Barley Milk vs Coconut Milk: How To Choose?

In this article, we are going to compare barley milk and coconut milk to see how they compare in many aspects including calories, nutritional content, taste, usage, effects on weight loss, and environment.

To make this comparison as fair as possible and get a realistic picture of how barley and coconut milk compare, we’ve used USDA’s date on products that are unsweetened and that aren’t fortified or that are minimally fortified if the completely unfortified product isn’t available.

Both barley and coconut milk are dairy-free, and therefore suitable for vegans and people that stick to a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, but there are also many differences between these plant-based drinks.

Let’s see what barley and coconut drinks are, how they are produced, and finally how they compare in various ways.

What is Barley Milk and How It’s Made?

Barley is a type of grain. It is one of the most consumed grains in America.

It is very rich in nutrients. It contains many vitamins and minerals and is associated with a number of health benefits.

Another plant-based milk option made using barley is barley milk. It is frequently on the shelves and can reach many consumers thanks to both its taste and composition.

The nutritional value of barley is high due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, and other useful plant elements.

Pearl barley is the only kind of barley that does not utilize the whole grain; this type of barley has been polished, which removes part or all of the exterior bran layer as well as the husk. Nearly all other types of barley do use the complete grain.

When ingested in its whole-grain form, barley is a very rich source of fiber, selenium, molybdenum, and manganese. In addition, it has a respectable quantity of copper, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, and niacin.

During the barley milk preparation process, however, the fiber and pulp are separated, so this is a crucial consideration to keep in mind. Because it is not ingested in its whole, it is unable to give all of the health advantages that are associated with consuming whole barley.

What is Coconut Milk and How It’s Made?

Coconut milk is a type of milk that is used in many recipes and has many lovers of its mild taste.

It might be confusing to call it milk, but coconut milk is derived from coconuts and is plant-based. You can consume coconut milk, which is often preferred by vegans, or you can use it in your recipes.

The amount of calories in coconut milk is quite high.

Fat accounts for about 93% of its calorie content, including saturated fats, often referred to as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

There has been some research to suggest that the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) included in coconut milk may assist with weight reduction, as well as improve metabolism and body composition.

The richness of coconut milk may be attributed to the nutritious components that are found in coconuts.

Barley vs Coconut Milk Nutrition and Calories

In this section, we’ll analyze the similarities and differences between barley milk and coconut milk based on nutritional information provided by USDA.

Macronutrients

Plant-based milks mostly consist of water, and barley and coconut milks are no exceptions.

3.5 oz or 100 g of barley milk contains 29 calories, and consists mostly of protein (2.08 g), followed by fat (2.08 g) and carbs (1.25 g).

Speaking of coconut milk, the same amount contains 150 calories, and consists mostly of fat (15 g), followed by protein (1.25 g) and carbs (1.25 g).

The table below compares the nutrition of a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of barley milk to the same amount of coconut milk.

Fiber

Fiber is important for our health as it keeps us feeling full, prevents constipation, lowers sugar spikes and regulates sugar levels, lowers total and LDL cholesterol, and provides many other benefits.

When it comes to dietary fiber, barley milk is a better choice. It contains 0.4 g per 3.5oz (100g), while coconut milk is lower in dietary fiber with 0 g.

Micronutrients

What about micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in barley and coconut milk?

The table below shows the most important vitamins and minerals in unfortified or minimally fortified plant-based drinks available in the market. Some of these nutrients are hard to get on a vegan diet.

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably want to know whether barley or coconut milk is better for you.

With 150 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g), coconut milk is higher in calories than barley milk which contains 29 calories.

Barley vs Coconut Milk Taste and Uses

Barley milk is creamy and has a slightly earthy-grainy aftertaste.

Like other plant-based milk, you can use barley milk in coffee, tea, and smoothies. You can use it in your baked items for its earthy smell.

Barley milk can add to the taste of chocolate-based dishes.

It can enhance the flavor of chocolate fudge cake and brownies. You can use it in pasta sauces to add a grainy taste.

Coconut milk comes in different consistencies. It can be unctuous, thick like cake batter with a strong coconut taste, or slightly less viscous with a mild coconut flavor.

Coconut milk has a creamy consistency, and you can use it as a thickener in soups and curries.

The sweet tropical scent of coconut milk is perfect for smoothies. Coconut milk is rich in MCTs. Its high-fat content can add to the moisture of your cakes, brownies, and muffins. Coconut milk can add a tropical taste to vegetable curries and lentil soups.

You can also use coconut milk for your coffee. You can store thick coconut milk in your refrigerator and scoop it out to use it as whipped cream on your desserts. Whipped coconut cream can give your cocktails an exotic touch.

Conclusion

Barley milk and coconut milk are both plant-based, non-dairy beverages, suitable for vegans.

Barley milk and coconut milk have their similarities and differences, but both are nutritious and a healthful addition to your diet. When available, always choose unsweetened, fortified products or try making them at home.

Plant milks, including barley and coconut milks are easy to add to a diet, and can be used in varieties of recipes and dishes.

Fortified products will help get different nutrients, including micronutrients that are usually hard to get on a plant-based diet, such as vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium and others.

If you’re willing to learn more about these non-dairy milks, read our articles about them: Barley Milk and Coconut Milk.

Other Barley Milk Comparisons

• Almond vs Barley
• Barley vs Cashew
• Barley vs Macadamia
• Barley vs Oat
• Barley vs Pea
• Barley vs Rice
• Barley vs Soy

Other Coconut Milk Comparisons

• Almond Milk vs Coconut Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Coconut Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Oat Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Pea Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Rice Milk
• Coconut Milk vs Soy Milk