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National Barley Month

 

February is National Barley Month, so let’s take a look at some fun facts about this nutritious grain:

  • History shows that barley was one of the earliest grains to be grown for meals. Grains found in ancient pits and pyramids in Egypt indicate that barley was cultivated there more than 5,000 years ago.
  • Barley grains have an indigestible thick outer hull which must be carefully removed to avoid losing some of the grain’s bran layer. To avoid this difficulty in processing, hulless varieties have been bred so the outer hull is loosely attached, and it naturally falls off during harvesting. Because this type needs minimal cleaning, most of the bran and endosperm is left intact and the germ is present.
  • Hulless barley is very nutritious and naturally high in protein, fiber, and a variety of essential minerals. It has the lowest glycemic index of any grain (about 1/3 that of wheat), which makes it a great choice for diabetics. Those who have celiac disease and wheat allergies may also be able to safely consume barley.
  • The European Union is the world’s largest producer of barley at 51 million metric tons. The US is ninth with 3.8 million metric tons.
  • About 75 percent of the barley grown in the US is used for malt production (most malt is used to make beer). The remainder is used for feeding livestock and human consumption.

Did you know that England’s King Edward II used barley to establish the model size of an inch? He set the standard for the measurement as “three grains of barley, placed end to end lengthwise”. Now, put 36 grains of barley end to end, and you’ll have a foot – the average length of a man’s foot.