Barley is a versatile grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture. It’s been around for thousands of years and has many uses in cooking, from breakfast porridge to hearty soups and stews. But if you’re wondering where to find barley in the grocery store, it can be tricky. Depending on the type of store you shop at, barley may be found in several different places throughout the store. In this article, we’ll explore exactly where to look for barley at your local supermarket or health food store so that you can enjoy its delicious goodness!
What Is Barley?
After rice, wheat, and maize, it is the world’s fourth most significant cereal crop. This grain is also processed into malt, which is used in a variety of foods. The primary uses of barley are in the brewing, food processing, and animal feed industries.
Barley is one of the most popular grains in the world, particularly in the United States. This adaptable nut has a somewhat caustic flavor and a scent that is comparable to chestnuts, and it may be used in a variety of cuisines.
Best Barley On Amazon
What Is Barley Used for?
Barley is a low-cost grain that is simple to incorporate into one’s diet. Barley is a fantastic option for more refined grains because of its high fiber content. For example, instead of pasta or white pasta, barley might be served as a side dish. White rice recipes like paella and risotto can also be made with barley.
Barley can also be used in soups, stuffings, and stews. Alternatively, it can be eaten as part of a hot cereal breakfast or added to salads and sandwiches. Alternatively, you may just buy whole grain bread that contains barley.
What Are Advantages Of The Barley?
The barley plays an important role in our life with many advantages.
Rich in essential nutrients
Barley is a nutritious grain that is high in vitamins, minerals, and other plant elements. Whole barley, hulled barley, raw barley and barley flour are some of the most prevalent varieties of barley. Barley is a good source of fiber, molybdenum, manganese and selenium when eaten as a whole grain. Copper, vitamin B1, chromium, phosphorus, niacin and magnesium are all abundant in this food.
Helping lose weight effectively
Barley can help you lose weight by decreasing hunger sensations and increasing satiety. Because of its high level of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, barley has the capacity to lessen most hunger. In the intestines, this type of fiber tends to create a gel-like material, inhibiting digestion and nutritional absorption.
Improving digestion
The majority of the fiber in barley is insoluble, which helps food flow through the intestines more readily and decreases constipation. The soluble fiber in barley, on the other hand, provides a plentiful source of food for intestinal beneficial bacteria, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which help nourish intestinal cells while lowering inflammation and improving symptoms of intestinal illnesses.
Helping lower cholesterol
Barley can also help to decrease cholesterol levels in the body. By binding to bile acids, the beta-glucans present in barley has been demonstrated to reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). The bile acids will be eliminated through the feces. As a result, the liver must utilize more cholesterol to produce new bile acids, lowering the amount of cholesterol in your blood.
Where To Find The Barley In Grocery Store?
Because barley is such a versatile grain, you can get it in a variety of places in the grocery store. The cereal counter is the first place you should look. Some stores have their own cereal area, which frequently has barley. If you don’t notice anything on the shelf, it can be hidden down below.
Rice and bean counter
Because rice is also a grain, barley is sometimes found directly next to the rice counter and beans in the store. Barley may be found in a variety of rice kinds, so it makes sense to serve it alongside rice and beans.
Breakfast counter
Barley is sometimes used in this area because oats are considered a breakfast staple. If you can’t find the counters we described above, go to the breakfast section.
Soup counter
In handmade soups, barley is a typical ingredient. As a result, it’s frequently found in the soup shop’s aisles. Oats can also be included on the side of soup cans with typical soup or condiment components.
Bakery stall
Barley is a common ingredient in many homemade pieces of bread, particularly among those who eat clean. It could be in the baking aisle with cornstarch, flour, and other baking goods. When shopping for baking ingredients, oatmeal is more readily available than whole-grain oats. It can also be used as a thickening in stews and soups.
What Grocery Store Sells Barley?
Here are a few good sites to find Barley in the grocery store:
Amazon
Amazon is a very user-friendly internet shopping site. This e-commerce business sells barley in a range of quantities, prices, and brands. So you don’t have to leave your house to get your order delivered to your front door. You can also compare prices and read reviews from other customers to find the best barley.
Walmart
Many of the same products are available at Walmart as they are on Amazon. Both Bob’s Red Mill Pearl Barley and Goya Barley are available here. On Walmart’s website, you can place an order or look for nearby stores.
Your Local Health Food Store
Because barley is a popular dish among eat clean eaters, you may get it in health food stores.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods is a terrific place to go if you need to buy barley in bulk for your business or a large household. There are also over 365 barley brands to pick from, as well as a plethora of other packaging brands.
Safeway
Signature Kitchens Pearl Barley, Arrowhead Mills Organic Pearled Barley, and a range of additional barley varietals are available at Safeway.
Kroger
Kroger Pearled Barley is the most popular barley kind at Kroger supermarkets, and it’s the place to go if you’re seeking it. Barley from Quaker and Bob’s Red Mill is also available.
Publix
This is a well-known barley brand where you may discover every variety of barley.
Where To Buy The Barley Near Me?
If you are looking for a place to purchase barley near your current location, the best way to find out is by doing an online search. A simple query in a search engine will allow you to sort through local retailers that carry barley so that you can buy it nearby.
You may also want to check out online stores or specialty stores in your area, as they are more likely than a standard grocery store to have what you need. Once you have determined where to purchase the barley, make sure to look into pricing and availability of the product before making a final decision on which retailer to buy from.
Additionally, bear in mind any additional fees (like shipping) associated with ordering online if that is the route you choose. If all else fails, you can always contact your local farmer’s market or reach out to a local farming cooperative as these are likely to have the barley variety and quantity that you need.
Good luck with finding the right barley for your needs!
Common Types of The Barley In The Grocery Store
Barley is classified into many types depending on how it is processed. Here are a few of the most prevalent barley cultivars.
Hulled Barley
It’s also known as whole-grain barley because it’s a form of barley with the skin on. This form of barley is high in fiber and protein and is very healthy. This whole grain has a lengthier cooking time and a chewy texture, as well as a distinct flavor.
Hulless Barley
It’s comparable to Hulled Barley in that it’s a whole grain and whole grain. The rough outer shell of Hulless Barley, on the other hand, has been removed.
Barley Grits
Similar to hominy flour, buckwheat flour, or oats, this form of barley is toasted and then broken into little pieces. They can be served as a cereal-like side dish. Because pearl barley cooks in a shorter length of time due to the tiny size of the grains, they are not considered whole grains.
Barley Flakes
Because it is thinly rolled, this sort of barley looks similar to ready-to-eat oats. Sliced barley kernels have been cooked, rolled, and dried. It only takes a few minutes to put together. Depending on whether they are whole grains or pearls, they have various levels of minerals and fiber.
Barley Flour
This is the most frequent barley used in breakfast. It can also be used as a soup thickening.
Pearl Barley
The outer shell of barley has been removed and polished, resulting in barley pearls. This is the most popular type of barley, and it cooks in a short amount of time.
Substitute for The Barley
Here are some good substitutes for whole-grain barley if you don’t find barley in the grocery store:
Quinoa
Quinoa is gluten-free and has a crunchy surface with a nutty flavor. As a result, folks who are gluten or wheat intolerant will prefer it.
Farro
Farro is the ideal barley substitute because it has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture similar to barley. As a result, they can be used to thicken soups, salads, and other side dishes instead of barley.
Buckwheat
This grain substitute has a stronger flavor than other grains, and it has a fatty flavor that some people dislike. Buckwheat, on the other hand, may appeal to people who favor a bland barley flavor.
Brown Rice
Brown rice, like quinoa and buckwheat, is a gluten-free alternative to barley. It has more fiber and keeps you satiated for longer, which is beneficial to your diet.
Millet
Millet’s surface is not chewy, but rather like potato purée, giving it a stickiness. When used in soups, it can be used in place of barley.
Oats
Oats are a gluten-free alternative to barley that can be used in breakfast cereals or soups.
How To Use The Barley?
Here’s how to prepare barley step by step:
1. Bring 3 cups water (or broth) to a boil, then add 1 cup barley.
2. Season with a little salt to enhance the flavor.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the texture is sticky and somewhat chewy.
Note: Cooking time for pearl barley is 25 to 30 minutes, whereas shelled barley requires 45 to 1 hour.
FAQS on find barley in the grocery store
Refer to the commonly asked questions below to find Barley in the grocery store.
Who wouldn’t want to eat barley?
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance sufferers.
Is it okay if I drink barley after my meal?
To ensure that the best nutrients are absorbed efficiently without the presence of other foods, sip carefully on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal or 2 hours later.
Is it okay if I eat barley at night?
It contains amino acids, melatonin, and tryptophan, all of which aid in sleep. Because barley tea is caffeine-free, it’s perfectly fine to consume before bed.
Is barley beneficial to the kidneys?
According to some research, the nutritional makeup of barley water may aid kidney and liver function. In addition, barley can help reduce kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, barley is a nutrient-dense whole grain that can be found in many grocery stores. It’s often located near the other grains or cereals section and sometimes also available in bulk bins. Barley in the grocery store comes in many varieties and forms including hulled, pearled, crushed, ground into flour for baking purposes, and even beer brewing!
With its versatility and nutritional benefits such as high fiber content to aid digestion and reduce cholesterol levels, it’s no wonder why barley has become an increasingly popular ingredient among health-conscious shoppers today. Whether you want to use it for soups or salads or start making your own homemade bread with barley flour – adding this wholesome grain to your diet will surely make a difference!
See also: