I regularly scour the shelves of my local health food shop for new additions to my cupboards and the other day I came across a caffeine free instant Barleycup cereal drink which I fancied giving a go. It is called Barleycup and is made from 100% roasted barley, rye and chicory. I love hot drinks so was very excited to give this go.

Barleycup

For my first try I followed the directions on the jar which suggests 1tsp of Barleycup in a cup with boiling water, with milk / sugar / honey to taste – I used Oatly as my milk and added a squirt of agave nectar. I have to say this version wasn’t so pleasant as it was quite watery and bitter.

However, I perservered and tried again the next day determined that I could make it work!

For my second attempt with my Barleycup I made a paste with the Barleycup powder and a splash of Rice Dream, then topped this up with Oatly and a squirt of agave nectar heated in a pan til hot. This was a much better version as the Oatly made it slightly thicker and the Rice Dream and agave nectar gave it the slight sweetness it needs.

For me this drink would be an occasional treat, and in being so it’s one I thoroughly enjoy when I have it. The chicory gives it a comforting, warming smokey flavour and it’s adaptable too – adding cinnamon, using  Vanilla / Hazelnut & Almond Rice Dream, having it with cold milk and ice and blitzed to make an iced barley drink would all work giving the Barleycup a different twist to suit your tastes.

If you’re a fan of hot drinks and are looking to cut out caffeine Barleycup is definitely an option worth trying.