BARLEY DRINK

      Barley drink is one best homemade drink to keep your body cool and beat the internal heat.  Barley is a cereal grain, white in colour when hulled, a monocotyledon in the shape and colour of a pearl.  So it is commonly called as Barley Pearls.  Every Cuisine has its own home remedies to get rid of simple ailments and when it comes to Cold & Sore throat, this cooling Barley Drink is a traditional cure in many Chinese households.  Even it can treat Ance.
     Barley is rich in Carbohydrates, but has a remarkable amount of dietary fibre and has a very low-fat content.  It also contains minerals like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium and Copper(which is very rarely found in any other food source).  It is a good source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E & K.  Barley is rich in Anti-oxidants and Phytochemicals.
    As Barley has high soluble fibre, it helps in reducing Cholesterol and Blood Glucose Level. It is also a powerful Diuretic, which proves beneficial in keeping your body cool and benefits a healthy Kidney function too.  Barley also helps detoxify our body in a natural way.
    Cooking Barley Drink is quite easy.  I have given two methods of cooking Barley - In a Sauce Pan and in a Pressure Cooker.  Pressure Cooker method is a quick way of getting the job done.  Barley Drink as such has no much of a taste & flavour.  To sweeten it up with your choice of sweeteners like Sugar, Rock Sugar, Brown Sugar, Palm Sugar or add Candied Winter Melons. For a twist of fragrant Barley Drink cook it up with a knot of Pandan/Screwpine Leaf.  Can add some Lemon Juice to add a tinge of tanginess to the drink.

Health Benefits of Barley: 

High dietary fibre -
        helps to lower cholesterol
        fights constipation
        improves digestion
Low-Fat Content -
        helps in weight loss
Presence of Minerals -
        Helps lower Blood Pressure
        Maintains a healthy Bone
        Maintains a Healthy Heart
        Prevents Cancer
        Reduces Inflammation
   

 

INGREDIENTS :

Barley Pearls - 1/4 Cup
Water - 1 Litre
Salt - a Pinch
Sugar/Rock Sugar - To Taste

Optional Ingredients :

Pandan/Screwpine Leaves - 1 Leaf
Dry Winter Melons - 1/4 Cup

METHOD :

In a Sauce Pan :

• Wash the Barley Pearls 2 -3 times or until water runs clear.
• Pour 1 Litre of Water to the Barley Pearls along with a pinch of Salt in a Sauce Pan.
• Bring it to boil on a high flame.
• Reduce the flame and cook on a low flame for other 30-45 minutes or until the Barley Pearls are well cooked and turns soft.
• Adjust the amount of water, if necessary.
• Add the Rock Sugar/Sugar at this stage and mix well.
• Leave this on a flame for about 7-10 minutes.
• Switch off the flame.
• Serve Barley Drink hot or cold.

In a Pressure Cooker : 

• Wash the Barley Pearls 2 -3 times or until water runs clear.
• Pour 1 Litre of Water to the Barley Pearls along with a pinch of Salt in a Pressure Cooker.
• Cover the Lid and cook on high flame for 4-5 Whistles.
• Lower the flame and cook for other 7-8 whistles or for about 10-12 minutes.
• Switch off the flame and allow the pressure to release.
• Once the Pressure is released, remove the lid. 
• Adjust the amount of water, if necessary.
• Add the Rock Sugar/Sugar at this stage and mix well.
• Leave this on a flame for about 5 minutes.
• Switch off the flame.
• Serve Barley Drink hot or cold.

NOTES:

• If adding Pandan/Screwpine Leaves, tie it into a know and add it at the initial stage along with water and barley pearls.
• Remove the Pandan Leaves once the Barley is cooked, leaving it in the drink for a long time can give a slightly bitter taste to the Barley Drink.
• Add Candied Winter Melons also at the initial stage.
• Adjust the amount of Rock Sugar /Sugar, if adding Candied Winter Melons.
• As Candied Winter Melons are already sweet, it will on its own impart a sweetness to the Barley Drink.
• Can also add some Milk to the Barely drink just before serving.
• For a twist to plain Barley Drink, add some Lemon Juice to add a tinge of tanginess to the drink.
• Can serve the Barley Drink hot or cold.
• Can refrigerate the Barley drink for 1-2 Days.  
• If storing the Barley Drink in the refrigerator for more than a day, remove the Barley Pearls from the Drink.
• Otherwise, the Barley Drink may turn slimy.
• Can use the cooked Barley Pearls in Soups, Stews and even in Cendol.