Since childhood, we hear about proper and healthy nutrition, the main component of which should be cereals as a source of essential carbohydrates. One of the most useful and nutritious is barley porridge. hurt him
What is the grain make pearl barley
Perlovka is called barley grain from round grains and porridge from this grain. Grains are processed by a special method, cleared from an awn, passed grinding. They are medium in size, light gray in color with a dark brown stripe in the center. They are used to make porridges, soups, and use them to fill certain dishes.
Did you know? The name of pearl barley is derived from the word "pearl" because of the external similarity of its boiled grains with precious pearl gifts of rivers.
Porridge after cooking has a light walnut flavor. When cooking grains become moderately elastic, but not soft. This is one of the porridges that are cooked especially long.
Useful and nutritional properties of barley porridge were known for a long time - a few centuries ago, noble grandees and merchants liked to use it. However, it was often on the tables of poor peasants.
Calorie, Vitamins and Minerals
Let's look at what the nutritional value of barley grains is and what useful elements are included in their composition.
100 grams of pearl barley have a rather high calorie content - 320 kcal, boiled (on water) - 121 kcal. If you compare with other cereals, for example, the caloric content of buckwheat is 343 kcal in raw form and 110 in boiled one, oatmeal - 350/88, rice - 358/116, corn grits - 337/86.
Read also the article about the pros and cons of the use of buckwheat for our body.
The same amount of cereal is contained:
- proteins - 9.3 g (12%);
- fat - 1.1 g (3%);
- carbohydrates - 73.7 g (85%).
- A (0.014 mg / 100 g);
- B1 (0.12 mg);
- B2 (0.006 mg);
- B3 (4.4 mg);
- B5 (0.5 mg);
- B6 (0.36 mg);
- B9 (24 μg);
- E (3.7 mg);
- K (0.003 μg);
- PP (3.7 mg).
- phosphorus (323 mg / 100 g);
- zinc (0.92 mg);
- potassium (172 mg);
- calcium (38 mg);
- magnesium (40 mg).
Did you know? Pearl barley contains twice as much phosphorus as any other cereal.In addition to all the components listed above, there are also about 20 amino acids in the croup, among which eight are irreplaceable.
And due to the presence of a sufficiently large amount of fiber, barley is ranked as a powerful antioxidant and body cleanser. In terms of fiber content, pearl barley passes wheat.
Varieties of pearl barley
Depending on the processing method, pearl barley includes the following varieties:
- Actually wholegrain barley, with the top layer removed from its grains.
- The Dutchwoman - the grains are more thorough and deep processing, they are given a round shape. Porridge from it turns out softer and requires less cooking time.
- Barley - grains finely chopped. In cooking used for cereals.
Benefits for the human body
If you look at the composition of pearl barley, it becomes obvious that due to the content vitamin a she is capable strengthen vision, immune system and improve metabolism.
Vitamin B in the composition of porridge stabilizes the nervous system, strengthens hair, cleanses the skin.
For rejuvenation and beautiful skin in response vitamin E.
Eating porridge only twice a week, you can ensure that your hair, nails and skin will be in excellent healthy condition.
Perlovka favorably affects the digestive tract, brain activity. It is prescribed in diets for ulcers and those who suffer from colitis, pancreatitis, or simply want to lose weight.
Products that reduce appetite and weight: pumpkin, ginger, carrots, beets, kohlrabi, parsley, spinach, lettuce, Chinese cabbage.
In addition, barley porridge can affect blood purification, envelop the gastric mucosa, has a diuretic effect, lowers bad cholesterol and increases the hemoglobin needed, slows down the aging process. It is recommended to enter into the menu to people suffering from diseases of such significant organs as the liver, urinary system, gall bladder.
The silicic acid contained in barley grits is capable of naturally destroying sand and stones in the kidneys, gall bladder and bladder. When problems of this nature are advised to use no porridge, and decoctions.
But the presence of hordecin gives cereal antifungal and antibacterial effect.
Important! It is recommended to use barley porridge no more than three times a week.Experts say about such properties as barley, reducing the susceptibility of the organism to adverse external factors, which are accompanied by allergies.
For men
Men will be interested to know that the presence of a high content of phosphorus in the croup affects the intensity and speed of muscle contraction. Therefore, it should be in the diet of those people who lead an active lifestyle, go to gyms, play sports, bodybuilding.
For women
Perhaps most importantly, the usefulness of pearl for women is the presence of lysine in it. After all, it forms collagen - a substance that is responsible for the condition of the skin and the youth of the body.
And, of course, this mess should be used by those who watch their figure and are worried about the extra kilos they have. Perlovka is able to permanently remove the feeling of hunger and at the same time not be deposited with fat in the problem areas on the body, besides clean the intestines. Often, barley porridge can be found in the composition of unloading and medicinal diets, as well as it is part of a variety of face masks.
For kids
The presence in the children's menu of pearl barley porridge will provide the growing body with the required vitamins and minerals. Children who regularly use it have a strong immunity, suffer colds more easily and less frequently, are active and energetic.
Porridge due to the presence of phosphorus perfectly affects the condition of the bones, brain activity and the endocrine system. Fiber entering the children's body with pearl barley, will allow the gastrointestinal tract to function properly.
Use in cooking: how to cook and what is combined
As we have already pointed out, in cooking, barley grits are used in cereals, soups and fillings. 
Barley porridge is not very popular and is not so often included in the menu of ordinary families, such as other cereals. This is due, most likely, to the fact that it is much longer to prepare, and many do not know how to carry out this process correctly. Therefore, it leaves them slimy, hard and, as a result, tasteless.
If you also fail to achieve a good taste for pearl barley, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations on how to cook it.
So there are two ways: on the stove and in the slow cooker. Consider both.
On the stove. The secret to making tasty and crumbly porridge is in its thorough washing. Fill and drain the water several times so that the croup is cleaned of gray bloom. Next, pour three cups of cold water into the grits, place them on the stove and boil. After that, boil for another six to seven minutes and drain in a colander, give it a good drain. Meanwhile, pour two glasses of water into the pot and wait until it boils, then pour the semi-cooked cereal. Salt, put a small amount of butter (vegetable) oil. Cooking time is 30-40 minutes. From time to time it is necessary to mix porridge.
Important! In order for the porridge to become especially tender, and the cooking process is faster, it is advised to hold it in water for 12 hours before cooking, or over the steam for 20 minutes.
In the slow cooker. Place one glass of washed cereal in a multicooker bowl. Pour 2.5-3 glasses of water. Cook by setting the timer for 1.5 hours and the mode "Quenching". Add liquid as needed.
You can cook such porridge not only in water, but also in milk and meat broth. It goes well with mushrooms. It will be especially unusual to taste when adding greens, herbal spices, garlic to it.
It goes well with meat dishes, fish, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits. Children will love cereal with the addition of dried fruit and honey.
But barley soups are especially nourishing.
Also, sometimes barley is used for stuffing cabbage instead of rice or cook pilaf and perlotto from it (similar to risotto).
How to store pearl barley
Pearl barley should not be stored for more than 6-10 months. The best place to store it is a dry room with good air access. Barley does not lose its useful qualities if it is in a cardboard or metal container.
Important! If the croup has got an unpleasant musty or rancid smell, it is necessary to get rid of it. It is not suitable for food.
Contraindications
According to nutritionists, barley brings only benefit, and the harm from it can be minimal. So, for some people, individual intolerance may exist. You should not regularly eat porridge from pearl barley for people suffering from chronic constipation, increased acidity of the stomach.
And, of course, do not overdo it with its use. Since porridge cleans the body well, at the same time it cleanses it from useful calcium, and this is already harmful for humans. This effect is caused by the presence of gluten in the croup, a substance that washes out an important trace element from the body.
Due to the presence of this substance, barley porridge should not be given to children under one year old. Also, they are not recommended for babies under three years old and pregnant.
If you eat barley dishes in moderation, then, undoubtedly, this will favorably affect the state of your body, saturate you with energy and, as a result, with the joy of living every day. And now, thanks to our advice, you can cook barley porridge properly and tasty.
