Barley powder is predominantly used in Asia and Japan for its health benefits but not yet widely available in the UK.
The product is 100% pure and supplied with full traceability from field to fork, including a washing process comprising three levels of cleaning before the raw material is dehydrated.
The whole harvest to dehydration process is completed within a 48-hour time frame, guaranteeing a premium product with high levels of nutrients.
Not to be confused with the grain, barley powder is created from barley grass. It contains twice as much protein as an equivalent amount of wheat germ and about five times the minerals of animal protein.
Unlike most plants, barley grass provides all nine essential amino acids, making it a perfect solution for food processors looking to boost the healthy image of their products.
Also available in flaked form, barley powder is suitable for a wide range of food applications such as health drinks, soups and ready meals.
It is easily incorporated into base ingredients to raise the nutrient profile of the product in question.
Some of the health claims surrounding barley grass include weight loss, longevity, antiageing, increased energy, sleep improvement and improved immune response – making it a great choice for food manufacturers wishing to tap into the health-conscious consumer market.
The company is also launching its other star healthy ingredient: organic and conventional spinach powder. The spinach is grown in prime Italian soil, harvested at peak nutrient levels and then swiftly dehydrated.
In its dehydrated powder form, spinach benefits from a far superior shelf life and ease of storage and handling compared with the fresh or frozen variety. It is also high in fibre, naturally gluten-free, vegan and contains high levels of nutrients, vitamins A, C and K plus minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.
Made by grinding whole dried spinach leaves, the finely textured powder has a rich green colour and is incredibly versatile for both food and industrial applications. As well as being a good source of protein, it has similar applications to barley powder and is also suitable for use in yeast breads, wraps, quick breads, pasta, soups, drinks, vitamins, baby food and dips.
Spinach or barley powder make perfect additions to smoothies, juices and health drinks too.
Readily incorporated into most mixtures, they can be used to add a strong kick of colour and nutrients to a variety of products. Both powders are ideally suited to premixes for juices as they can be easily mixed with other ingredients to make a supercharged health drink.
Brusco’s Managing Director, Andrew Ashby, commented: “We are delighted to introduce our 100% pure barley and spinach powders to our range. They offer a great way to add clean-label nutrients and colour to food and drink items, and also allow food processors to have simple, consumer-friendly declarations on their products. In addition to spinach powder, we also supply cuttlefish ink in powder form for creating a natural black colour in products such as pasta, sauces and meals but with none of the mess the liquid form creates.”
The company has been supplying household name food service and food manufacturing companies for over 20 years with its market-leading range of products. It supplies companies across the UK with a diverse selection of ambient, chilled and frozen ingredients unrivalled by other suppliers.
