Like its gemstone namesake, pearl barley is a popular grain which has been processed to remove some of its outer layer, leaving a rounded, polished exterior. It has had a resurgence in recent years due to its versatility, availability, relative low cost and nutritional values. Here we look at why we think it deserves the hype…
What is pearl barley?
Pearl barley gets its name from the process it goes through once harvested. The ‘shell’, or ‘hull’ is removed from the barley and then the grain is polished or ‘pearled’ to remove the bran. It is this that leaves you with a beautiful ‘pearl’ of barley.
Most frequently associated with broths and soups, these pearls are far more versatile than that and can be used in a wide variety of products. Pearl barley is often described as having a mild nutty flavour with a consistency that is soft and slightly chewy upon cooking and absorbs flavours from the liquid it is cooked in. This makes it a very diverse addition to both traditional and modern cooking.
Harvesting pearls
To produce great quality pearl barley starts by making sure that the raw materials are of the same quality. While some of our barley comes direct from our farm, The Mead, we try to source as much of our barley as possible from a 40-mile radius of our Berwick-upon-Tweed processing facility.
Before working with a supplier, we always take samples from the grower for quality checking at our in-house laboratory. This way, we know that the products we are working with meet our high standards. Essentially, we are looking for bold barley that, when the outer husk is removed, is creamy in colour and has a moisture content of less than 16%.
Most of our pearling barley is made using spring sown varieties of barley with some additional volume made up from Winter varieties. Over the years, we have developed a bank of growers who know what we look for in our pearling barley quality standard.
Filler and substance
Pearl barley is a visual ingredient in recipes, meaning the presentation and colour of pearling barley is very important. In soups and broths, the pearl barley is usually visible immediately and in fresh/prepared salads, it is one of the key visual features, which is why we have the quality stipulations that we do.
However, it is more than just a pretty face. As well as being a filling carbohydrate ingredient, it also brings significant nutritional benefits. Barley is an excellent source of fibre, high in B vitamins and minerals that support the immune system and is a good source of protein. Being rich in soluble fibres and protein, barley can aid dieting as it helps to reduce hunger by enhancing satiety.
According to Good Housekeeping, pearl barley is also high in phytochemicals. There is a degree of research showing that these help to lower cholesterol and protect against stroke and heart disease.
Pearl barley is frequently used to replace rice in a variety of dishes, in part due to the substantial nutritional benefits.
Pearls of wisdom
We think that good quality pearl barley deserves its recent popularity, and it is great to see this adaptable product in such high demand.
Find put more about our pearl barley and how you can use it in your products by contacting us today.