Here are step-by-step instructions for making Barley and Candied Winter Melon Drink from scratch in 8 Steps (with Pictures). Barley is a wonderfully versatile cereal grain with a rich wheatlike flavor and an appealing chewy consistency. It closely resembles wheat berries, slightly lighter in color. Barley drink or barley water can be found in various parts of the world and there are many ways of preparing the drink. Here is a simple and easy Chinese-Malaysian way: Barley is boiled in plenty of water and then sweetened to taste. Pandan leaves and candied winter melon are added to give a distinctive flavor to the barley water – healthy, delicious and nutritious. This drink has many powerful health benefits. Your body will thank you for it.
Barley and Candied Winter Melon Drink Recipe
Servings:
5 persons
Ingredients:
150g pearl barley
75g candied winter melon
40g white rock sugar
1500ml water
2 pandan leaves
Method:
1. Rinse barley under running water to remove any dirt that you may find.
2. Bring water to boil. Add barley, turn off the heat, cover lid and let it sit for 30 minutes.
3. Cut winter melon into small bite-sized pieces.
4. Wash the pandan leaves, tear into strips and tie in a knot.
5. Bring the water to boil again. Add candied winter melon, white rock sugar and continue to cook until the sugar dissolves.
6. Reduce the heat, and simmer the drink for 30 minutes. The barley will become soft and the water will turn milky.
7. Add pandan leaves and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. Turn off the heat. Discard the pandan leaves. Serve warm or chilled.
Note:
- Cooking the pandan leaves for too long will cause the drink to taste bitter. It is recommended to add it towards the last 10 minutes and discard immediately.
- The drink can be drunk hot or cold and it is best to drink it on the day of making. Your homemade Barley drink should keep well in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For 100g of barley, you can cook with 1 to 2 litre of water depending on whether you want a thick or a light drink. If you intend to use the barley drink as a remedy, you should make a rather thick drink.
- The barley grains that settle to the bottom of the pot are either retained or discarded. Many people throw the grains away. This is a waste because the barley grains are rich in fiber and may also contain other nutrients that do not get dissolved in the water.
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