Wholesale Barley grass

01.
Where in the World

habitat and range for barley grass

Hordeum leporinum is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. The species is a forage plant in the southern USSR, Argentina, and in portions of Australia. It is thought to have been introduced to North and South America, and to Australia, by the early nineteenth century. In North America, wild barley can be found from Maine and British Columbia to northern Mexico; it is absent in most midwestern states.

02.
A Bit of Botany

a bit of botanical information about barley grass

description
Hordeum leporinum is a many branched, spreading, or nearly prostrate vigorous Winter annual herb, 15 to 60 cm high. It is a monocot of the Poaceae family. The seed, carried in florets, breaks from the head in groups of three. This dispersal unit consists of a central, fertile floret and two lateral, sterile florets. The glumes of the central spikelet and the inner glumes of the lateral spikelets are more or less broadened and flattened with hairs along their margin. The floret of the central spikelet is on a pedicel usually as long as the pedicels of the lateral spikelets, but the awns of the central spikelet itself are shorter than the lateral awns. The awn is 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, stiffly erect and spreading. Within the spikelet, the anthers are 0.8 to 1.5 mm long with a strongly bilobed base.

common names
& nomenclature
The Old English word for 'barley' was bære, and is cognate to the Latin word farina "flour". The word barn, which originally meant "barley-house", is also rooted in this word.

Also known as:
farmer's foxtail, hare barley, foxtail barley, leporinum barley, mouse barley, and barley grass

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing barley grass

climate
Hordeum leporinum is highly adaptable and often found in temperate and adjacent subtropical areas, annual grasslands, oak savannah, open hillsides, agronomic crop fields, orchards, vineyards, landscaped areas, turf, managed forests, roadsides, unmanaged, disturbed sites, and moist sites.

soil
Hordeum leporinum grows in disturbed soil of roadsides, irrigation ditches, vacant lots, crop edges, and garbage areas, usually considered a weed pest. Can grow on a variety of soil types, from clay to well-drained soil.

growing
Hordeum leporinum is a vigorous winter annual. After flowering in the spring, the grass matures rapidly to produce a large number of viable seeds. These seeds easily disperse when the long awn attaches to stock and wildlife, and then to the soil. The majority of seeds remain dormant during the heat of the summer, not germinating until the autumn.

Sow seeds directly on outdoor soil, seeds can germinate easily when lying on or just below the soil surface in a variety of temperatures. Germination is usually within 12 days. A small proportion of seed may remain dormant, but viable, through the first growing season, insuring a seed source for the following year.

harvesting
Cut just above the soil when the Grass is 6 -14 inches. In commercial production, juice is extracted from the young leaf blades and dried, then ground into a powder.

preserving
Store ground powder in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

additional information

Barley grass provides a significant amount of fiber, including a water-soluble form known as beta-glucan. One of the greatest nutritional benefits of supplementing with barley grass is the fact that its nutrients are more bioavailable than other sources. For example, nutrients from many other sources must first undergo an enzyme conversion before they can be absorbed. In contrast, barley grass provides several enzymes and 18 amino acids, making this conversion unnecessary and nutrient absorption maximized.

Barley grass is also an excellent source of protein. In fact, the fresh juice contains up to 45% protein. However, being a non-animal source of protein, it is low in fat. Barley grass is also rich in iron, folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamins E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12. If that’s not impressive enough, then consider this: Barley contains 11 times more calcium and 30 times more vitamin B1 than cow’s milk, 5 times more iron than spinach, and about 7 times more vitamin C than an orange.

Barley grass powder is simple to add to recipes, if you are wanting to add grassy and slightly nutty flavors. Given the flavor, it is typically added to smoothies for added nutrition.

Can I use barley grass powder for malt drinks?

Yes, pewdered barley grass is high in Vitamin C, iron and minerals. Add it to smoothies, shakes, yogurt, soups and stews. The combination of barley grass and berries makes a wonderfully refreshing smoothie that can help you start your day brighter than ever. You can make it for breakfast, take it on the go on your way to work or even have it before your workout.