Dark barley water

Dark barley water - Close-up Photo of Yellow Rose in Bloom

I happened across the wikipedia article on barley water today, and it features a photo of some very dark barley water:

dark barley water

As far as I know, barley water is normally much lighter than that. Where does the dark color come from? Is that perhaps not just barley water?



Best Answer

It is unlikely that pure barley, however strong the malting, will produce such a dark color. I think it is safe to assume that it is colored.

In Germany, this (or a very similar) beverage is called Malzbier (See the English Wikipedia article on Malzbier) It is an alcohol free drink made with malted barley, and commonly colored with the food coloring E 150 (Look at the site of this popular drink, third FAQ item from the end). This is a coloring created by letting different types of sugar undergo a Maillard reaction, and can be considered a type of caramel. So it can be used in a malt drink in relatively high amounts without introducing an unusual taste or presenting a health risk.

If you have seen lighter barley water until now, this is probably because different producers use different amounts of coloring. It is probably a regional thing, the drink in the picture is produced in Spain, maybe they like their malted drinks darker.




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Is it good to drink barley water daily?

While consuming barley water, keep in mind that barley water is a diuretic, so do not drink more than six glasses a day. Too much of anything is harmful, and excess barley water may cause stomach irritation and loose bowels in some cases.

What are the benefits of black barley?

Nutritional benefits While also found in red cabbage and beets, this antioxidant is said to be more stable in grains than in vegetables. Black barley is also high in gluten-soluble fiber. This helps to lower cholesterol and reduce glycemic levels, thus lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Who should not drink barley water?

And the calorie count of one serving of barley water is equivalent to a full meal, so be careful not to drink too much in one sitting. It is also a gluten-containing grain so it should be avoided for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

What are the benefits of drinking barley water?

The health benefits of barley water include:
  • Fiber boost. Share on Pinterest Barley water is an excellent source of fiber, which helps to keep the digestive system healthy. ...
  • Lowers cholesterol. ...
  • Helps balance gut bacteria. ...
  • Lowers blood sugar levels. ...
  • Encourages weight loss.




Barley Water Recipe | How to make Barley Water for Weight Loss, PCOS, Kidney Stones \u0026 Glowing Skin




More answers regarding dark barley water

Answer 2

It could be that the producer uses toasted or roasted barley as part of their process, which would impart the darker colors that you would normally see in various styles of beer. That would also give it different flavors. Toasted malts could provide nutty, toffee, caramel, or raisin flavors. Roasted malts would give it more coffee or chocolate flavors.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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