is only crushed without grinding.
• The composition of the cereal is balanced. Moreover, a Japanese researcher said that its nutritional value is maximum among other types of cereals. The reason for this is the maximum proportion of vegetable protein, fiber and trace elements.

Benefit and harm

How valuable is porridge from barley groats in the diet, will tell the composition of the cereal.

• Vegetable protein - 11% by weight. It is absorbed more easily than an animal, therefore, croup restores strength faster.
• Fiber - over 10%, but this indicator depends on the intensity of the machining of the nuclei. The less they are ground, the more valuable insoluble fibers that carry out a rough cleaning of the intestine remain in them.
• Carbohydrates - up to 66%. Long carbohydrates are important for the full saturation of the body and a long feeling of satiety. They are absorbed gradually, without causing a sharp release of glucose. This property of the product allows you to recommend it in the clinical nutrition of people with diabetes. Barley porridge is indispensable for people engaged in intense physical labor.
• Lysine. A valuable amino acid that can only be obtained from food. It stimulates the production of collagen - the main building material of the skin, bones and joints. Lysine is involved in the formation of immunity.
• Trace elements. The product has a huge amount of potassium and phosphorus. The level of the latter reaches 353 mg, which no food product can offer. Along with calcium, iron, copper and other trace elements, it provides bone strength, participates in the hematopoiesis system, and improves the state of blood vessels.

Rich in protein and fiber, cereals have no contraindications. And to get to know her better and appreciate her luxurious taste, it is enough to know the right recipe for barley porridge.

Calorie content and nutritional value

How to cook

What are the recipes for making cereals? You can cook the product on the stove in the oven. Barley porridge in a multicooker is very convenient in cooking. She comes to readiness faster than in other ways. But in each case, cereals need to be prepared.

1. Rinse barley. This will remove dust from the cores.
2. Soak in cold water. It is necessary to soak the grain for 12 hours. It is ideal to leave a glass of cereal overnight in a liter of cold water. The cores will swell, but retain their shape. After such preparation, they will reach faster and not become hard.
3. Boil in milk. Barley flavor is perfectly complemented by milk and creamy. Put the groats in milk and set to simmer over low heat. An old recipe suggests languishing it for 6 hours in a water bath. Significantly reduces the cooking time of the multicooker. In it, barley porridge will reach in 40 minutes.
4. Use suitable proportions. From the swollen kernels you get a friable side dish if you pour them with two glasses of liquid. To get a viscous porridge, use 2 times more milk.
5. Season with butter. Barley loves oil, and the more it is, the richer the taste. In a diet, butter can be replaced with vegetable oil.

We hope you have no questions left about how to cook barley porridge. And this most valuable dish with a luxurious taste will regularly appear on your table.