Barley

Barley Barley, a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain. Use primarily as an animal feed, barley is also one of the main ingredients used to make beer. Barley also makes a great addition to soups and stews, which remains the most popular method for adding to the human diet.
Barley was one of the first domesticated grains of the Near East, with a cultivation date reaching back to over 10,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was known as a special food of the gladiators, known as hordearii, which translates to “barley eaters”. However, by Roman times, barley was replaced by wheat as a staple crop of the culture.

Key Nutrients

Barley provides a healthy source of fiber and especially B vitamins. Barley is also low in saturated and unsaturated fat content.

Health Benefits

Vitamin B1 – Thiamine is an important vitamin since it breaks down sugars in the body. Thiamine also helps to support nerve and heart health.

Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 helps to keep your immune system in good working order. It aids in the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and amino acids while helping to maintain the health of lymph nodes. Additionally, vitamin B6 helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

Vitamin B9 – Folate is an important vitamin for liver function.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12, or folic acid, helps to preserve neurological function and DNA synthesis. It also plays a key role in the health of red blood cells. The nervous system relies on vitamin B12 for proper function as well.

Dietary Fiber – Dietary Fiber stimulates digestion and peristalsis, helping to relieve indigestion and constipation problems.

Season

Since they store indefinitely, you can find barley year round in your supermarket.

Nutrition Information

Per ¼ cup (50 grams):

Calories (cKal): 176
Protein (grams): 4.96
Total Fat (grams): .58
Carbohydrates (grams): 38.86
Fiber (grams): 7.8

Buying and Storing

There are no real issues to consider when buying barley besides making sure you are comfortable with the source and brand. They store for a very long time, just make sure to keep in a sealed container, and store for up to one year.