How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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parts

Ingredients

1Cooking the Barley

2Flavoring the Barley Water

3Serving and Storing the Barley Water

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Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

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Co-authored byHunter Rising

Last Updated: February 18, 2024Tested

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Barley water is a nutritious drink that can provide you with lots of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Having barley water every day may also help improve your cholesterol and blood sugar over time.[1] If you want to try it, barley water is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. When you’re finished, you’ll have a healthy drink that you can enjoy!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (100 g) of pearl barley
  • 10 cups (2.4L) of water
  • 1 grated lemon rind
  • 1 cup (240ml) of lemon juice
  • 1 cup (225 g) of sugar or sugar substitute
  • 5 peppermint leaves (optional)
  • 1 sprig of oregano (optional)

Makes 10 servings

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cooking the Barley

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  1. 1

    Rinse the barley with cold water. Put ½ cup (100 g) of pearl barley in a strainer and rinse it underneath your faucet. Use cold water so your barley doesn’t cook too early and lose any of its flavor. Keep running the water through the barley until it comes out clear.[2]

    • Stir the barley with a spoon or with your hands to ensure all of the grains are rinsed.
  2. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Combine the barley, lemon zest, and water in a pot. Pour the rinsed barley into a clean pot along with 10 cups (2.4L) of cold water. Use a grater or fruit zester to scrape the zest off of a lemon into the pot as well.[3]

    • If you don’t have a zester, you can remove the entire peel from the lemon and put it in your pot instead.

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  3. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute. Put the pot on your stove and turn the burner onto high heat. Let the water come to a rolling boil and let it bubble for at least 1 minute.[4]

  4. 4

    Simmer the barley for 30-60 minutes. Set the burner to medium-low heat and let the barley simmer for at least 30 minutes so infuses with the water. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon occasionally so the barley doesn’t get stuck to the pot or burn. After you’re done simmering the barley, turn off the heat.[5]

    • The barley flavor in your water will get stronger the longer you leave it to simmer.
  5. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (8)

    5

    Strain the water from the barley into a heat-safe pitcher. Put a heat-safe pitcher in your sink so you can easily pour the water into it. Set a strainer on top of the pitcher and pour the barley into it. Go slowly so you don’t spill any of the water. Shake the strainer to drain any water between the barley grains. You can choose to save the barley or throw it away if you don’t plan on eating it.[6]

    • You can store cooked barley in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container.

    Tip: Mix the barley you used with dried fruits, nuts, and warm milk to make a healthy breakfast.[7]

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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Flavoring the Barley Water

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  1. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (10)

    1

    Add sugar to the water to sweeten it. Pour in 1 cup (225 g) of sugar while the barley water is still hot. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture while it’s still warm so the sugar completely dissolves in the water.[8]

    Tip: If you don’t want to use sugar, you can substitute 12 cup (120ml) of honey or 1 cup (225 g) of artificial sweetener instead.

  2. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (11)

    2

    Mix in lemon juice for a citrusy flavor. You can either use juice squeezed from a fresh lemon or bottled lemon juice. Pour 1 cup (240ml) of lemon juice in the barley water and stir it until it’s thoroughly mixed together.[9]

    • Test the flavor of your water, and add more lemon juice if you want.
  3. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (12)

    3

    Add peppermint leaves if you want to infuse fresh flavors. While the water is still warm, drop 5 fresh peppermint leaves and stir them in. Leave the leaves in the water for at least 20 minutes so the flavors can infuse with the water. After 20 minutes, you can choose to leave the mint in the water or strain them out.[10]

    • If you want a slight spiciness to your water, add 1 sprig of fresh oregano along with the peppermint.[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Serving and Storing the Barley Water

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  1. 1

    Refrigerate the barley water until it’s cold. Transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator so it can cool off. Make sure to cover the pitcher so nothing can get into your water. Leave it there for about 2 hours or until it’s cold enough to drink.[12]

  2. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

    2

    Drink barley water over ice in the morning for a healthy start to your day. Fill a glass with ice and pour your barley water into it. Add slices or wedges of fresh lemon to garnish your drink and add more flavor to the drink.[13]

    • You don’t have to use lemons if you don’t want to.
  3. How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    3

    Enjoy up to 4 cups (950ml) of barley water daily. You can enjoy barley water before or after meals throughout the day to get more vitamins and minerals in your diet. Don’t consume more than 4 cups (950ml) of barley water per day since it’s high in fiber and can cause an upset stomach.[14]

    Warning: If you have diarrhea after consuming barley water, stop drinking it immediately.

  4. 4

    Store barley water in your fridge for up to 1 week. Keep the barley water in a covered pitcher or in single-serving bottles so they’re easy to drink. After 1 week, dump out any leftover barley water since it will start to go bad.[15]

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      Warnings

      • Barley water contains gluten, so don’t drink it if you have a gluten intolerance or wheat allergy.[16]

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      • If you develop rashes, feel stomach cramps, have diarrhea, or have headaches after having barley water, stop drinking it immediately.[17]

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      Things You’ll Need

      • Strainer
      • Pot
      • Grater
      • Measuring cups
      • Stove
      • Pitcher

      About This Article

      How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

      Co-authored by:

      Hunter Rising

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. This article has been viewed 75,304 times.

      6 votes - 67%

      Co-authors: 9

      Updated: February 18, 2024

      Views:75,304

      Categories: Water Ice and Sports Drinks

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      How to Prepare Barley Water: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How many times a day should I drink barley water? ›

      You can enjoy barley water before or after meals throughout the day to get more vitamins and minerals in your diet. Don't consume more than 4 cups (950 ml) of barley water per day since it's high in fiber and can cause an upset stomach.

      How do you make barley water for kidney disease? ›

      -Boil 1 litre of water with a tablespoon of barley pearls and boil on a low flame for about 30 minutes or until the water has reduced to half. -Strain and cool this mix and drink it through the day.

      Can we drink uncooked barley water? ›

      Unstrained barley water is a delicious, simple, and refreshing way to get a hearty dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While too much barley water can put a strain on your digestive system, drinking it a few times a week can help you lose weight and avoid diabetes and heart disease.

      How much barley do I soak in water? ›

      For hulled barley only, soak the dry grains.

      Put 1 cup of the dry hulled barley grains in a large bowl and add 3 cups of water. Leave it alone for a few hours or overnight. This is an optional step but does help the cooking water to penetrate the grains better. (Skip this step if using pearl barley).

      Is it good to drink barley water in the morning empty stomach? ›

      It's an old but gold health routine that's been followed for many years. Not just a refreshing morning pick-me-up, this brew is packed with essential nutrients. An empty stomach invites numerous health benefits from barley water.

      Does barley water clean kidneys? ›

      A: Yes. Barley water helps cleanse the kidneys and helps treat issues such as cystitis, kidney stones, and high creatinine levels. A form of water it helps to keep the body hydrated. It also helps the kidney to flush out toxins from the body.

      Does barley water increase urination? ›

      Barley water is a magical drink for urinary tract infections. It works as a diuretic that increases urination and flushes out toxins from the body. Barley water is an excellent solution for kidney stones and cysts too. This drink is recommended in children and adult age groups daily till the urine infection subsides.

      What is the best time to drink barley? ›

      Drink one sachet 30 minutes before meals. Make sure you use either cold or room temperature liquids, as hot liquid will break down the living enzymes in the Barley.

      How long to soak barley? ›

      Soak the barley for 8 hours or overnight in ample water. Rinse the barley in a strainer. Drain well and remove any debris that may have made into your barley. Now bring the 3 cups of water or broth to a boil.

      Can we store barley water in fridge? ›

      Once you have made barley water, you can keep it in your refrigerator for a day or 2. Great to make ahead, it is nice to have on hand so that you can enjoy it for a hydrating beverage any time of the day. But if you are trying to recover from illness, make and consume it fresh.

      Why do Koreans drink barley water? ›

      Koreans swear that barley tea is essential to the digestion, and relieves constipation. The Japanese, who call barley tea mugicha, also claim important health benefits.

      Which is healthier barley or oatmeal? ›

      Depending on what you're looking for in your diet, they certainly stack up differently, but in most cases, barley beats oatmeal to the nutrition punch. Besides helping make you feel full, fiber keeps you regular and helps maintain the health of your GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

      Who should not take barley? ›

      Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity: The gluten in barley can make celiac disease worse. Avoid using barley. Allergies to cereal grains: Consuming barley might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to other cereal grains, including rye, wheat, oat, corn and rice.

      Can you soak barley in cold water? ›

      Pot barley is best when soaked overnight in cold water, then cooked in three parts liquid to one quantity of grain.

      What is the difference between pearl barley and barley? ›

      Hulled barley, considered a whole grain, has had just the indigestible outer husk removed. It's darker in color and has a little bit of a sheen. Pearled barley, also called pearl barley, is not a whole grain and isn't as nutritious. It has lost its outer husk and its bran layer, and it has been polished.

      Can I drink barley juice twice a day? ›

      There is no need for you to take other supplement because barley grass provides the wide range of essential nutrients and is so finely balanced. How to consume barley grass? It is advisable to consume 1teaspoon (3g) twice a day 30 minutes before a meal as barley grass works best on an empty stomach.

      Can you drink too much barley water? ›

      Unstrained barley water contains high levels of fiber. This can promote good digestion and gut health. However, if you consume too much of it, its fiber content can cause stomach cramps, constipation, bloating, and gas.

      How much water does barley need per day? ›

      During establishment (one- to four-leaf stage), cereal crops use very little moisture, usually less than two millimetres per day. By mid- to late-June barley uses about six millimetres per day. At the boot and heading stage, moisture use peaks at seven millimetres per day.

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