Barley Puree

What Is Barley Grits?

Barley grits is a product obtained by coarsely grinding or crushing barley grain that has had most of its hull removed. Since it is broken into smaller pieces than the whole grain, it softens into a porridge consistency in water or milk much faster.

In Anatolia it is especially known by grandparent generations as the "barley grits cure"; it has been traditionally consumed as a light, gentle food for stomach ailments, and also as an easily digestible porridge during babies' transition to solid food.

Nutritional Values of Barley Grits

Barley grits has a nutritional profile close to its source, raw barley; 100 grams contains about 352 kcal of energy, 9.9 g protein, and 15.6 g fiber. It is rich in barley's characteristic soluble fiber, beta-glucan. It contains gluten.

What Are the Benefits of Barley Grits?

With its high fiber and beta-glucan content, barley grits is a traditional grain product that stands out as part of a balanced diet; due to its ease of cooking and light texture, it has traditionally been preferred for stomach ailments and infant nutrition. This traditional use is a general food recommendation, not a method of medical treatment.

This information is general; barley grits is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. Since it contains gluten, celiac patients and those with gluten sensitivity should not consume it.

How to Choose Barley Grits?

Barley grits is generally sold coarsely ground at herbalists and grocery sections; freshly ground, moisture-free product should be preferred.

• The color should be light beige-cream, homogeneous, and free of clumps.
• It should not carry a mold smell or a sour odor.
• Whether it is finely or coarsely ground should be checked on the packaging and chosen according to the recipe.

How to Store Barley Grits?

Since it has been ground/crushed, it has a shorter shelf life than the whole grain due to increased surface area; it keeps its freshness for about 6 months in a sealed container, in a cool, dry place. Cooked porridge can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Using Barley Grits in the Kitchen

Barley grits is most often boiled with water or milk and consumed as a breakfast porridge; it can also be added to soups as a thickener.

How Is Barley Grits Porridge Made?

One measure of barley grits is cooked with three measures of milk or water over low heat, stirred constantly, for about 10-12 minutes, until the consistency thickens; it is served sweetened with honey, pekmez, or cinnamon.

How Is Barley Grits Used in Baby's First Foods?

Finely ground barley grits is simmered for a long time with milk until it reaches a smooth consistency, preparing a light porridge for babies who are just starting on solid food; as with any introduction of solid food, consulting a pediatrician is recommended.

What Recipes Is Barley Grits Used In?

Barley grits porridge, milk-based barley grits breakfast, and vegetable soups thickened with it are the most common uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are barley grits and barley flour the same thing?

No, barley grits is a coarsely ground/crushed product, while barley flour is finely ground; barley grits is used for porridge consistency, and flour is used for baked goods.

What is the "barley grits cure"?

It is a folk practice in Anatolia based on consuming light, plain-cooked barley grits porridge for a few days for stomach ailments; it is not a treatment for any disease, but a choice of an easily digestible food.

Is barley grits gluten-free?

No, since it is made from barley it contains gluten; celiac patients and those with gluten sensitivity should not consume it.

What is barley grits good for?

With its fiber and beta-glucan content, it is an easily digestible grain product that stands out as part of a balanced diet. It is a food; it carries no claim of curing any disease.

How long does barley grits take to cook?

Finely ground barley grits reaches porridge consistency in 10-12 minutes while being stirred constantly, and more coarsely ground ones in 15-18 minutes.