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About Barley
History of Barley
Barley was one of the
first cereal crops to be domesticated. Archaeologists
have found evidence in the Middle East that it was a staple food as long ago as 5,000 BC
or earlier.
 Barley
was a favourite grain of the ancient Egyptians, the Roman gladiators, and the seafaring
Vikings. Christopher Columbus brought barley
to North America from Europe in 1493 and it has been cultivated here ever since.
 Today
it is the world’s most important crop for feeding livestock. Barley is also used as food for people, and it's
used in beverage making and in industrial applications.
 Canada is one of the largest
barley producers in the world, with about 11 million tonnes produced annually. Barley is an important crop in Alberta, ranking
third after wheat and canola. In fact, about
half of all the barley grown in Canada is grown in Alberta
Types and
Uses of Barley
There are more than 50
different varieties of barley grown in Western Canada. Different
types are best for different uses. Primary
uses of barley (as grain, straw, and the whole plant) include:
Food
for people:
barley flakes: porridge, granola, muesli, cookies, muffins, desserts
barley bran: cereals
pearl and pot barley: salads, puddings, soups, stews, and casseroles
barley flour: muffins, cookies, pancakes, breads, pasta, biscuits, pizza crusts
Food for animals:
dairy and beef cattle (grain,
silage and straw)
hogs and chickens (grain)
Malted barley used in:
beer
flavourings and sweeteners
malt extracts and malt flour
Non-edible and industrial uses:
STRAW:
bedding for livestock
building construction:
bales used as building blocks
particle board, sub flooring,
wall and roof sheathing
paper and newsprint
STARCH:
paper coating and surface sizing
paints
paper starch-based detergents
bio-degradable plastics |
