Barley Tea

Ingredients

• 2 ounces roasted barley (1/4 cup)
• 1 1/2 pints water
• honey, can be added to help sooth sore throat
• lemon, can be added to help sooth sore throat

Directions

1. 1

   To make plain barley water — put two ounces of barley into a small saucepan along with 1-1/2 pints of water.

2. 2

   Bring to a boil.

3. 3

   Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 6 minutes.

4. 4

   Strain through cheesecloth, forcing out all the juice.

5. 5

   Barley water is a very nutritious cooling drink that helps bring down fever.

6. 6

   It is also useful for those suffering from bronchitis and asthma.

7. 7

   To Roast barley(use pot or pearl barley—pearled barley being more refined than pot barley but making no difference to the tea).

8. 8

   In a hot a cast iron skillet until a drop of water sizzles when dropped into pan.

9. 9

   Measure barley into a sieve and rinse under cold running water.

10. 10

    Towel dry.

11. 11

    Put barley in skillet and dry roast, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for even toasting, until it turns golden.

12. 12

    Over-roasting will produce a coffee-like drink!

13. 13

    To make a caffeine-free coffee substitute, roast the barley until it is brown.

14. 14

    Cool and grind.

15. 15

    Then roast again until fragrant and very dark-- but not burnt.

16. 16

    Use in place of regular ground coffee, experimenting with amounts until desired strength is reached.