This biodynamic pearled barley is grown by Stephen and Tania at Burrum Biodynamics in Marnoo, Victoria. Lightly polished rather than fully pearled, it retains more of the grain while remaining suitable for soups, stews and cooking.

About barley

Barley is a cereal grain traditionally used in soups, stews and grain-based dishes. After harvest, barley has a tough outer hull which is removed to make it edible. From there, further processing determines how the grain behaves in cooking.

This barley is lightly polished, closer to what is traditionally called pot barley. Only part of the outer bran layer has been removed, so the grain retains more structure than fully pearled barley. It takes slightly longer to cook and holds its shape well, making it suitable for slower cooking applications.

In Australia, most barley sold for cooking is referred to as pearled barley. This product fits within that category in terms of use, but sits closer to a minimally processed form of the grain.

About the grower

This barley is grown by Stephen and Tania at Burrum Biodynamics in Marnoo, Victoria. They produce certified biodynamic grains using farming methods that focus on soil health, crop rotation and long-term system balance.

Burrum Biodynamics grows a range of grains as well as lentils as part of its rotation. This approach supports soil structure and allows for a more resilient farming system.

You can read more about Burrum Biodynamics here.

What makes this barley special?

• Certified biodynamic barley

• Grown in Marnoo, Victoria by Burrum Biodynamics

• Lightly polished (closer to pot barley)

• Retains more of the grain than fully pearled barley

• Holds structure well during cooking

• Single-origin Australian grain

Culinary Use

• Soups and slow-cooked dishes

• Stews and braises

• Grain salads (longer cooking, firm texture)

• Added to broths for texture and body

• Cooking as a grain base in place of rice

FAQs

Is this barley organic?

Yes. This barley is certified biodynamic and grown by Burrum Biodynamics in Victoria. If you are interested in learning more about different farming practice definitions, you can find our article, here.

Does barley contain gluten?

Yes. Barley contains a type of gluten called Hordein and is not suitable for people with coeliac disease. If you want to learn more about gluten, we have written an article that you can find here.

How is this different from regular pearled barley?

This barley is more lightly processed. It retains more of the outer layer than typical pearled barley and therefore takes slightly longer to cook and has a firmer texture.

How should I store organic grains?

Store in a cool, dry place in a sealed container. For longer storage, refrigeration can help maintain freshness and reduce the risk of insect infestation. We have written an article about managing insects and pantry pests, that you can check out here

Please note: because the grower rotates their crops each year, so it is not uncommon to find other seeds mixed in with your grain (it shouldn't be too much). Mixed cropping ensures a healthy soil that allows the growers to reduce their dependance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

Practice for conventional growers is to poison their paddocks before planting the new season crops to ensure old season crops don’t come through, being an organic crop this is thankfully not an option.