We want to tell you about undeservedly forgotten, but tasty and healthy drinks from barley. We hope that after reading the information presented by us, you will agree that barley drinks should take pride of place in the menu of every person who is trying to take care of his health.
Like any product, drinks from this cereal have some contraindications. There are very few of them, but still it will not hurt to find out about them.
Next, we will try to introduce you in detail to the various options for barley drinks. Their benefits and harms will not be ignored by us.
Long oblivion does not mean that the product is bad
For a long period, it was believed that of all agricultural cereal crops, barley is the least useful and valuable from the point of view of microbiological analysis. At one time it was even believed that pearl barley, which is made from barley, is an empty and useless product. What can I say about barley drink? The benefits and harms of this product have not even been discussed. Most likely, this is due to the fact that its cost is relatively small and in the hunger years it was barley that became a familiar guest at the tables of low-income people. He helped out the poor in the years of war and in the years of crop failure.
Barley is very unpretentious in growing and grows almost throughout Russia. And what is always at hand, as you know, is usually perceived without much reverence. In addition, the direct dependence of the diet on material well-being is too obvious, and barley is the traditional food of periods of hard times. But everything flows and everything changes.
In recent years, interest in barley as a food from the category "for a healthy diet" has increased significantly. This trend cannot but rejoice. She touched not only barley, but also other gifts of the earth, in particular, swans and shiritsa, who returned to our tables under exotic, overseas names - quinoa and amaranth. But they are not a gimmick for the Russian taste. By the way, both plants are considered weeds, and gardeners are mercilessly fighting them.
Barley drinks have returned to our diet no longer as cheap substitutes for morning coffee and tea and not as decoctions of medicinal plants to treat or restore an organism weakened by an illness, but as full-fledged components of a healthy menu for all family members.
Beneficial features
Barley drinks have unique beneficial properties. They contribute to the improvement of the gastrointestinal tract, cleansing the digestive system from toxins and toxins. Barley helps to remove cholesterol, prevents the formation of stones in the kidneys and gall bladder. It is hypoallergenic; therefore, it can be added to the list of dishes for people prone to somatic reactions to various types of food products.
If you include any of the barley drinks in your daily diet, then be sure that in old age you will not begin to develop senile dementia. The fact is that one of the unique properties of barley is the high content of silicic acid, which destroys aluminum oxide, and aluminum alloys are actively used in the manufacture of food utensils and cutlery. During contact with them, a chemical reaction occurs, as a result of which aluminum in an easily digestible form enters our body and settles in cells. The accumulation of harmful metal is Alzheimer's disease.
Contraindications
Barley drinks have practically no contraindications. Two restrictions apply only to the following cases:
- Excessive enthusiasm for cereals can provoke weight gain, so diabetics can only eat them after consulting a doctor. In a similar situation, a barley drink is harmful only if you drink it in very thick and large portions. Calorie barley is slightly inferior to any similar cereal.
- Barley is also not indicated for patients with celiac disease. It contains gluten, and with this rare disease, the protein of cereal gluten, and barley, in particular, does not break down and is not absorbed. This violation of intracellular metabolism provokes serious health complications.
Barley coffee
Barley coffee is called a substitute for real coffee. However, the so-called “Barley” coffee drink only tastes like coffee. Unlike the present, it does not excite the nervous system and is suitable not only for a morning meal, but also for drinking throughout the day. Barley drink, the benefits of which are undeniable, are allowed even for small children.
Ground barley coffee can be bought at the store, but it is not difficult to make it yourself. Crude barley grains need to be fried in a dry frying pan until light brown and grind in a coffee grinder. Ground grains are brewed in a coffee grinder from the calculation - one spoon per cup of boiling water. It turns out a brown bitter drink, a bit like coffee. It is customary to drink it with sugar and milk or cream.
Barley Ear and Golden Ear
These two barley drinks are ground coffee analogues. They are sold in ordinary supermarkets in the grocery department.
"Barley spike" contains fried ground barley grains and chicory root. The brewing method is indicated on the package. Typically, one large mug requires one tablespoon of powder. Barley coffee is brewed in the same way as regular coffee in a Turk or a coffee maker.
The “Golden Ear” is a mixture of barley and rye grains. It is prepared in the same way as Barley Spike or regular coffee.
Probably, the time has come to stop treating “Barley” and “Golden Ear” as cheap analogues of Brazilian coffee. The barley ear drink is reminiscent of traditional coffee only by the method of brewing and color. Its properties and taste do not at all repeat coffee, and the health benefits far exceed the latter. Negative side effects can only be associated with the quality of barley raw materials and with those additives that will be included in the drink.
Malt drink
Barley malt drink is a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. For him, the seeds must be germinated within one to two days. As soon as the white sprouts hatch, the grains should be washed and dried. Grind dry grains and pour boiling water. Insist in a warm place for 30-40 minutes. For two or three tablespoons of ground barley, one and a half to two glasses of boiling water is enough.
Germinated grains can be prepared for future use and used as needed. They are stored both in whole and in crushed form.
Kissel
Barley jelly is made both from peeled grains, that is, from pearl barley, and from unfrozen. The proportions look rather arbitrary: at least 50 g of barley is required per liter of water. If you like thick jelly - put more.
Barley is poured with water and put on fire. After boiling, it boils for another 20 minutes. Then it insists and cools. Filter only a drink made from unpeeled barley.
Barley jelly for Russia is a traditional dish. Previously, it was cooked thick and eaten with oil, seasoned with a pinch of salt. Children were prepared with sweet jelly with honey or berries.
Barley jelly is not a primitive dish with a couple of options. A whole book can be written on the methods of making jelly from barley, because this drink can be brewed from fresh unmilled grains, and from peeled and sprouted dry ones. It is made of different densities, eaten sweet and salty, diluted with milk, vegetable oil, meat and vegetable broths.
Barley jelly has a fairly neutral taste, so it is combined with a wide variety of products.
Based on it, mixtures are prepared for breastfeeding infants, if the mother has little own milk.
Mughity, Damaycha and Poricha
Mughitya, Damaycha and Poricha are three names for the same barley drink, very popular in Japan, China and Korea. It is similar to the Russian one, which is sold under the name "Summer" in our stores.
This is barley coffee made from whole, unmilled, roasted and ground beans without any additives in the form of milk powder, sugar or preservatives. It is brewed like regular coffee, but it is customary to drink it cold, putting a slice of lemon and ice in a cup. This drink is also released in the form of an instant concentrated powder.
We hope you find the article interesting. In it, we examined the barley drink, the harm and benefits that it brings to the body.