By Shreya Goswami
Barley is an ancient, nutrient-dense whole grain that is the perfect summer superfood. Here are all the tips you need to cook barley perfectly at home.
Hulled barley is better suited to salads and dry dishes, pearl barley is better for soups and risottos.
Rinsing the barley grains thoroughly and repeatedly gets rid of contaminants, pesticides and dirt.
Soaking barley grains overnight can help the water penetrate the grains better, though adding salt is optional.
The grain-to-water ratio for barley is 1:3, meaning you need 3 cups of water for 1 cup of barley.
Add salt, bay leaves and whole spices in the barley cooking water or cook the grains in stock.
Let the cooked barley come to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container for 3-4 days.