Barley

Barley is a grain crop grown throughout the world and is used for both human food and animal feed. Barley is cooked and eaten as a grain like rice or used in soups or stews or to make breads. The barley grain is also malted and used to produce beer and whiskey. Whole barley has the inedible hull removed but the bran remains intact.  This whole form of barley (barley groats) is the most nutritious and contains more protein, potassium, and iron when compared to pearl barley.

Forms Of Barley

You'll find barley products under various names in the your local grocery or health food store.  Here is a quick breakdown:

• Whole Barley - also referred to as hulled barley, Scotch barley, pot barley or barley groats are the most nutritious and takes longest to cook.
• Pearl barley - Pearl barley is barley which has had the outer hull removed then the grain is polished. This form of barley is faster cooking and the most commonly found barley product.
• Barley flakes -  Which are similar to rolled oats used as a breakfast cereal.
  Barley grits - Small chips of barley which can be used as a breakfast cereal or to make a dish similar to polenta. Cooks faster.
• Barley flour - ground from whole barley grain, added to other flour to make biscuits, pancakes, cookies, breads etc.

Substitute For Barley

If you don't have whole barley here are some good substitutes:

• The best substitute for whole barley is pearl barley which is typically the easiest to find and cooks faster.
• OR - To use a different grain, substitute Arborio rice which is typically used to make risotto.
• OR - Use equal amounts of buckwheat groats
• OR - Another good alternative grain is farro