Pearl Barley

Introduction

Pearl barley is one of the most popular and widely consumed grains in the world. The grain itself comes from a cereal grass, usually cultivated in temperate regions, and is believed to have been around for thousands of years. Though nowadays it’s often associated with meals like stews and porridge, pearl barley was once the staple food of many ancient cultures. There’s a lot of science and history behind how pearl barley is created and travels from the field to a dinner plate. This blog post will explain in detail the journey of pearl barley from the field to the dinner plate.

The Growing and Harvesting of Pearl Barley

Pearl barley is grown in temperate regions with climates that have warm summers and cold winters. It must be planted during the late spring in order to germinate properly, typically in May or June depending on the region. Once planted, it takes about a month for the barley to reach the “baby” stage and just over two months for it to reach maturity. During this time, the barley is kept well-watered and protected from pests, diseases, and extreme weather.

Once mature, the grain is harvested and placed in large bales. From here it is brought to a malt house, where the cleaning and milling process begins. The first step of this process involves removing any unwanted material such as dirt and rocks. This is done with a combination of screens and a grain cleaner. Once the grain has been cleaned, it is sent to a roller mill, where it is crushed and passed through adjustable-width plates to create pearl barley. The width of the plates is what gives pearl barley its distinctive shape.

During the milling process, the pearl barley is also sorted into different grades. Grade 1 is the most desirable, since it produces the highest quality pearl barley.

The Brewing of Pearl Barley

After milling, the pearl barley is shipped off to a brewery. This is where the mysterious process of converting the grain into malt begins. The first step of the process involves soaking the barley in water, which helps to provide the grain with the necessary moisture it needs to turn the starches inside the grain into sugars. This soak is typically carried out for around thirty-six hours at a temperature of 64 degrees Celsius.

After the soak, the barley is transferred to germination tanks. Here, the temperature is increased to 20 degrees Celsius and the barley is constantly aerated with carbon dioxide. After anywhere between three to five days, the enzyme level in the barley will have increased enough for it to be considered “malted”. Once the barley has been malted, it is taken to a kiln to be dried. During this phase, the barley is heated to a temperature between 55-65 degrees Celsius, which helps to stop the germination process.

The Making of Beer with Pearl Barley

Once the barley is fully cooked, it’s ready to be used to brew beer. The barley is first crushed, which helps to break down the grain and make it easier to malt. The mash is then transferred to a mash tun, where it is mixed with hot water. This mixture is called “wort”, and is used to extract sugars from the grain. The wort is then boiled and hops are added to give the beer its bitterness.

Once the wort has been boiled, it is cooled to a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or lower. Then, it is transferred to a fermenter, where yeast is added to cause fermentation. This fermentation is what creates the alcohol in beer. After fermentation, the beer is usually filtered and then bottled. The beer can be further aged and conditioned if desired, but this process is usually skipped when making beer with hulled barley.

The End Product

The process of creating pearl barley is quite complex, but the end result is a highly nutritious and delicious grain that can be used in a variety of meals. Pearl barley is a great source of iron, calcium, and dietary fiber, and is also known to be lower in gluten than other grains. It can be used in soups, salads, stews, curries, pilafs, and risottos, making it a very versatile grain for your culinary needs.

Conclusion

Pearl barley is an ancient yet nutritious grain that is enjoyed all over the world. The science behind its journey from the field to a dinner plate is very intricate and involved. This blog post has taken a detailed look at how pearl barley is grown, harvested, and processed to make the yummy products found in grocery stores today. So next time you’re cooking up a delicious pearl barley recipe, remember all the physics, biology, chemistry, and history that went into creating such a wonderful grain.