Homemade barley water with candied winter melon 薏米水
My paternal grandmother used to brew homemade barley water for all us kids especially during the hot humid months. In Singapore, we call this barley drink 薏米水 (yi mi water) which is not quite true because 薏米 (yi mi) is coix seeds or job's tears not barley.
The more accurate name in chinese should be 大麦水 (da mai water). I do not know how the English and Chinese names were mixed up but this mix-up is quite prevalent in Singapore. Even the big drink manufacturers like Yeo's, Marigold label their barley drink packets as 薏米水.
It has a reputation as a child-friendly cooling refreshing drink. It cools the body and prevent it from getting too heated.
I don't really like mass manufactured barley drinks, it lacks a certain refreshing that only the homemade stuff has.
Adding a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the drink or adding a slice of lemon before serving makes all the difference.
Ingredients
-
200g pearl barley
100g candied winter melon
150g rock sugar
2 litres water
- Place the pearl barley, candied winter melon and water into a big pot and bring it to a boil
- Lower the heat and simmer everything on low heat for 45 minutes or until the water turns milky
- Add the rock sugar, stir until it melts
- Remove from heat and let it cool down before straining.
- You can save some of the pearl barley and add them back to the drink before serving. Do not leave the pearl barley in the water as it will expand and soak up the liquid
- Serve warm or chilled
Dear visitors
If you want to re-post information on this page, ask me first or follow these instructions. I'm flattered that people think my content is good enough to re-use but I think it is only polite to seek permission. Pictures appearing on this page are not necessarily mine. Click through to find the original flickr owner.
This page has been edited and updated on 8 August 2013.
Thanks, Phoebe
| Share on Facebook |
| Chinese Soup Recipes / Pearl barley / Homemade barley water |
