Cultivated Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Hordeum vulgare is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and can be used in making beer or other drinks, and as a nutritious sweetener in various foods. — Seed - cooked as a whole grain or ground up and used as a flour for making bread, porridges etc.; It has a low gluten content and so is unsuitable for making wheat-type breads.; The seed can be fermented into sourdough and many other fermented foods such as 'tempeh' and 'miso'.; The seed can also be sprouted and added to salads or the sprouted seed juiced and the juice drunk as a health-food drink.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in the wild, it is found in Britain as a relict of cultivation but does not persist. (Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)