BARLEY
Barley cultivation most likely began at the same time as wheat. Barley has two advantages over wheat : a short growing season and extremely hardy nature. Flatbreads made from barley, a grain that has no gluten-forming proteins, were popular until the Roman era, when wheat was favored. During the Moddle Ages, especially in the Scandinavian countries, barley was a staple food of the lower classes. In Middle Eastern countries today, barley is still widely used. Western countries use barley primarily as animal feed and to make malt-pulverized,sprouted grain. Malted grain contains more of an enzyme that converts starch to sugar ang is used to supplement wheat flour to ensure, to transform grain mashes into beer or liquor.
Barley is available in a number of forms for use in soups, pilafs, and breads. Hulled berley has been husked, but retains most of its bran; it is the most nutritious form of barley. Scotch or pot barley is triple-polished to remove the bran (and many of its nutrients). Pearled barley is polished even more and in the process loses not only its bran but its germ as well. Most of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber are also removed by this point. Barley flakes are made from the flattened whole seed and used like rolled oats. Barley flour is available in a range of whole-grain composition; whole-grain barley flour has a darker color and pronounced nutty flavor.