If you enjoy the nutritional powerhouse of wheat grass juice, you'll love adding variety to your diet with barley grass juice! Grow barley grass and make homemade barley grass juice using these simple step-by-step instructions.
HARVESTING BARLEY GRASS
Barley grass juice is produced from young grasses and can be juiced using a couple of different methods. For optimal grass juice, harvest the barley grass when it is no more than 4-6 inches tall. Cut the barley grass just above the level of the roots, to allow the grass to grow back again.
HOW TO PREPARE BARLEY GRASS FOR JUICING
Barley grass juice is most beneficial directly after juicing. While it can be made in larger quantities and refrigerated or frozen, it is optimal to juice in single batches. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your juicer, if available, or perform the following:
- Harvest and wash approximately ¼ cup of barley grass per single shot of juice.
- Roughly chop the grass into smaller pieces.
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Measure the grass to ensure ¼ cup of grass per serving.
JUICING BARLEY GRASS
Barley grass juice is generally not made with commercial vegetable juicers. The fibrous nature of grass does not align itself well to the usual method of juicing leafy greens, cucumbers, and fruits.
Instead, there are juicers specifically designed to work with the nature of barley grass. They press the grasses instead of grinding them and applying centrifugal force. Manual grass juicers also ensure that heat and oxidation are kept to a minimum, in order to preserve the many benefits of the juice.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUICING BARLEY GRASS
Method #1: Using a Juicer
- Feed the barley grass into the juicer and run according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
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Capture the juice. With a manual grinder, passing the pulp through a second time can help to extract as much of the juice as possible.
Method #2: Using a Blender
If a juicer is unavailable, a high-powered blender can be utilized to juice barley grass, though some claim it to be an inferior product.
- Add prepared barley grass and enough water to allow the grass to liquefy in the blender.
- Blend the barley grass and water just long enough to liquefy.
- Pour into a clean tight-weave towel or fine-mesh strainer, set over a clean glass or bowl.
- If using a towel, gather up the corners to make a bag.
- Squeeze the liquid from the blended grass into the glass, being sure to get as much out as possible.
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Discard pulp and enjoy barley grass juice.
BARLEY GRASS SMOOTHIE
Barely grass juice has a strong flavor that many find unappealing at best, completely unpalatable at worst. To make it more palatable it can be diluted with water, vegetable juice, or fruit juice. Another way to enjoy barley grass juice is in a smoothie. The fresh barley grass juice can be mixed with bananas, apples, or other favorite tasting food to create a delicious and healthy smoothie. To make a superfood green smoothie, barley grass juice can be combined with kale, spinach, or maca.
For maximum benefit, consume immediately after juicing.
WHY FRESH BARLEY GRASS JUICE IS BETTER THAN POWDER
The saying “fresh is better” is true in the case of barley grass juice. Although the drying process has become more sophisticated, not all of the nutrients in barley grass juice are preserved once it’s turned into powder. Growing barley grass and juicing at home is the best way to harvest all of the nutrients, such as chlorophyll, vitamin B1, and essential amino acids. Enjoy the benefits of fresh juice plain or in a barley grass smoothie. Need some smoothie ideas? Check out our recipes for inspiration.
