Oh, the corny puns I could come up with. But I won’t: Suffice it to say that this is Corn Week at @WaPoFood — a fount of stories, videos, recipes, photos, factoids, a quiz and more about America’s favorite grain.
(I interrupt this announcement to call your attention to the fact that entries are now being accepted for this year's Top Tomato recipe contest! See this for details!)
Got corn questions? You're sure to find answers during today's Free Range chat, when our special guests will be Pati and Tamar. It starts at noon and lasts for just one hour, so submit your queries or comments early. As always, leftover questions become my property. Here's one that we didn't have time to answer during last week's chat:
I bought bulk barley in a bag, and it looks different from the kind I usually buy, in a box. I’m guessing one is pearled and the other is hulled, but I don’t know which is which. How do I know, how do I cook them, and can I use them the same way regardless of the pearled/hulled situation?
Chewy, nutlike, nutritious barley is most often sold in pearled form, which is probably what’s in those boxes you’ve been buying. Your bulk barley, I’ll bet, is the hulled kind. We’ll start with that.
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. It has a lighter, more matte appearance. You can see the difference clearly in the photo above. (The hulled barley is at left.)
Both usually are prepared by boiling on the stove top. Hulled barley takes an hour or longer to cook, whereas the pearled kind cooks in about 45 minutes. You can mostly use them interchangeably, but you need to pay attention to the other ingredients in your recipe to make sure they aren’t under- or overcooked if you have changed the type of barley.
Most recipes that call for barley specify the pearled kind. I know that's true, but still I was surprised when I searched our own Recipe Finder for barley recipes. Of the more than 30, exactly one — Hulled Barley With Carrots, Raisins and Walnuts — calls for the hulled kind that you bought.
Still, as I said before, most of the time you can substitute one kind for the other. So in that spirit, below is a sampling of barley recipes that will still welcome your bulk-bag purchase.
Because of its hearty flavor and texture, barley seems more suited to cold-weather dishes than to warm-weather ones, so for some of these, you might want to wait until fall. And you can: Store your hulled barley in an airtight container, preferably in the refrigerator, and it should be fine for at least six months.
FAQs
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.
How to tell if barley is pearled or hulled? ›
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.
What does pearled barley look like? ›
Pearl Barley (not a whole grain)
If it's lightly pearled, pearl barley will be tan colored (top photo); if it's heavily pearled, barley will be quite white (bottom photo). Most of the barley found in the typical supermarket is pearl barley.
What is the difference between hulled barley and unhulled barley? ›
Hulled and hulless are two forms of whole grain barley. Hulled barley goes through little processing with only the outer hull removed and is the most nutritious. With hulless barley, the hull is loosely connected and usually falls off aft er being harvested.
Which is healthier, pearled or hulled barley? ›
However, the more commonly available pearled barley is not a whole grain because the fiber-containing bran has been removed. Though pearled barley is still a good source of some nutrients, hulled barley is the healthier option.
Should hulled barley be soaked before cooking? ›
Do you have to soak barley before cooking? Pearl barley does not need to be soaked prior to cooking because it cooks quickly. Hulled barley benefits from soaking in water for a few hours before cooking. However, you should still budget more time for the hulled grain to cook (about 35 to 40 minutes).
Should pearl barley be chewy? ›
Once the barley has cooked fully, it will be soft yet chewy. Overcooked barley will become mushy, while undercooked may have a thicker and chewier texture. You can make barley as a side dish, but you can also cook it into your food.
What aisle is pearl barley in? ›
Pot and pearl barley can be found in most grocery stores near the dried beans section. If you can't find whole grain barley, barley flakes or barley flour at the grocery store, try a bulk or health food store.
Should you rinse pearl barley before cooking? ›
As with most grains, it is a good idea to rinse pearl barley before cooking with it — particularly if adding straight to a soup or a stew. Cooking can be accelerated by using a pressure cooker. But the most common method is to add the grains straight to a broth or stew.
Can you eat unhulled barley? ›
Unhulled Barley is truly a whole grain. Joseph's Grainery Unhulled Barley is edible, it just needs to be soaked for 24 hours prior to cooking. There are many uses for Unhulled Barley. If you're looking to sprout barley, this is the barley you will need.
Shelf Life and Storage Tips
Hulled barley, with its retained bran layer and germ, offers not only nutritional benefits but also a robust structure that resists spoilage. Under proper storage conditions, hulled barley maintains its quality and edibility for an extended period, making it a reliable pantry staple.
What are the side effects of hulled barley? ›
Side effects might include gas, bloating, and an unpleasant taste. Some people might also be allergic to barley. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if barley is safe. Allergic skin reactions are possible.
Does barley need to be hulled? ›
Most barley has a tough indigestible hull that tightly surrounds the kernel. This hull must be removed before eating. The fastest method to eliminate the hull is to scrape (pearl), which also removes most of the outer bran.
What does hulled barley look like? ›
Hulled barley is made up of grains that have only had their outer husks removed, which are indigestible. Hulled barley has a darker and slightly tan color. Pearl barley grains have had both their outer husks and bran layers removed. Additionally, pearl barley is typically lighter in color compared to hulled barley.
Is barley healthier than oatmeal? ›
In fact, barley contains about three times as much fiber per serving as oats. Barley is particularly rich in a type of soluble fiber known as beta glucan, which is recognized for its cholesterol-lowering abilities. Barley is also a good or excellent source of several vitamins and minerals.
Is barley healthier than rice? ›
Farro and barley, being whole grains, contain more fiber and health benefits than white pasta or white rice. Barley and farro are similar in that they are high in fiber and also contain protein. Fiber content allows barley and farro to play a role in lowering cholesterol and strengthening the immune system.
How do you identify barley? ›
Plant Characteristics:
The upper leaf is close to the spike. The sheath is smooth and striate. Barley has large auricles which tend to clasp or overlap. The ligules are short and membrane-like.
Is unhulled barley safe to eat? ›
Unhulled Barley is truly a whole grain. Joseph's Grainery Unhulled Barley is edible, it just needs to be soaked for 24 hours prior to cooking. There are many uses for Unhulled Barley.
How long does it take for pearl barley to soften? ›
Pot or pearl barley can be used to bulk up soups and stews, or made into a salad for a substantial main meal, or it can be used in place of arborio rice in risotto. Pearl barley cooks to al dente in boiling, salted water in around 25 minutes, or around 40 minutes at a low simmer.
Is pearl barley meant to be crunchy? ›
Pearl barley has seen a big revival recently thanks to its high nutritious value and crunchy texture. It is most often cooked in stocks or soups, where it absorbs all the flavours from the liquid. This means that the taste of the grain largely depends on what it's cooked in.
