Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates around the world. It was one of the first cultivated grains, domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC. This early cultivation gave barley nonshattering spikelets, which made it easier to harvest. From there, its use spread across Eurasia by 2000 BC.

Barley grows best in relatively low temperatures and well-drained soil. It can tolerate drought and soil salinity, though it is less winter-hardy than wheat or rye. In 2023, barley ranked fourth among grains in the amount produced, with 146 million tonnes harvested globally, following maize, rice, and wheat.

Most of the world's barley—about 70%—is used as animal feed. The remaining 30% is used to make beer and whisky, or to produce malt for foods like barley bread. In English folklore, John Barleycorn represents the grain and the drinks made from it, which is why some pub names include words like “Barley.”

Etymology

The Old English word for barley was bere, which is still used in parts of Scotland for a special kind of barley called bere. The word barley comes from an Old English word meaning "of barley." The word barn, a place to store grain, also has its roots in the word for barley. The scientific name for the barley plant comes from the Latin word hordeum, which is related to a word meaning "to bristle."

Description

Barley is a cereal from the grass family. It has special flower clusters called spikelets that grow in a herringbone pattern. Each spikelet has a long, thin awn, which makes the plant look tufted.

Scientists mapped out barley's genes in 2012. Its genes are arranged on seven pairs of nuclear chromosomes, plus one mitochondrial and one chloroplast chromosome.

Origin

Barley was one of the first grains to be farmed, beginning in the Fertile Crescent around 9,000 BC. This area, with plenty of water, helped barley grow well. Farming barley made it easier to harvest because its grains stayed together instead of scattering.

By 2,000 BC, barley had spread all over Eurasia. It grew in many places, from Finland to India and even Tibet. Barley was important in ancient cultures, used for food, drinks, and even as a symbol in myths. It became a key part of many early diets and traditions.

Taxonomy and varieties

Barley comes in different forms based on how its grains are arranged. Most common types are two-row and six-row barley. In two-row barley, only the middle grain in each cluster is full-sized, while in six-row barley, all three grains are full-sized. This difference is important for brewers who use these barleys to make beer.

Another special type is called hulless or "naked" barley, where the outer covering of the grain is easier to remove. This type has been used for a long time and is now being studied for new uses in food and animal feed. It can offer more protein and other helpful nutrients.

Production

In 2024, the world produced about 142 million tonnes of barley. Russia was the top producer, growing 12% of all the barley made that year. Other big producers included Australia, Germany, and France. Barley is the fourth most grown grain in the world, after maize, rice, and wheat.

Cultivation

Barley is a crop that grows best in cooler temperatures, around 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F), and in well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine. It is grown in many parts of the world, especially in temperate areas. Barley can survive with less water than many other crops and can tolerate salty soil better than most grains.

Traditionally, barley seeds were scattered by hand, but today they are usually planted using machines. As it grows, barley needs nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are often added as fertilizer. It must also be watched for pests and diseases. When barley is ready to harvest, its stems and ears turn yellow and droop. In the past, people harvested barley by hand with tools like sickles or scythes, but now machines called combine harvesters are commonly used.

Pests and diseases

Further information: List of barley diseases

Barley can face several pests and diseases that affect its growth. Common insect pests include aphids like the Russian wheat aphid, caterpillars from the armyworm moth, the barley mealybug, and wireworms, which are larvae of click beetles. While aphids usually cause minor damage, armyworms can consume entire leaves, and wireworms can harm young plants.

Barley is also prone to various fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf scald, and different types of rust, as well as bacterial and viral infections. These diseases can weaken the crop, so farmers work to develop resistant varieties to protect barley plants.

Food

Barley is a versatile grain used in many dishes around the world. After removing its outer husk, barley can be made into different forms such as pearl barley or barley meal. It is used in soups, stews, and porridges. In the Middle East, barley is a key ingredient in traditional foods like keşkek and murri. In Japan, barley is mixed with rice to make mugimeshi, and in Korea, it is used to make boribap, a type of barley rice.

Barley is nutritious, providing carbohydrates, protein, and important vitamins and minerals. It can help lower blood cholesterol and manage blood sugar levels, which is good for heart health. However, people with certain conditions like coeliac disease should avoid barley because it contains gluten.

Uses

Barley is an important ingredient in making beer and whisky. In places like Germany and England, a type of barley called two-row barley is used for beer. In the US, another type called six-row barley is often used. Barley is also the main grain used to make Scottish and Irish whisky.

Besides alcoholic drinks, barley is used to make nonalcoholic drinks too. For example, barley water and roasted barley tea are made by boiling barley in water. In Italy, roasted barley is sometimes used like coffee, called caffè d'orzo.

Most of the world’s barley, about 70%, is used as food for animals, especially for cattle in western Canada. Barley can also be placed in water to help prevent algae growth in ponds and gardens. Long ago, barley was even used as a way to measure length and as a form of money in ancient times.

Culture and folklore

Barley has played an important role in stories and traditions for many years. In old English tales and Norse myths, figures like Scyld Scefing and his son Beow are linked to barley. The famous writer J. R. R. Tolkien used this idea in his stories too.

In English folklore, a character named John Barleycorn represents barley and the beer made from it. Songs tell how John Barleycorn goes through the process of growing and being made into beer. Many old English pubs have names like The Barley Mow or John Barleycorn, showing how important barley was for making beer.