Why Pearl Barley Outshines Semolina in Nutrition, Say Experts

Chef Gleb Astafyev and doctor Alexander Miasnikov named a very beneficial and yet underrated dish, as reported by our site with a link to **AIH**. According to them, it's pearl barley. In fact, it's just barley, they noted, and it got its name because the grains resemble pearls when cooked. 'It's very healthy because it's minimally processed. Low in calories, high in fiber, it's one of the most nutrient-rich grains,' they said. Meanwhile, they advised against eating traditional semolina porridge. 'There are dishes that aren't really dishes; they were created to combat hunger and treat malnutrition in the past. But that time has passed. A good example of an unhealthy dish is semolina. It's not a grain, but finely ground flour,' said the chef. Miasnikov added that semolina is essentially just starch, and they recommended using it as an additive or thickener in various dishes.