Barley

Barley is a wonderfully versatile cereal grain with a rich nutlike flavour and an appealing chewy, pasta-like consistency. Its appearance resembles wheat berries, although it is slightly lighter in colour. Sprouted barley is naturally high in maltose, a sugar that serves as the basis for both malt syrup sweeteners. When fermented, barley is used as an ingredient in and other alcoholic beverages.Barley is a common staple in human and animal diets. Part of the grass family, barley grows in over 100 countries and is one of the most popular cereal crops, surpassed only by wheat, corn and rice. Although barley is fairly adaptable and can be grown in many regions, it is a tender grain and care must be taken in all stages of its growth and harvest.