Pearl barley is an ancient whole grain that has been used for thousands of years and is rich in taste and minerals. All of the husks are removed from pearl barley before it is polished (pearled), resulting in a product that looks like giant grains of rice. One of the most extensively eaten grains on the planet. Pearl barley can be used to thicken up soups and stews, added to a salad for a filling main dish, or substituted for Arborio rice in risotto. The grains are also naturally high in a variety of essential elements. Barley is a flavorful old whole grain that has been used in everything from beer to bread for thousands of years. It can be made in a variety of ways, but the most common is pearl barley.