Barley drink old mill: benefits and harms

Humanity has been cultivating barley for about 10 thousand years. This is one of the oldest cultivated cereals. It is mentioned in the Bible and Homer's Odyssey. A whole book could be written about the beneficial properties of the plant. We are used to thinking of cereals as porridge, pearl barley or barley. However, not only porridge is made from barley grains, but a drink that tastes like coffee. Cereal infusion differs from the latter in that it has practically no contraindications.

The benefits of such a drink are multifaceted and great. Normalizing weight, regulating blood glucose levels, strengthening the immune system, strengthening the heart and blood vessels, and the gastrointestinal tract - this is an incomplete list of the valuable properties of the product.

What is barley coffee

Barley has been used as a food crop for thousands of years. It is not for nothing that this product is in demand, since it includes a rich set of chemical elements.

In ancient times, barley was used to feed Roman gladiators and Russian heroes, which was the basis for preparing a variety of dishes and drinks. Porridge and drinks were made from this grain, and bread was also baked.

Later, a new drink was made, which was prepared from roasted and crushed barley. Natural coffee began to be replaced with this drink. But more often this happened not for health reasons, but due to the high cost and difficulty of delivering coffee beans.

Taste

The taste of barley drink practically does not resemble natural coffee. During the cooking process, it emits a pleasant bready aroma. If you add hot milk to the drink, the taste will become similar to an aromatic cappuccino. Often, to enhance the coffee aroma, chicory is added at the rate of ½ teaspoon per 200 ml.

Long-term oblivion does not mean that the product is bad

For a long period, there was an opinion 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, was an empty and useless product. What can we say about barley drink? The benefits and harms of this product were not even discussed. Most likely, this is due to the fact that its cost is relatively low and in times of famine it was barley that became a common guest on the tables of low-income people. He helped the poor both during the war and during the years of crop failure.

Barley is completely unpretentious in cultivation and grows almost throughout Russia. And what is always at hand, as is known, is usually perceived without much reverence. In addition, the direct dependence of the diet on material well-being is too obvious, and pearl barley is a traditional food during hard times. But everything flows and everything changes.

In recent years, interest in barley as a “healthy food” food has increased significantly. This trend cannot but rejoice. It affected not only barley, but also other gifts of the earth, in particular, quinoa and amaranth, which returned to our tables under exotic, overseas names - quinoa and amaranth. But they are not at all a curiosity for the Russian taste. By the way, both plants are considered weeds, and gardeners fight them mercilessly.

Barley drinks have returned to our diet no longer as cheap substitutes for tea and not as decoctions of medicinal plants to treat or restore the body weakened by disease, but as complete components of a healthy menu for all family members.

Composition and calorie content

All grains contain a large number of useful components. The same goes for barley. There is a large amount of fiber in the cereal - about 9%. Protein occupies a small proportion of the composition - 15.5%, and carbohydrates - 75.5%.

According to rough estimates, one cup of barley coffee contains about 20–25 kcal, as well as within 5 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of protein.

The drink also includes a considerable number of useful components:

B vitamins, represented by B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, B8, B9.
Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E.
Microelements and macroelements such as silicon, magnesium, iodine, fluorine, phosphorus, sulfur and zinc.

It is also known that barley grains contain dietary soluble fibers called beta-glucans. These components help eliminate toxins and other components harmful to the body, cholesterol, and also reduce the amount of sugar in the blood.

Types of barley-based drinks

Currently, you can purchase various ready-made drinks made from barley in the retail chain. They can be soluble or insoluble, contain only cereals or have additional components.

Among the instant products are the following:

Consisting only of grains:

"Health";
"Ear of Barley";
"Old Mill";
"Golden Ear".

“Kubanskiy” with cereals and natural coffee;
“Morning” with barley, rose hips, chicory;
“Kurzeme” with chicory and cereals;
“Aroma” with barley, cardamom, chicory;
“Tone” with echinacea and cereals.

Examples of insoluble cereal drinks include:

"Golden Ear";
"People's"
"Kurzeme";
"Children's";
"Barley Amateur";
"Morning".

What are the benefits of barley coffee?

General benefit

Even in the last century, thanks to the work of biologists, it was found that drinks based on barley have a strengthening effect on the nervous system. Therefore, the most active use of barley coffee is necessary for people who have experienced or are experiencing serious stress or other stress on the body.

That is why at that time they began to include barley drink in the diet to restore the body. In addition, it is recommended as a means of complex therapy in the treatment of a huge number of different diseases.

For women

First of all, the weakened state of the female body is a signal to take barley coffee. In addition, the drink helps fight caffeine addiction, which is harmful to health and contributes to the accelerated aging process. Also, drinking barley-based coffee balances hormonal levels and maintains the condition of the skin, hair and nails at the proper level.

In addition to the listed beneficial qualities of the drink, we can highlight several more that apply not only to the fair sex, but to all people:

supporting the functioning of the cardiovascular system at the proper level;
reduction of various types of pain;
stimulation of metabolic processes;
reducing the risk of diabetes;
bactericidal and tonic effect on the body;
prevention of cancer, especially breast cancer;
facilitating respiratory processes.

The most beneficial quality of the drink is that it helps reduce blood sugar. That is why it is recommended for use by patients diagnosed with diabetes. Due to its targeted bactericidal effect, its use is recommended for influenza and colds. This is due to the fact that the drink strengthens the immune system and promotes its resistance to infections and viral diseases.

For men

For men, barley drink is also very useful. Its positive characteristics here are as follows:

Keeps blood cholesterol levels at the required level thanks to the soluble fiber it contains, which also helps maintain a slim figure.
Recommended for use for the prevention of cancer.
Improves potency thanks to the nitric oxide and arginine contained in the composition, which help fight dysfunction of the reproductive system and increase the production of testicular and sperm cells.
Keeps the body in good shape due to its high selenium content, which improves the functioning of the heart and pancreas.

In addition to the listed positive effects of barley coffee, it is also worth noting that it is actively involved in the digestive process. This is facilitated by the beneficial bacteria present in the drink, which not only support intestinal function, but also minimize the risk of diseases such as hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

During pregnancy

Of course, you shouldn’t drink real coffee while pregnant. This is due to the fact that caffeine removes the calcium and magnesium needed during this period from the body. In addition, kidney function may be impaired and heart rate may increase significantly. That is why you should pay attention to substitutes for your favorite coffee. A barley drink is ideal for this. His work will be aimed at replenishing energy without harming the health of the body as a whole.

When breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, drinking coffee is prohibited. Also, you should not overuse tea at this time. A coffee substitute made from barley will be a good alternative for women who are breastfeeding.

This drink will not harm the health of a weakened female body or a developing child's body. It will not disturb the child's sleep, will not lead to an excited state and will not cause allergic manifestations. When honey and milk are added to the drink in moderation, it will also improve lactation.

For children

Barley drink can be useful not only for adults, but also for children. In addition, you can drink it not only in the morning, but also in the evening. It will have a positive effect on the child’s nervous system, without stimulating it, but on the contrary, calming it. In addition, this coffee will help replenish the child’s body with vitamins and minerals necessary for development.

When losing weight

Barley coffee helps remove toxins from the body. In addition, it is ideal for people watching their weight, due to the rapid saturation of the stomach. Due to its high fiber content, the drink keeps fluid levels in the body at the required level. Therefore, introducing barley coffee into your daily diet will help you get rid of extra pounds.

Beneficial features

Barley drinks have unique beneficial properties. They help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cleansing the digestive system of waste and toxins. Barley helps eliminate cholesterol and prevents the formation of kidney and gallstones. It is hypoallergenic, so it can be added to the list of dishes for people prone to somatic reactions to various types of foods.

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 its high content of silicic acid, which destroys aluminum oxide, and aluminum alloys are actively used in the production of food dishes 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 the cells. The consequence of the accumulation of harmful metals is Alzheimer's disease.

Harm and contraindications

As has already become clear from all of the above, barley coffee has a number of positive properties. As for contraindications, the drink has practically none. There are only two nuances in which it is believed that this liquid can cause harm to the body:

As a result of drinking too much, you can gain several extra pounds in a short period of time.
In case of identified diseases of the small intestine. These pathologies lead to the fact that the protein contained in gluten is not broken down and, therefore, is not absorbed. This can lead to many health problems.

Mugitya, damaicha and porichha

Mugitya, damaicha and porichha 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 in our stores under the name “Summer”.

This is barley coffee made from whole, unthreshed, 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 produced in the form of an instant concentrated powder.

We hope you found the article interesting. In it we looked at barley drink, the harm and benefits it brings to the body.

Natural coffee has many fans. But over time, for a variety of reasons, some have to give up their favorite drink. An alternative is barley coffee. It is not as aromatic and has different taste characteristics from black coffee, but it is healthy and has its own pleasant taste.

Barley coffee has a number of advantages, thanks to the culture from which it is prepared. The cereal contains such a quantity of vitamins and minerals that it is simply impossible to overestimate its benefits for the human body.

It is no coincidence that barley dishes occupied a significant place in the diet of Roman gladiators and Russian soldiers. And in our time, pearl barley porridge, prepared from peeled barley grains, is recommended to all fans of a healthy lifestyle.

As for the coffee drink, it was invented by Europeans as a substitute for natural coffee. True, they cooked it not for reasons of health benefits, but because the exotic product was very expensive and it was not always possible to get it.

So, among the beneficial properties of a drink made from barley are the following:

Thanks to its high carbohydrate and protein content, it is able to quickly restore strength after hard work.
It has a calming effect, so it is recommended for nervous disorders.
Fiber, which cereal mostly consists of, cleanses the intestines of harmful substances and toxins.
Barley beta-glucans restore the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and are beneficial in the treatment of a number of diseases of the digestive system.
The level of glucose in the blood is stabilized, so the drink is not harmful for diabetes.
Helps reduce excess weight.
Improves the condition of the cardiovascular system, thanks to its magnesium and potassium content, as well as vitamins E and D.
Activates collagen synthesis, which has a beneficial effect on the appearance of skin, nail plates and hair.
Recommended for combating harmful bacteria during infectious and colds.

Since barley coffee does not cause any harm to the body, there are absolutely no contraindications for its consumption. Although, unfortunately, the drink still has some disadvantages.

Natural coffee is very vaguely reminiscent of a cereal substitute.
Due to the lack of caffeine, it will be problematic to cheer you up in the morning.

How to select and store

Some stores sell barley coffee in a ready-made form suitable for direct preparation, namely roasted and ground. All that remains is to cook it correctly in a Turk.

The technology for producing raw materials for the drink comes down to selecting large-sized grains, thoroughly washing them and completely drying them. Next comes the frying stage.

You should not prepare or purchase large quantities of raw materials to prepare the drink. Keeping it in a suitable form without unnecessary hassle will not be easy.

Benefit

In the last century, it was proven that a drink made from this ingredient has a strengthening effect on the body. This product does not contain caffeine, therefore, even hypertensive patients can drink it to stimulate immune defense.

Barley coffee is an indispensable medicine for people under stress. Its use normalizes central nervous activity. If you brew it regularly, you will be able to get rid of increased excitability and nervousness.

Therapists advise patients to drink an invigorating cereal drink not only for medicinal, but also for preventive purposes.

Barley is often used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases such as duodenal ulcers, gastritis and pancreatitis. The product has a cleansing effect on the stomach and intestines. It also stimulates the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microflora.
Eating grains does not overload the pancreas, so they are often prescribed to treat diabetes and relieve internal inflammation.
It is also useful to drink barley coffee if there is cardiac dysfunction. The product is rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamin B and other substances necessary for the body for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Their absorption by the body strengthens veins and capillaries, making them more elastic.
Barley has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Therefore, it is recommended to brew it for colds and viral diseases.

Types of barley coffee

In order to purchase a drink, just go to the dietary departments. Not only insoluble preparations in the form of roasted barley can be sold there, but also instant drinks, sometimes even supplemented with other ingredients, such as medicinal herbs, rose hips, natural coffee, cardamom or chicory.

The most famous ready-made instant drinks are:

“Old Mill” is a caffeine-free product, but it contains many positive qualities. The disadvantage of this product is considered to be poor solubility, due to which lumps remain after brewing.
“Ear of Barley” contains not only crushed barley, but also chicory. Sold in convenient packaging with a reusable clasp. It has a bready aroma and during the brewing process forms a lush foam on the surface, which disappears after a while.
Happiness is made from selected barley grains. It does not harm the body and is also not addictive. The taste of the drink is pleasant, it invigorates and fills the body with energy. Helps in the fight against excess weight.
“Zdorovye” has a pleasant taste, slightly reminiscent of natural coffee. Dissolves completely in hot water.
“Golden Ear” is an excellent substitute for natural coffee. The drink contains crushed grains of barley and rye. The finished drink has a pleasant bitter taste, which can be removed by adding cream, condensed milk or sugar to the drink.

Each of the listed drinks is in unprecedented demand among people for whom natural coffee is contraindicated.

Manufacturing technology

In the production of barley coffee, only organic barley is used, which is grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. To begin with, the barley is thoroughly cleaned of all kinds of impurities. After this, the hard shell of the cereal must be removed, which can spoil the taste of the future drink. In Italy, special varieties of barley are grown that do not require special processing. This type of cereal is called bare grain.

Cleaned grains are roasted in special cylinder-shaped drums. The temperature in them does not exceed 200°C. After this, the raw materials undergo a cooling process using devices specially designed for this. And then the finished product is packaged in hermetically sealed bags.

Many companies produce various types of barley coffee. These can be whole grains, crushed, or prepared using a special technology - in capsules. In the production of instant barley coffee, almost the same technology is used as for instant natural coffee.

Ready drink

By buying ground or powdered rye-barley coffee, you will get rid of the hassle of preparing it. The ground cereal product is brewed as in the recipe above . Instant is poured with hot water or milk.

Review of popular brands

Popular brands of instant barley drink:

“Health” : the flavor palette is rich, delicate, similar to traditional coffee;
“Ear of Barley” : this drink is distinguished by a light bready taste, smell and delicate foam that rises after brewing;
“Old Mill” : the taste of cereals is practically not felt, there are soft coffee notes.

How to prepare beans for barley coffee: recipes

There are many different options for making coffee from barley. Each cooking option is good in its own way, but only if everything is done correctly.

In order for the finished drink to have good taste, aroma and color, it is worth using a combined method of roasting selected barley grains. To do this you will need to do the following:

Select large grains of barley, wash them well, and then dry them no less thoroughly.
Pour the prepared grains into a dry frying pan and fry over medium or low heat, stirring constantly for 20–30 minutes.
Divide the amount of beans to be roasted into two parts. Pour one part into a suitable container, and continue to fry the second for 15 minutes, also in a dry frying pan and low heat.
Mix the beans and grind using a coffee grinder. Barley coffee is ready for preparation.

No less popular than the option described above is coffee made from barley and rye. This drink dates back to ancient India; it was considered a means of achieving eternal youth. Making coffee involves the following steps:

Select large grains of barley and rye. Wash them thoroughly, then pour them into a suitable container and fill with cold water. Leave for 24 hours to infuse.
Now proceed to wet heat treatment. To do this, cook the grains over low heat until they begin to crack. After this, rinse them thoroughly again in cold water.
Leave in the sieve for a while to release excess moisture, and then start frying the grains. This will take a small amount of time, but will require special care. During the process, ensure uniform heating and frying. Readiness will be indicated by a change in the color of the cereals - the color should change to dark brown.

After this, you can begin to directly prepare the drink.

Kissel

Barley jelly is made both from purified grains, that is, from pearl barley, and from unthreshed ones. The proportions look quite arbitrary: at least 50 g of barley is required for one liter of water. If you like thick jelly, add more.

Barley is filled with water and placed on fire. After boiling, cook for another 20 minutes. Then it infuses and cools. Only the drink made from unrefined barley is filtered.

Barley jelly is a traditional dish for Russia. Previously, it was boiled thick and eaten with butter, seasoned with a pinch of salt. Sweet jelly with honey or berries was prepared for children.

Barley jelly is by no means a primitive dish with a couple of variations. You could write a whole book about the methods of making jelly from barley, because this drink can be brewed from fresh unthreshed grains, from dry peeled grains, and from sprouted grains. It is made in different thicknesses, eaten sweet and salty, diluted with butter, meat and vegetable broth.

Barley jelly has a fairly neutral taste, so it can be combined with a wide variety of foods.

On its basis, formulas are prepared for feeding infants if the mother has little milk of her own.

How to make barley coffee: recipes

The simplest version of barley coffee is called classic. Its preparation is as follows:

Prepare a Turk, into which you need to pour 3 tablespoons of prepared and crushed barley grains.
Pour purified water (280 ml) and send the Turk to the fire at minimum intensity.
Wait until it starts boiling, remove from heat and pour into cups.
Infuse for 5 minutes and you can enjoy the aromatic drink.

You can make barley coffee not only using water, but also milk. To do this, perform the following steps:

In a Turkish bowl, mix 200 ml milk and 100 ml water.
Add 4 tablespoons of prepared and chopped barley grains.
Bring to a boil over low heat and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

This option tastes like everyone’s favorite cappuccino. You will be pleased with the subtle bready aroma and thick, high foam. To complement the taste of the drink, you can use honey, cinnamon, cream, sugar, lemon or even ice cream.

Preparation of barley coffee with rye consists of the following steps:

Pour prepared barley and rye powder into the pot in the amount of 1 tablespoon.
Pour in 100 ml of purified water.
Bring to a boil over low heat and simmer for another 2 minutes. At the same time, you can add 1 teaspoon of chicory, which will enhance the coffee aroma of the drink.

There is a recipe for making a drink based on rye, barley and pearl barley. This drink is called “Fragrant”. The step-by-step preparation of coffee is as follows:

Place barley, rye, and pearl barley in equal proportions in a suitable container and fill with cold water 2 cm above the level of the cereals. Leave to steep for 12 hours.
After the specified time has passed, drain the remaining liquid and thoroughly rinse the cereal composition.
Boil water on the stove and pour the prepared grains into it, which are cooked until they begin to crack.
Rash?

Drinks “Barley Ear” and “Golden Ear”

These two barley drinks are analogues of ground coffee. They are sold in regular supermarkets in the grocery section.

“Ear of Barley” contains roasted ground barley grains and chicory root. The brewing method is indicated on the packaging. As a rule, one tablespoon of powder is required for one large mug. Barley coffee is brewed in the same way as regular coffee, in a Turk or coffee maker.

“Golden Ear” is a mixture of barley and rye grains. It is prepared in the same way as “Ear of Barley” or regular coffee.

It’s probably time to stop treating “Barley” and “Golden Ear” as cheap analogues of Brazilian coffee. The “Ear of Barley” drink resembles traditional coffee only in its brewing method and color. Its properties and taste are in no way similar to coffee, and its health benefits are significantly superior to the latter. Negative side effects can only be associated with the quality of barley raw materials and the additives that will be included in the drink.