About barley
Chinese barley (job tears) and pearl barley. The fried version is toasted first, which gives the drink a nuttier taste and a clearer colour. This pack is 500 g net. At the quantities below that is about 8 pots.
Also known as pearl barley, job tears, yi mi, chinese barley, 薏米, coix seed.
Images are for reference only. The actual product may vary slightly from the images shown.
What people use it for
Boiled into barley water with rock sugar and beancurd skin, cooked into porridge, or added to a savoury soup.
How to prepare it
Rinse, then simmer 60 g in 1.5 litres of water for 45 minutes to an hour. Sweeten at the end. Soaking an hour first shortens the boil.
Keeping it
Airtight and dry. Grains attract weevils in an open bag.
Questions people ask
Is Chinese barley the same as pearl barley?
No. Chinese barley is job tears - larger, rounder and chewier. Pearl barley is the smaller wheat-family grain. Both are used for barley water and many people mix them.
Why the fried version?
Toasting makes the drink nuttier and less starchy. It is a taste preference, not a different grain.
How far does this pack go?
At the quantity in the instructions above, about 8 pots from this pack.