Sakuraco Logo
snack box
お菓子の箱について
subscription
pricing
about us
私たちについて
subscribe
購入する
account menu button
Sakuraco Logoaccount menu button
snack box
お菓子の箱について
subscription
pricing
about us
私たちについて
subscribe
購入する
Top StoriesNewsFood & Drink
Food & Drink
Top Stories
News
Food & Drink
search

pearl barley

Pearl Barley: The Best Multipurpose Ingredient!

Karina Ikedo

Karina Ikedo

Share:

A scoop and a bowl of pearl barley.

Pearl barley is often used in skincare products, especially in Japan. But it didn’t just come out of nowhere. It’s been used for thousands of years as decorative beads and for medicinal purposes. Today, it’s a popular health food across Asia, often found in soups, porridge, drinks, and desserts. But there’s more. Let’s see why this tiny grain has been a favorite with health food enthusiasts and J-Beauty skincare lovers. Here’s everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind grain.

What is pearl barley?

It is known worldwide by many names, including pearl barley, hatomugi, Job’s tears, adlay millet, coix seed, and jali-jali. Pearl barley comes from a cereal plant native to Southeast Asia that produces these edible, ivory, bead-like seeds. The edible part is its soft-hulled grain, which is dried before being sold. There’s another hard-shell variety that’s used to make jewelry.

A bag and a scoop of pearl barley.
Despite its appearance, it’s not related to wheat. Image via Shutterstock

Despite the name pearl barley used in Asian supermarkets, it’s not a barley. Although pearl barley and barley are both grains, pearl barley has a much larger and rounder grain. Beyond its role as a food, the plant has long been a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This unique grain gained international popularity as a health food.

Hatomugi in Tea

A glass of hatomugi tea.
Hatomugi tea has an earthy taste. Image via Shutterstock

In Japan, roasted kernels are brewed into pearl barley tea. With the chai latte’s creamy disposition and oatmeal’s toasted flavor, there’s a comforting familiarity to hatomugi tea. The flavor is heavenly, roasted, toasted, nutty, like puffed rice cereal, but with a natural sweetness. It leaves a warm, sweet taste like slightly burnt hay in the mouth. Enjoy this tea’s unique aroma and reap the benefits of its medicinal qualities in every cup. It supports the urinary tract, cools the body, and treats inflammation. This tea is the perfect way to unwind after a long day!

Hatomugi in Skincare

Hatomugi is considered a miracle grain for the skin. It is a skincare ingredient today thanks to its vitamin and antioxidant content. Frequently featured in J-Beauty and K-Beauty brightening skincare products, hatomugi has an impressive ability to reverse hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

A har of cold cream near a wheat field.
Pearl barley is a common ingredient in skincare. Image via Shutterstock

It also helps the skin to retain moisture and maintain the barrier function. It also protects the skin from dryness and external skin troubles, such as rough skin and excessive sebum secretion. Because of this, we will likely see even more skincare products with hatomugi in the future. If you suffer from damaged skin, uneven skin, or dark spots, hatomugi may be worth trying now!

Are you looking to explore more of what Japan can offer you? Then try Sakuraco! Sakuraco sends authentic Japanese tea, sweets, and snacks right to your door so you can enjoy the best of Japan’s ingredients in the comfort of your home.

Hatomugi in Cooking

Hatomugi is incredibly delicious and nutritious. One thing you need to be aware of, though, is that pearl barley takes much longer to cook than rice. Therefore, you will need to consider this when planning your meals. An alternative to rice and pasta, barley can add texture to broths and stews. Packed with fiber, pearl barley can be used in soups, salads, or porridge with baked apples. 

A bowl of cooked hatomugi.
Hatomugi is a great substitute for rice! Image via Shutterstock

It soaks up the flavor from spices, so the taste of your culinary experiment is sure to be good. These plump pearls have a rich nut-like flavor and yield a velvety texture, leaving you feeling full. The versatile gems are a good source of selenium, a disease-fighting compound that enhances the mood. It’s an ingredient also used in traditional Japanese food and drinks.

The gentle flavor of the grain is endlessly adaptable. Pearl barley is a great buffer to more robust flavors, so don’t be afraid to serve it alongside punchy ingredients. It’s best to buy pearl barley in bulk as you can cook so many interesting things with it. It always pays to have some barley in your pantry. It can be stored for many months as long as you keep it dry.

Why should I try pearl barley?

Pearl barley is a well-loved grain, traditionally used to add bulk and comforting flavor to stews and broths. Pearl barley may also aid in skin brightening and reducing dark spots by regulating the skin’s melanin production. As a native plant to tropical parts of Asia, it has been used for thousands of years and has become an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s growing fashionable among the health-food crowd for being gluten-free and an alternative grain. Have you tried pearl barley before? What is your favorite use of this holy grail ingredient? Let us know in the comments below!

Enjoy new Japanese sweets, snacks & tea every month

Discover authentic flavors with Sakuraco

Enjoy new Japanese sweets, snacks & tea every month $32.50 USD

Get Sakuraco package

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

A platter of kaiseki cuisine from Kumamoto.

Kumamoto Food: Five Great Dishes to Try!

Whether exploring Kumamoto Castle or soaking in hot springs, sampling this prefecture’s signature dishes is essential to the experience!  

December 09, 2024
A bowl of mamegashi, similar to Japanese peanuts, in a bowl.

Japanese Peanuts and Beans: The Wonders of Mamegashi!

Japanese snacks, including wagashi (traditional sweet) and Japanese peanuts, hold a special place in the country’s culture.

December 06, 2024
The inside of Seki Seika Confectionery, as featured on Jun's Kitchen.

A Sweet Journey with Jun’s Kitchen: Exploring Traditional Japanese Confectionery

Recently, the webseries “Jun’s Kitchen” highlighted Seki Seika Confectionery (関製菓本舗), a family-run workshop known for its century-old commitment to crafting high-quality Japanese sweets.

December 06, 2024
An assortment of kohakutou, with a large piece of pink candy in the middle.

Kohakutou: The Beautiful Crystal Jelly

Kohakutou has taken the culinary world by storm. Made from agar and sugar, this sweet is known for its jewel-like appearance. Its unique combination of a crunchy outer layer and soft interior makes it a delightful treat!

December 05, 2024
Footer background patternFooter background pattern
Sakuraco
Subscription & gifts
PricingUpcoming Month’s BoxPast Month’s Box
Today's Offer
Personal GiftCorporate Gift
Support & Information
FAQContact UsCompare to Bokksu

Be the first to know!

Join our newsletter and receive tasty news and deals

AnIchigo Logobrand.
Copyright © 2024 Sakuraco™. All Rights Reserved.

Accepted Payments

Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available