Barley

Botanical Name: Hordeum Vulgare
Cultivation: Full sun in average soil

Barley grass is one of the green grass-the only vegetation on the earth that can supply sole nutritional support from birth to old age. Astounding amounts of vitamins and minerals are found in green barley leaves. The leaves have an ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. It also contains a glucan, a fiber reported to reduce cholestrol level. The root contains the alkaloid hordenine, which stimulates peripheral blood circulation.


Drying of Barley
If grain is harvested at high moisture content to reduce harvest losses or because of wet weather, it needs to be artificially dried for safe storage. There are two basic types of drying barley:

Natural Air Drying
In the process the grain is dried slowly in storage over a period of 3 to 6 weeks. Grains are pushed in a bin. Grains at the bottom dries up fast but grains at the top needs airflow. Slowly all the grains get dried up.

High Temperature Drying
Large volume of air is heated to high temperature, this dried the grains in few hours. In between the process the temperature is reduced to avoid loss of starch quality. Grain needs to be cooled soon after high temperature drying. To reduce stress cracking, one can unload grain while its still hot and then cool it slowly.

Uses
Barley adds a nice texture to any dried flower arrangement. It is used as flavorings and sweeteners. It can also be ground and used in flours to make breads, soups, stews, sauces and cakes. It has some non-edible uses also. It is used for bedding in livestock, paper, newsprint, paints and biodegradable products. It is also used medicinally as a bulking agent to promote bowel regularity.