The rice dumplings eaten by Tibetans are made from barley. Barley is a special grain adapted to the cold environment, barley is a grass, barley plant, also called naked barley or yuan wheat. It is a perennial herb with three erect stalks that can reach a height of 100 cm. The spike-like inflorescences of barley are yellow-brown or purple-brown after ripening, and there are many types, which can be divided into white barley, flower barley, black barley, purple barley and so on according to color.
Barley mainly grows in northwest and southwest provinces, such as Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan and other places, and is often cultivated in the cold climate of the plateau. Barley is widely cultivated due to its short growing period, strong adaptability, high yield and early maturation. Barley is a more adaptable crop with strong adaptability to cold and barrenness. It is generally sown in March-May and harvested in July-September.
Barley has a variety of uses, it can be used as a raw material for barley wine, beer, Tibetan medicine and health products, etc., and can also be used to make food such as barley noodles. Barley also has high nutritional value, it is rich in dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals and other nutrients, which has many benefits for human health.
The nutritional composition of barley needs to be highlighted here, 1. Starch: The starch content of barley is high, generally between 40.54% ~ 67.68%, and the average value is 59.25%. Barley starch contains a large amount of pullulan, some even as high or close to 100%, this starch has high nutritional value and unique health care functions.
2. Fat: The fat content of barley is low, generally between 1.18% ~ 3.09%, and the average value is 2.13%, which is lower than cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. Barley fat contains a variety of fatty acids that are beneficial to human health, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, etc., which have the effect of lowering cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
3. Barley also contains some unique ingredients, such as β-glucan, etc., which have a variety of health care functions such as cleansing the intestines, regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and improving immunity. Overall, barley is a cereal crop widely grown in highland areas with multiple uses and high nutritional value.
Here's how the rice is made: Wash the barley, dry it, and fry it in a pot. Stir-fry the barley to remove impurities and dust. Barley is ground into a fine powder, a process that can be done using a stone mill or an electric mill. The ground barley powder is sifted to remove larger particles and impurities, so that the taste of the barley is more delicate. It is not only delicious, but also nutritious.
When serving, stir well with a small amount of butter tea, milk residue, sugar, etc., and knead it into a ball by hand. It is not only easy to eat, rich in nutrients and high in calories, it is very suitable for hunger and cold, but also easy to carry and store. It can be eaten as a staple food with vegetables, meat, beans and other ingredients, and is one of the traditional staple foods of the Tibetan people.