The benefits of germinated cereal grains have been known for a long time. Sprouted wheat is considered to be especially popular among adherents of a healthy lifestyle, however, recently, barley sprouts have become increasingly popular. After all, the seeds of this cereal contain a huge amount of useful components and are used not only as a source of micronutrients, but also to maintain beauty, as well as in the preparation of certain dishes and drinks.

Grain selection

The first thing to start the process of germinating barley at home is the choice of grains. The best option is to buy seeds in a specialized store of healthy nutrition. If this is not possible, then you can buy barley in the market, but in this case, you should carefully approach the purchase.

Did you know? Barley porridge familiar to everyone since childhood — nothing but barley grains, previously peeled and polished.

The ideal barley for germination should be harvested 2-3 months before use. Too young kernels sprout poorly due to the fact that the instinct of germination in them is not yet sufficiently developed. Seeds older than three months may be spoiled or ripe due to improper storage conditions.

For germination, unrefined seeds in a dense shell are suitable, without excess husks and debris. Do not buy barley intended for animal feed. Such a product is most often processed with special substances that prevent germination.

Germination conditions

In order to germinate seeds effectively, it is necessary to provide the seeds with suitable conditions. So, for soaking, you should use drinking water at room temperature. The tank with grain should be in a room with a temperature of + 16 ... + 18 ° C. At the beginning of the process, the humidity level should be low at about 40%, and with the appearance of the first signs of germination it should be increased to 50%.

The embryo of barley should develop gradually, in conditions as close to natural as possible. Only in this way can he make full use of all the vitamins and minerals from the mother’s grain.

Important! Many people think that at higher temperatures and humidity, the germination process will go faster. This is true, but the sprout stimulated in this way will not be fully saturated with useful substances.

Step-by-step process

Germination process itself is as follows:

1. Grain selection.
2. Garbage product cleaning. To do this, barley is poured with cool water and left for 30-40 minutes, after which the water, along with the debris that has surfaced and low-quality grains, is drained.
3. Disinfection. This is an important factor preventing the formation of mold on grains, which often harms the process of germination. For this, 30 drops of iodine or a solution of potassium permanganate are added to 10 liters of water. Pour the grain and leave for 3 hours, after which the liquid is drained.
4. Soak. The bottom of a plastic or glass container with a side height of 5–6 cm is lined with a dense layer of well-moistened gauze. A layer of grain is poured into a thickness of not more than 3 cm, covered with a second piece of wet gauze or cotton cloth.
5. Germination. Provide sprouts with the necessary temperature and humidity level. To preserve the latter, drying of grain and covering material should not be allowed by spraying seeds from a spray bottle.

How to store

Germinated barley is a perishable product. In its raw form, it is suitable for use no more than two days after germination. Moreover, the grain should be stored in the refrigerator. In this case, it makes sense to germinate the cereal in small portions in order to always have a fresh, healthy product on hand.

Sprouted barley seeds are used as malt, as well as for the preparation of salads, side dishes and baking. To do this, germinated grains need to be dried, and then stored in a sealed container in a dark, dry place.

Did you know? In ancient times, barley grains were considered a symbol of Upper Egypt.

Chemical composition and calorie content

Calorie content of germinated barley is quite high. The energy value of 100 g of the product is about 300 kcal. Of them:

• proteins - 5.6 g;
• fats - 1.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 31.2 g;
• dietary fiber - 8 g;
• water - 53 g.

At the same time, barley contains a large number of useful substances, such as:

• vitamin PP;
• vitamin H;
• Vitamin E
• vitamin B1;
• omega-3 fatty acids;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• copper;
• zinc;
• selenium;
• calcium;
• boron;
• magnesium;
• chlorine;
• potassium;
• sulfur.

In addition, the product contains a lot of plant proteins and fiber.

What is beneficial for the body

• The useful qualities of germinated barley can hardly be overestimated:
• Due to its high magnesium content, barley prevents the development of diabetes.
• The vitamins and minerals contained in the culture increase immunity.
• Iron helps maintain hemoglobin at the right level and prevents the development of anemia.
• Phenolic compounds perfectly reduce the risk of oncology.
• Copper neutralizes free radicals and helps accelerate cell regeneration. Also, the substance provokes the production of collagen, which, in turn, facilitates the course of a disease such as arthritis, and prevents the occurrence of osteoporosis.
• The plant fibers contained in the product are indispensable for losing weight, as they give a feeling of fullness for a long time.
• Fiber has a healing effect in hormonal disorders, and also normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Did you know? Scientists have proved that the inclusion of germinated barley grains in the diet reduces allergy symptoms and is very useful for people suffering from such an unpleasant disease as diathesis.

The fair sex is well aware of the rejuvenating properties of the culture and actively use it in skin and hair care procedures.

How to use

Barley sprouts can be used in pure form or as an additive in salads, side dishes and meat dishes. In addition, in pharmacies you can find plant extract, which manufacturers offer in liquid or powder form. It is often prescribed to combat boils, acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin diseases.

Mistresses who prefer to cook healthy food often use sprouted barley to make healthy bread and desserts. For this, the sprouted grains are dried to hardness at a temperature of + 50 ... + 55 ° C, and then crushed in a mortar or coffee grinder.

Consumption per day

As with any product, barley sprouts should not be overdone. To maintain the normal functioning of the body, the beauty of hair and skin, take no more than one tablespoon per day. This is best done in the morning on an empty stomach. So the body makes the best use of the nutrients contained in the grains and will receive a large amount of energy.

Why else can you use germinated barley

From flour made from a sprouted product, excellent baking is obtained, which, in addition to having excellent taste, also retains a maximum of useful properties. Barley flour is best used in a company with wheat. This is due to the fact that wheat flour has a large amount of gluten, which is necessary for high-quality dough.

Important! Do not include sprouted seeds in the menu of children under 12 years old. This may not have the best effect on the developing digestive system of the child.

Sprouted cereals are widely used by winemakers to create barley malt.. In the process of fermentation, the starch in the sprouted grain undergoes a saccharification procedure, due to which they obtain the alcohol necessary in the production of home-made beer, cider and moonshine. Barley broth is widely used in the treatment of cough and sore throat.

Possible harm and contraindications

• Like any product, germinated barley has some contraindications for use. They are as follows:
• Gluten intolerance.
• Flatulence.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Duodenal ulcer.
• Stomach ulcer.
• Intestinal colic.
• Exacerbation of cholelithiasis.
• Pancreatic inflammation.

Proper use of barley sprouts brings tangible benefits to a person and improves overall well-being. Everyone can choose for themselves in what form to include the product in their diet, the main thing is not to get carried away and follow the recommendations of specialists on its use.