Pearled Barley

Pearled Barley

Pearl barley, or pearled barley, is barley that has been polished to remove its outer hull and some or all of the bran layer. Therefore it is not considered a whole grain.

It is the most common form of barley for human consumption because it cooks faster and is less chewy than other, less-processed forms of the grain. Pearl barley is similar to wheat in its caloric, protein, vitamin and mineral content, though some varieties are higher in lysine. It is used mainly in soups, stews, and potages.