Barley is a main ingredient of beer and can only be used to make beer when it has gone through the malting process. We take a look at some interesting facts about barley.
- The Latin name for Barley is Hordeum vulgare
- Barley is a member of the grass family and is a cereal grain that is self-pollinating
- Barley is one of the most significant and extensively consumed cereals produced in the world
- Barley was one of the first crops domesticated for human consumption
- Barley can grow in a variety of environmental conditions and is classified as winter or spring type (a winter type is planted in Autumn and need a cold period to flower where as a spring type does not and is planted in Spring)
- The height of a barley plant averages roughly eighty centimetres. However, it can differ significantly depending on the variety and growing conditions
- Barley can be categorised as six-rowed, four-rowed, or two-row:
- Two-row barley is traditionally used in English ale-style beers and traditional German beers, whereas six-row barley is common in some American lager style beers
- Four-rowed barley is unsuitable for brewing
- Two-row barley has a lower protein content and higher starch content than six-row barley
- High protein barley is best for malt that will be used to make beers with a great deal of adjunct content
- Barley is a very good source of fiber, selenium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese
