Is barley the same as bulgur?

Some sources seem to suggest that they are not, some suggest that they are but they are treated/processed differently.

I want to know if they are fundamentally the same grain, because they are very similar when prepared.

For reference:

Whole bulgur:

Whole (pearled) barley:

grains barley

Best Answer

No. Bulgur is (almost always) made from wheat while barley is a different species.

Bulgur is cracked and parboiled before sale, while pearl barley has had the outer layers of the barley grain removed but is otherwise intact.

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Can barley be substituted for bulgur?

Both barley and bulgur are cereal grains with similar flavors. However, barley takes a longer time to cook. It may work in some recipes that use bulgur, like tabouli and kibbe. But substituting barley for bulgur may change the flavor of many dishes.

Are bulgur and barley the same thing?

Barley and bulgur are both ancient Mediterranean grains. Bulgur is wheat that has been cracked to cook more quickly, and to achieve a finer texture. Barley is a healthy, nutty, inexpensive grain that isn't used as commonly as wheat, despite its virtues.

Is bulgur made from barley?

Description. Even the ancient Babylonians, Hittites and Jews used to prepare and cook bulgur. Barley bulgur is produced from barley grains, which are first cleaned and pre-cooked, then dried and finally crushed into smaller pieces. Thanks to this preparation it has longer durability and is quickly cooked.

What is a good substitute for bulgur?

If you don't have bulgur you can substitute (per cup needed):

1 cup cracked wheat (takes longer to cook)
OR - 1 cup quinoa - which takes about the same amount of time to prepare.
OR - 1 cup rice. ...
OR - 1 cup whole wheat couscous - is a good option too, and it cooks in only 5-10 minutes.

Want a Healthy Life? Eat Bulgur. | Sanaa Abourezk | TEDxBrookings

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

Images: Mikhail Nilov, Mikhail Nilov, Lubomir Vladikov, Pixabay