Barley gruel

Barley gruel (simplified Chinese: 大麦粥; traditional Chinese: 大麥粥; pinyin: dàmàizhōu) or Danyang barley porridge is a type of porridge found in Danyang, Jiangsu. It is made from barley, rice and alkali.

Barley gruel

Type	Porridge
Place of origin	China
Region or state	Danyang, Jiangsu
Main ingredients	Barley, rice and alkali

History

According to local legend, when the Qianlong Emperor came to Danyang, officials could not take expensive and delicate food. Worried, the officials presented barley gruel to the emperor. The emperor was happy with the food and enjoyed the taste. Since that time, the people of Danyang eat barley gruel for their breakfast and supper.

Cooking process

Prepare some barley flour which is mixed with water and some dietary alkali which is used to enhance the flavor of the gruel. As soon as the porridge starts boiling, turn down the flame and then pour the mixed barley paste into the porridge. After that, add a spoonful of dietary alkali to it and at the same time, stir the porridge. When the porridge boils again and it becomes yellow, it can be eaten.^[1][2][3][4]

Traditional Chinese medicine

Barley porridge has two uses in Chinese medicine: strengthening the spleen and stomach and relieving sunstroke.^[5]

See also

• Food portal

• List of porridges

References

1. "趣话丹阳大麦粥-《烹调知识》2004年03期". Cnki.com.cn. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
2. "中国丹阳". Danyang.gov.cn. 2009-09-09. Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
3. "趣话丹阳大麦粥―《烹调知识》―2004年第3期―龙源期刊网". Qikan.com.cn. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
4. "丹阳大麦粥". Xcb.tzsz.net. 2010-09-26. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
5. "大麦粥_新闻中心_新浪网". News.sina.com.cn. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2011-09-30.