Barley vs. oats?

Question

What is the difference between barley and oats? In the US grocery stores (EDIT: in one grocery store) they seem to be considered to be the same thing, are they?

Answer 1

Oats

Oats are among the many cereal grains consumed. Oats are very popular in the health food movement because of their high nutritional value, and they have been used in breakfast porridge for centuries for much the same reason. Oats have a nutty flavour that is an excellent supplement to bread and other foods. Oats are high in protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamin E, among many other nutritional needs, and are an excellent dietary supplement for this reason. Today, oats are eaten in the form of oatmeal and granola bars.

Barley

Part of the grass family, barley grows in over 100 countries and is one of the most popular cereal crops, surpassed only by wheat, corn and rice. Because barley is a whole-grain food, consumption provides several health benefits. It is high is soluble fiber and can reduce blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Barley is also low in fat. Pearled barley is widely available in supermarkets near the rice, dry beans and pulses. Barley flour is available in health food markets. It is used as a thickener for soups and stews, and also in baked goods. In some recipes, you can combine barley flour with wheat flour. Barley flakes are used in baked goods. Barley is also used in the malted form. To form barley malt, the barley kernels are soaked and dried. The kernels sprout in a controlled environment. Along with beer, uses for barley malt include extracts, syrups and flavourings. Cooked pearled barley added to a salad provides extra fiber. Main dishes, soups and stews, baked goods and breakfast foods also include barley as an ingredient.

source:http://doctor.ndtv.com/faq/ndtv/fid/0014146/Is_having_tender_coconut_water_good_for_health.html

Answer 2

I guarantee that no US grocery store refers to barley as oats or vise versa. They are unrelated, except that they are both grains.

Answer 3

One difference between the two is that oats are gluten free while barley contains gluten.

Answer 4

They are very similar, but not the same. This site gives a nice overview highlighting some differences. The biggest differences may be how they are traditionally used. In the US, barley is used mostly for beer/liquor-making and animal feed, less commonly as food. However oats are common in bread, oatmeal, etc. In Europe, I believe barley is more commonly used than oats as food for humans, but I don't have a source on that. Its uses are similar to oats: bread, soups, stews. Flavor-wise oats are a little nuttier.

Answer 5

In Canada, I feel both are sold separately. In Bulk Barn store I buy steel-cut oats for my porridge whereas rolled oats are different denomination. Difference between the two doesn't seem to specific or very clear to absorb.

Answer 6

Both Oat and Barley are finished product and their origin is same grain. only their process of preparation is different. 1st one is prepared in steam process and 2nd one is prepared from raw grain. Thanks