Barley

Today there are about 136 million tons of barley produced in the world. Barley is among the first grain crops which was domesticated. Barley beer was probably among the first alcoholic drinks known to humans. It appeared during Neolithic times. Ancient Egyptian prepared bead and beer from barley. Ancient Israelis use to offer barley in their Temple for sacrifice.

In Ancient Greece barley was also a vital cereal, also used in some religious ceremonies. Ancient Rome cultivated barley for strong health, in particular the gladiators were called “barley-eaters”.

During the Middle Ages barley together with rye was used in bread baking by peasants, while wheat was used by the upper classes. Barley as food was later replaced by potato in villages by the 19th century.

Today the largest barley export goes from Russia. Ukraine occupies the 7th place in barley export volumes after Germany, France, Canada, Spain and Turkey.

Barley is easy to grow, because it is a widely adaptable crop. It can endure any climate and temperature fluctuations. It grows well both in arctic and tropic climate. Barley can cope with soil salinity unlike wheat, however barley can be sawn as winter crop in warmer climates only.

Barley is used not only for alcoholic drinks, but also for non-alcoholic drinks like barley tea (Japanese mugicha). In Italy barley is used as coffee substitute (caffè d’orzo or barley coffee).

Barley is high in protein, fiber, vitamins (A, beta-carotene, lutein zeaxanthin, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, choline, vitamin C and K, many minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc etc.

More than 70 % of the barley grown in Ukraine is used for animal food. Every year Ukraine produces about 10-12 million tons of barley, half of it goes nationwide and another half is exported.