How to Use Chinese Pearl Barley

Chinese pearl barley, also known as Job’s tears, is a healthy, versatile grain that can be used in many different recipes. However, before incorporating it into your recipes, you need to cook it first. Once it is cooked, you can use it in soup and salad recipes. You can also use it in place of hominy or any other type of grain in your favorite recipes. Additionally, use the leftover liquid from cooking the grain to make a refreshing drink that is often consumed in the summer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cooking the Barley

  1. Image titled Use Chinese Pearl Barley Step 1
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    Soak 1 cup (240 ml) of barley in water. Place the barley in a bowl or pot and add water. Make sure the water covers the barley completely. Let the barley soak in the water for 30 minutes to an hour. Then drain the water.
    • A cup (240 ml) of barley yields three cups (709.8 ml) of cooked barley.
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    2
    Bring 2 cups (475 ml) of water to a boil in a pot. Place the pot on the burner and turn the heat setting to medium-high. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the barley and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt. Use a spoon to mix the barley, salt, and water together. Then set the spoon aside and wait for the mixture to come to a rolling boil again.
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    Reduce the heat to a simmer. Then let the barley simmer for 30 minutes or until it is cooked through. Chinese pearl barley is plump and has a chewy, al dente texture once it is cooked.[1]
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    Remove it from the heat. Then drain the water. You can either throw out the water, or save it to make a broth or a refreshing drink later.
    • Do not rinse the barley again once it is cooked.
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    Store the barley. You can make Chinese pearl barley ahead of time and store it in the fridge for future meals. Place the barley in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a week.[2]
    • If you made a large batch, you can store a portion in the freezer for up to a month.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Incorporating It into Recipes

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    Add it to soups. Chinese pearl barley is a great addition to chicken, pork, beef, and coconut soups. But it is not limited to these types of soups. You can add it to any soup of your liking.[3]
    • For example, you can replace the rice in chicken tortilla soup with Chinese pearl barley.
    • Additionally, you can add Chinese pearl barley to bean and vegetable soups.
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    Incorporate it into salads. Adding Chinese pearl barley to salads is a great way to turn your salad into a hearty salad. Just add the barley to your favorite salad and enjoy.
    • For example, add Chinese pearl barley to an avocado salad.
    • Additionally, add it to a chicken, corn, and lettuce salad.
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    Use it in place of other grains. Replace grains like hominy, rice, and regular barley with Chinese pearl barley. Simply replace the grain in your favorite recipe with Chinese pearl barley.
    • For example, make pozole with Chinese pearl barley instead of hominy.
    • You can also make mushroom barley soup with Chinese pearl barley instead of regular barley.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making Barley Water

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    Rinse 1 cup (240 ml) of barley. Then soak it in 1 liter (4 cups) of water for one to two hours in a pot. Once it is done soaking, transfer the pot to the stove and turn on the heat to medium-high.[4]
    • Make sure to use a cooking pot, or transfer the contents to a cooking pot after the barley has finished soaking.
    • Do not drain the water that is used to soak the barley. Use this water to cook the barley as well.
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    2
    Bring the water and barley to a boil. Once the contents reach a rolling boil, reduce the heat. Let the contents simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until it is cooked through.[5]
    • You do not need to cover the pot with a lid while it is simmering.
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    Strain the liquid into a pitcher. Then add sugar or honey to taste. You can also add the juice of 1 lemon and/or 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of chopped mint leaves to add flavor. Serve hot or chilled.[6]
    • Store any unused liquid in the fridge for up to three days.
    • Additionally, store the cooked barley in the fridge to use in recipes or to eat as is.
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.homemade-chinese-soups.com/chinese-pearl-barley.html
  2. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/jobs-tears-grain-recipes
  3. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/jobs-tears-grain-recipes
  4. ↑ http://www.mummyicancook.com/2012/09/old-fashioned-barley-water.html
  5. ↑ http://www.mummyicancook.com/2012/09/old-fashioned-barley-water.html
  6. ↑ http://www.mummyicancook.com/2012/09/old-fashioned-barley-water.html

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 16,074 times.
8 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: November 19, 2020
Views: 16,074
Categories: Chinese Dishes
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