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Discover all the specifics about the barley box!
Table of Contents
1. Varieties of barley casks
Barley casks come in three varieties: barley cask, which are whole barley grains that have only been stripped of shells and polished; pearl cask, also known as Mazursk, which is a crushed cask - can be thick, medium, and fine depending on the degree of crushing; broken cask, also known as rural, which is also a crushed cask, with the difference that it is not polished, which means it retains more valuable ingredients.2. The nutritional value of barley groats
Barley groats are a source of fiber, similar to other grains, but the beta-glucan found in barley is a soluble fraction of fiber that can effectively reduce the concentration of so-called bad cholesterol. Due to the reduced absorption of cholesterol and fat from the food consumed and the increased excretion of cholesterol from the blood, the level of cholesterol in the blood does not rise. Beta-glucan also influences the blood sugar level, as together with a compound called arabinoxylans, which is also found in the blood vessels, they have a positive impact on the glucose metabolism. It also acts beneficially on the intestinal mucosa. Beta-glucan ferments under the influence of the intestinal flora in the last section of the digestive tract, resulting in short-chain fatty acids, which serve as food for the cells of the large intestine. A healthy intestine has a positive impact on the whole body, as 70% of the immune cells are located in the large intestine. The healthier the intestine, the better the immune system functions. Another benefit of barley groats is the presence of phytochemicals, which have an impact on lowering the cholesterol level in the blood. It is also a source of antioxidants, which have anti-allergic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. They influence the aging processes and the state of the blood vessels and muscles. As barley groats are a source of gluten, people with celiac disease should avoid consuming it. It is also not suitable for children under 10 months of age.3. How to prepare it for cooking?
Prior to cooking, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the grains. Subsequently, they should be covered with boiling water in a ratio of 1:2,5 (one portion of grains to 2.5 portions of water). In this manner, one obtains a satisfying dough. To achieve a sticky consistency, one should add 1 portion of grains to 3.5 portions of water. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the grains - the thicker they are, the longer they should be cooked. The maximum cooking time is 45-60 minutes. After cooking, the dough should be left covered for about 10 minutes.
