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Barley, characterised as a key member of cereal grains, is mostly found in the northern part of India. Cooked barley offers a satisfying chewable texture and a nutty flavour. Due to its versatility, you can use barley to either prepare savoury soups, salads, or healthy sweets as well.
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You should consider incorporating barley sweets into your diet, as barley itself has a nutty flavor that pairs well with sweet ingredients, and its ability to absorb flavours means it can take on a variety of delicious tastes. Plus, compared to regular sweets, barley offers a satisfying, chewy texture and can be a good source of fibre. This makes barley sweets more interesting and potentially a more nutritious way to indulge your sweet tooth.
Barley's ability to absorb flavours makes it a game-changer in the sweet world. Here are 7 types of barley sweets that are a must-try. While some are perfect for festive occasions, others can be perfect breakfast indulgence and after meal indulgence too.
Barley Kheer
This is a creamy pudding made with barley, milk, and jaggery or sugar and often flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Barley replaces rice, which is commonly used in preparing a traditional kheer. This dish is rich in dietary fibre and is a natural sweet help in digestion and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
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Barley Halwa
Barley halwa is a dense and nutty Indian dessert made with roasted barley flour, ghee, and a sweetener like sugar or jaggery. The flour is toasted until fragrant, then simmered in a creamy milk or water mixture until it thickens into a fudge-like consistency. Often flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts, it's a nutritious and delicious, sweet treat.
Barley Snack Bars
Power up your day with wholesome barley snack bars! Packed with fibre and goodness, these on-the-go bites are made with hearty barley for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for busy mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or pre-workout fuel, they'll keep you energised and ready to tackle anything. Enjoy them straight from the wrapper, or pair them with your favourite nut butter or yoghurt for an extra flavour boost.
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Barley Payasam
Barley payasam is a creamy Indian pudding that's lighter than halwa. Packed with chewy pearl barley, it's simmered in coconut milk and flavoured with fragrant cardamom. Sweetened with jaggery or sugar, this payasam offers a delightful textural contrast and a touch of healthy goodness in every bite.
Barley Burfi
Barley burfi is a delightful Indian sweet that packs a nutritional punch. Unlike halwa, it's cut into squares for a chewy, fudge-like texture. Made with roasted barley flour, ghee, and a sweetener, it's often flavoured with saffron or cardamom for a touch of luxury. Unlike payasam, burfi is denser and richer, making it a perfectly portioned sweet treat. Plus, barley's high fibre content keeps you feeling satisfied and can aid digestion.
Barley Laddu
Barley laddu is a power-packed, bite-sized take on barley sweets. Unlike halwa and payasam, which are soft and scoopable, laddu is formed into round balls for convenient and mess-free consumption. Made with roasted barley flour, nuts, seeds, and a natural sweetener like jaggery, laddu boasts a delightful textural contrast – crunchy nuts against the soft, chewy barley base. Packed with protein and fibre from barley, it's a healthy and satisfying way to indulge your sweet tooth.
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Barley-Coconut Pudding
Barley's nutty flavour and the sweet, tropical taste of coconut come together in this creamy, soothing delicacy called coconut-barley pudding. The barley has a chewy texture that complements the smooth coconut milk after being boiled until it is completely soft. It can be eaten warm or cold, depending on the recipe; some varieties add raisins, nuts, or spices like cardamom and cinnamon to the mix.
