Whole Grains

Barley Types: Hulless, Hulled and Pearl Barley

Barley is available mainly in 3 forms:

  1. Hulless Barley.
  2. Hulled Barley.
  3. Pearl Barley.

Hulless barley

Hulless Barley

Hulless barley is a whole grain. It is the most minimally processed form of barley. In this form, the inedible outer layer (the hull or shell) is loosely attached to kernels and naturally falls off during harvesting. There is no further processing required to remove the hull in this form. Its bran and endosperm layers are intact.

Hulless barley is considered the healthiest form of barley.

Hulled Barley

Hulled Barley

Hulled barley is also a whole grain. It is the least processed form of barley. Its inedible outer layer (called the hull layer) has been removed. But its bran and endosperm layers might remain intact.

Hulled barley is healthier than pearl barley. Cooking hulled barley takes more time than pearl barley.

Pearl Barley

Pearl Barley

Pearl barley is a processed and polished form of barley. The fibrous outer hull and bran layers have been removed in this form. Some parts of the endosperm layer are also removed.

Pearl barley is the least healthy form of barley. It is not recommendable in a whole-food plant-based diet. Cooking pearl barley is easier than hulled barley.

But if you choose pearl barley over white rice, it will be considered the better choice. Pearl barley contains 1/3rd of the caloric value of white rice.

Barley contains gluten. If you are looking for gluten-free grains, millets are the best choice, and brown, black and red rice are better.

Difference between Pearl and Hulled Barley

Pearl BarleyHulled Barley
Hulled layer removedHulled layer removed.
Bran layer removedBran layer intact
Some parts of the endosperm layer removedEndosperm layer intact
Easier to cookHard to cook
Less chewyChewier
Less proteinMore protein
Less fibreMore fibre
More carbsFewer carbs
Less potassiumAlmost double potassium content
Less ManganeseMore Manganese
Less MagnesiumMore Magnesium

Sub-types of Hulless, Hulled & Pearl Barley

Some other forms are also available in the market.

Barley Grits

Barley Grits

Cutting barley kernels into several pieces makes barley grits. It can be whole grain if obtained from hulless or hulled barley. It is not considered a whole grain if obtained from pearl barley.

Barley Flakes

Barley Flakes

Barley flakes are like rolled oats or oatmeal. It can be whole grain if obtained from hulless or hulled barley. It is not considered a whole grain if obtained from pearl barley.

The process to make barley flakes include:

  1. Steaming kernels.
  2. Rolling.
  3. Drying.

It is prepared by steaming kernels then rolling and drying them. You can quickly cook barley flakes than other forms of barley.

Barley Flour

Barley Flour

Barley flour is the ground form of barley. Barley flour is similar to wheat flour. It can be whole grain if obtained from hulless or hulled barley. It is not considered a whole grain if obtained from pearl barley.

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Dr. Jagdev Singh

Dr. Jagdev Singh is a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist with B.A.M.S. and M. Sc. in Medicinal Plants. He has a wealth of experience in using Ayurveda to treat patients, including the use of herbal medicine and personalized Ayurvedic diets. His passion for spreading accurate and scientific information about Ayurveda and Medicinal Plants led him to create Ayur Times, a trusted resource for those seeking reliable information on the topic. Through his dedicated work, Dr. Singh has helped thousands of patients find relief and improve their health with Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine.
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