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What is Pearl Barley?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Pearl barley is the name given to barley grains with both their hull and bran layer removed, leaving a rounded, polished exterior. These grains cook faster than those with the bran layer in tact, and for this reason are sometimes sold as “quick cooking” or “easy preparation” barley. Despite losing their nutritious bran layer during processing, pearl barley is nevertheless considered a health food, as it contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals. It is commonly eaten on its own, or added to soups and stews; it may also be used in animal feed or on industrial farms.

How it is Processed

Barley is a grain that, in nature, grows encased in a tough hull. Humans cannot digest the hull, and it is always removed — either by machines or by consumers themselves — before the grain is cooked or eaten.

Barley.
Barley.

Underneath the hull is a layer of bran. The bran lends a rough texture and nutty flavor, as well as significant amount of fiber. Most of the barley that is sold commercially has this bran layer in tact. The biggest exception is pearl barley — in order to achieve the smooth, shiny surface so characteristic of this variation, the bran layer must be removed. This is almost always done mechanically, usually in a grain processing plant. The bran layer is either soaked or rubbed off, and the resulting grain rinsed, dried, and packaged for sale.

Nutritional Value

Some cooks use cooked pearl barley, which adds vitamins and minerals, when making stew.
Some cooks use cooked pearl barley, which adds vitamins and minerals, when making stew.

Despite having lost its nutritious bran layer, barley pearls are still usually considered a whole grain, and have many nutritive benefits. Pearls are high in protein, iron, and natural fiber, and also contain small amounts of calcium. Like all other types of barley, pearled versions are also very low in fat. Some medical studies suggest that regularly eating barley and other whole grains can help regulate blood sugar, which may be of particular benefit to diabetics. It may also help to lower cholesterol.

Basic Preparation

Research suggests that barley and other whole grains can help stabilize a diabetic's blood glucose levels.
Research suggests that barley and other whole grains can help stabilize a diabetic's blood glucose levels.

Cooking pearl barley is usually very simple. The grain can usually be prepared just as rice would be — that is, by simmering it in a small amount of boiling water, then waiting for that water to be absorbed. The density of the grain means that it will often take longer to cook than basic white rice might, but it is not usually any more complicated. Many commercial rice cookers can also be adjusted to cook pearl barley.

Most recipes that call for “barley” can take either pearled or hulled varieties. Grains with their bran layer still in tact will take longer to cook, but the two are basically interchangeable in terms of taste and texture.

Culinary Uses

Pearl barley is sometimes used as an ingredient in a tossed salad.
Pearl barley is sometimes used as an ingredient in a tossed salad.

Cooks can be very innovative with pearled barley preparations. The grain is often served either as a side dish or as a hot cereal, usually with milk or honey. Some also choose to toss it into salads. Raw pearls are commonly added to thicken soups and stews, as well, lending a nutritive boost while often improving the overall texture and heartiness.

Industrial and Farm Consumption

Pearl barley can also be used in animal feed. This is often what happens to pearls that are misshapen or fail to separate completely from their bran layer or hull. Rather than waste the damaged grains, manufacturers send them to livestock processing plants where they provide useful nutrition to a range of farm animals.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon209487

Loved that article. Glad to see what it actually is!

anon94281

Thank you. Barley also has a great, munchy texture, too, and has a light fullness, not a gluey, starchy one.

anon51341

i would like to know if pearl barley will help in losing weight? i have started taking water of pearl barley for the last 20 days. In what way it will help? -aapa

anon35642

I just purchased some pearl barley and would like to try it for breakfast tomorrow. How do I prepare it? Thanks, Marlene

anon24702

What is the self life of pearl Barley?

mendocino

Hulled barley has a higher nutritional value than pearl barley. Barley has a great many health benefits, such as it helps keep cholesterol down, it slows digestion of starches, and that in turn controls blood sugar.

It is high in vitamin B and niacin that help keep the heart healthy. So I would say, eat barley more often for good health.

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    • Barley.
      By: schankz
      Barley.
    • Some cooks use cooked pearl barley, which adds vitamins and minerals, when making stew.
      By: Joe Gough
      Some cooks use cooked pearl barley, which adds vitamins and minerals, when making stew.
    • Research suggests that barley and other whole grains can help stabilize a diabetic's blood glucose levels.
      By: dalaprod
      Research suggests that barley and other whole grains can help stabilize a diabetic's blood glucose levels.
    • Pearl barley is sometimes used as an ingredient in a tossed salad.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Pearl barley is sometimes used as an ingredient in a tossed salad.