by As more people strive to eat healthier, barley is fast becoming a popular staple in many homes and kitchens. Barley is a whole-grain cereal that can be added to give a unique texture to soups, stews, salads, and other dishes. This healthy grain contains numerous vitamins and minerals, needed for all-around wellness.
However, barley is not as popular as other grains such as oats, so people often have difficulty finding it at grocery stores. In this shopping guide, we would point you to the aisles to check for barley and share a list of stores that carry the product. Keep reading!
What Aisle Is Barley Located In Grocery Stores?
Barley is a versatile ingredient, as such, there are a couple of different locations where it could be stocked at grocery stores. Check out the sections below, before any others.
1. Grains Aisle
Barley is a grain, so it’s only natural that most grocery stores would stock the product here. Head over to the grains aisle, and check the racks where rice and beans are kept. You will most likely find barley there.
2. Breakfast/Cereal Aisle
It is very common to find barley in the breakfast aisle of some grocery stores. Quick Barley is the type mostly stocked here. You will often see it shelved alongside other breakfast cereals, like oatmeal.
3. Soup Aisle
Barley is used in a wide array of homemade soups. For this reason, some grocery stores stock it in the soup aisle. Check the aisle next to cans of soup and other soup ingredients, barley will be there.
4. Baking Aisle
Some grocery stores keep a little bit of barley in this section. This is because barley is a popular ingredient used in homemade bread baking. If you do not find whole-grain barley in this section, you will likely find barley flour next to other baking supplies like cornmeal.
Read Also: Where to Find Orzo in Grocery Store
Types of Barley
At grocery stores, barley is usually sold in four major forms:
1. Whole Barley
This is more commonly called Hulled Barley. Hulled barley goes through minimal stages of processing, and contains more nutrients than all the other forms.
2. Pearled Barley
Pearled barley is the type mostly found in grocery stores. It guarantees shorter cooking time, as the hull and bran have been removed.
3. Quick Barley
Quick barley goes through the most processing and gets cooked in about 10 minutes. It’s mostly consumed as a breakfast cereal, and a popular brand of this type is Quaker.
The partial loss of vitamins in quick barley prevents most grocery stores from stocking it in the whole grains section. This is why it is often found in the breakfast aisle.
4. Barley Flour
Barley flour can be used in place of whole-grain barley and makes an excellent substitute (although, not in all recipes). It can serve as a thickener in soups, stews, and other dishes.
Where to Buy Barley Near You
If you couldn’t find barley at your local grocery store, you can check out the list of grocery stores below. Most of these stores carry pearled barley, but some carry whole barley as well.
1. Amazon
Amazon can help in your search for whole barley if that’s what you need. You also have the option of choosing from several dozens of pearled barley brands available.
2. Walmart
Walmart carries a variety of barley brands, such as Quaker Pearled Barley, in the grains aisle next to rice and beans.
Read Also: Which Countries Have Walmart?
3. Kroger
Kroger carries a wide range of pearled barley brands, in the grains aisle where rice and beans are kept. They also sell their indigenous store brand, which you can try out.
4. Wegmans
Wegmans sells whole barley in one-pound bags in the Mexican foods section. They also sell pearled barley, in the pasta section.
4. Publix
Publix carries different varieties of pearled barley, in the aisle where rice and dry beans are stocked.
Read Also: Is Publix More Expensive than Walmart?
5. Safeway
Safeway sells its store and other generic barley brands. It is usually found in the grains or pasta aisle.
6. Meijer
Meijer sells pearled barley in the grains aisle, next to beans.
7. Albertsons
Barley at Albertsons is usually stocked in the grains aisle. The stores carry their brand of barley, alongside other popular brands.
8. Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods sells different varieties of pearled barley, in the grains aisle.
Benefits of Eating Barley
As also reported by Medical News Today, Barley contains a long list of vitamins and minerals and several other nutritional factors with a ton of health benefits. Let’s briefly run you through some of them.
1. Source of Fiber
Barley contains soluble fiber which has numerous benefits. It helps to lower cholesterol levels, which helps in maintaining a healthy heart. It also lowers your blood sugar level, making it a great choice for those who are diabetic. Fiber also helps maintain regular bowel movements.
2. Gives Vitamin B
Barley is packed with B vitamins, which are essential for maintaining a strong immune system. B vitamins also serve as a great source of energy.
3. Contains Iron
Barley is also rich in iron. One serving contains 1/5 of your daily needed iron intake. You can pair it up with iron pills, to ensure that you are getting enough iron in your diet.
4. Source of Calories
Barley contains a high amount of calories, which could be beneficial to those who are willing to add some weight or increase their calorie intake.
5. Source of Carbs
A serving of barley contains about 70g of carbs. If you are not on a low carbs diet, barley can give you that much-needed energy boost.
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