Barley is one of the oldest of all cultivated grains. It still forms a fundamental part of everyday diet in Eastern Europe,The Middle East and Asia. Barley was quite a oft welcomed guests at my home where my mother insisted on drinking Barley water. She esp. recommended it to anyone with urinal infection.

I have this recipe in my cookbook - Lemon Barley Water which is a slight variation to our regular Barley water making it more tasty. I do make once in a while esp after long trips when we eat too much outside food. The fiber in the barley may help to prevent constipation and digestive problems. Skip the lemon juice and the zest to make the traditional version of it.

  • Cook time:
  • Serves: 3 people
Ingredients
  • 1 cup pearl barley
  • about 6-8 cups,water
  • grated rind of lemon
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • juice of 2 lemons
Method
1. Wash the barley in plenty of water, then add it in a heavy saucepan with the water.
2. Bring to a boil,then reduce heat and simmer gently for 20-30min, skimming of any scum from time to time.
3. Remove the pan from heat and add lemon rind,sugar to the pan and stir well. Let it cool.Strain and add the lemon juice.

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15 Comments

By Kalpana on Nov 14, 2014

Thanks for the barley recipiSee.It is a Very good health grain.

By Muslimah on May 4, 2012

@Sukanya You can cook porridge. I add some milk to the grains and sugar to the taste if required. Thanks for the recipe.

By Sukanya Karthick on Jan 5, 2010

Hey!! I loved your blog. Just read your barley water recipe. Here's a slightly off-question. What do you do with the cooked barley after you've made the barley water? Any recipes using that too?

I use it as a replacement for rice - mix it with few vegetables and enjoy by way of pilaf. To get an idea, you can refer to this recipe here :http://chefinyou.com/2009/09/barley-risotto-recipe/. Hope this helps :) --DK

By Vinolia on Jul 22, 2009

thanks for this recipe, barley seems to have so many health virtues, glad I found a nice recipe here.

By Dhivya on Dec 10, 2007

Sure Priya..More coming up in the coming days :)

Hi Anon,

Sure u get Barley in US. I think u get it in normal shopping stores like Safeway etc..But Whole Foods would be a sure bet! It has almost all the types of Grains.

Thanks Seema :)

By Seema on Nov 30, 2007

Yup this ones healthy....Nice step by step photos!

By Anonymous on Nov 30, 2007

Is Barley available in US. Where can I buy it?

By Priya on Nov 30, 2007

The only time I had anything to do with barley was when I had jaundice !..hehe..what a sad memory for such a healthy grain. Please do share other ways of cooking them.

By Dhivya Karthik on Nov 29, 2007

Thanks Suganya :)

Am waiting to see urs Bee..:)

Wow thank u lathamma- u jus made my day..Yes Barley is so good for our health - thats why I started it with it..am waiting for your recipe with it :)

Thanks Siri :) - actually I was not a fan of barley water that much...this one actually made me want more:)

Do try Kribha..am sure u will like it

Hey thanks Red chillies...am so glad to read that..If u luv barley water, u will luv it 10 times more with this one..try it

By Red Chillies on Nov 29, 2007

Wow, you now have the honor or coining a word too "Reciplicity" ?Love your step by step pictures and procedures, it is very useful. I love barley water too, but never had it with lemon rind. Great idea!

By Kribha on Nov 29, 2007

I don't know hy my mom never gave this to me. Sounds like a very healthy drink. Thanks for sharing.

By Siri on Nov 29, 2007

I like ur RSVP series idea Dhivi! and what an awesome drink to kick start!

~ Siri

By Latha Narasimhan on Nov 29, 2007

Rsvp is a nice idea! :) Barley water is very goos for preventing kidney and urinarey problems! My patti used to make it every day and she stayed healthy till 90!
Other than that I just use it for sathumaavu!

I liked your innovative series and would try and post some thing on the grain you mention in your blog! :)

By bee on Nov 29, 2007

hmmm... i made the same thing. will post it next week. love your step-by-step recipes.

By Suganya on Nov 29, 2007

Lovely photos, DK. Eagerly expecting to learn more form your series.