How To Make Jau Or Barley Water (Sharbat) At Home?

Summers are upon us; we all are in a desperate need to stay hydrated and cool in the scorching heat. One of the best ways to do so is to drink jau, or barley, water (or sharbat), which is said to be super refreshing and helps your body replenish well. Barley is a grain commonly found in beverages, breads and various regional cuisines in the country. Barley, as a whole grain, is an important source of dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals that are not found in refined grains. Barley water is often flavoured with lemon juice to give it a tangy twist.(Also Read -9 Reasons Why You Should Drink Barley Grass Juice)
 
Benefits Of Barley

1. Chemicals in barley known as tocols have been found to lower LDL cholesterol and contribute to better cardiovascular health.
2. Barley, loaded with fibre content, can help boost your digestive process. In fact, it makes you feel fuller for longer. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise regime, it may help you lose weight.
3. It comes loaded with antioxidants, folate, copper, iron and manganese that help promote overall health.
4. It is the presence of digestive fibre that helps keep your bowels moving smoothly.
5. Choline is an important nutrient in barley water that helps with proper body functioning.
6. Barley is said to prevent the development of kidney stones and water retention.
7. Its antioxidant properties help clear toxins from the stomach, further keeping your stomach healthy.

How To Make Barley Sharbat At Home?Ingredients

• Barley (pick pot barley, hulled barley or pearl barley)
• Water
• Rock sugar or salt (optional)
• Lemon juice (as needed)

Method

1. Wash and soak barley for not less than eight hours.
2. Drain the water completely.
3. Now, add water and barley to a pot or cooker and pressure cook it until it turns mushy.
4. You can also cook it in an open pan till the barley turns soft and tender.
5. If you are using hulled barley, it takes more than an hour to cook in the pan. You will require more water as needed while you boil it.
6. Let the solution cool to room temperature.  
7. Strain and add rock sugar or salt, lemon and relish it with ice. In fact, you can add raw honey to it too.

Make some ice-cold barley sharbat at home and beat the heat like never before!