How to make Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge - Talbina is a Prophetic breakfast recommended by the beloved Prophet Muhammad Saw ﷺ. This simple dish is a nutritious porridge made from ground Barley and it may have numerous health benefits. 5 minute Talbina is nutritious, filling and delicious and is made in 2 easy steps!
In this Recipe I use ground Talbina/Barley Flour from Roohts.
If you are a lover of Barley Recipes, why not try Barley Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Mixed Seeds, Vegetarian Pearl Barley Soup or Pearl Barley Soup.
What is Talbina?
Talbina is a porridge made from Barley.
It can be made from Flaked Barley, Pearl Barley, Pot Barley, Hulled Barley, Barley Flour and Roast Barley Flour.
Talbina can be made with Water or Milk and just like Porridge made with Oats, it can be topped with many ingredients such as fresh Fruit and Honey.
I first came across Talbina many years ago when I read about it in Ibn al-Qayyim's book 'The Prophetic Medicine'.
In this book it was described as a soup that gives relaxation for the heart of the sick person. It was also considered beneficial when served to family members of someone who had passed away.
Ground Barley is said to be more beneficial in Islamic Medicine as it is more easily digested then whole Barley.
Ingredients in Talbina
Barley Flour
The main ingredient! Use Whole grain Barley Flour or Barley Powder. I use Roohts Barley Flour. It is the best one I have tried.
Milk
We add a cup of Milk - Dairy or Non Dairy.
Honey or Maple Syrup
For added sweetness.
Warming Spices (Optional)
Cardamom, Saffron, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ginger etc or use Chai Masala Powder, Pumpkin Spices, or Gingerbread Spices.
How to Make Talbina in 2 EASY steps
Add a couple of tablespoons of Barley Flour to either Water to Milk or a combination of the 2.
Simmer whisking regularly over low heat for 5 minutes until it thickens to the porridge consistency.
At this stage, you can add Spices and a sweetener of your choice and simmer for a further minute or 2.
Note - You can make it as thick or as thin as you like. Add more Milk/Water according to your taste.
Talbina made with whole Barley
Whole Barley comes in 3 main forms.
Hulled barley is wholegrain. The outer shell is removed from the grain.
Pearl barley is polished and the outer husk and bran layers have been removed.
Pot barley is less processed in comparison to pearl barley but not as chewy as hulled barley.
In the case of Hulled Barley, Pearl Barley and Pot Barley, pre soaking in cold water overnight is required.
The following morning it is added to boiled milk and then simmered for 45 - 50 minutes.
Whilst whole Barley is very nutritious, for ease we use ground Barley Flour so the Porridge is ready to eat in 5 minutes.
You can also grind whole Barley to make a powder and then make the Talbina from that.
Talbina using Pre Roasted Barley Flour (JAU KO SATTU)
In my recipe, I use Barley Flour that has not been pre roasted.
The one pictured below is made with pre roasted Barley Flour.
You can use pre - roasted Barley Flour for a sweeter, more earthy flavour.
To use it, cook it using the same method as the one in the recipe card below.
Talbina made with Barley Flakes (Jau Daliya)
Boil Milk and add Barley over medium heat.
Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
Add chopped Medjoul Dates (If they are dry, pre soak for 10 minutes).
Cook for 5 - 6 more minutes until it reaches a porridge-like consistency.
Drizzle over Honey and add ¼ to ⅓ teaspoon Cardamom powder or whatever you prefer.
Barley Flakes can also be used to make Cereal Bars. I made these Barley Bars from the recipe linked above to test them out and would highly recommend them as a nutritious make ahead breakfast.
Talbina Benefits
As well as being a sunnah food (recommended by the Prophet Muhammed saw). Some of the potential benefits are listed below:
- Aisha (RA - May Allah be pelased with her) would often prescribe Talbina for sadness, Anxiety, Depression or Grief.
- Barley is rich in vitamins (especially b vitamins) and minerals. It is a particularly rich source of fibre, molybdenum, manganese and selenium.
- Barley has antioxidant properties and is thought to help boost immunity and aids control of blood sugar levels.
- Barley is thought to be beneficial to those suffering with mental health issues such as symptoms of depression.
- Talbina aids in weight loss as it keeps hunger at bay.
Hadith on Talbina
Hadith 1
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said that whenever one of her relatives died, the women assembled and then dispersed (returned to their houses) except her relatives and close friends.
She (may Allah be pleased with her) would order that a pot of Talbina be cooked.
Then Tharid (a dish prepared from meat and bread) would be prepared and the talbina would be poured over it.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) would say (to the women), "Eat of it, for I heard the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) saying:
'The talbina soothes the heart of the patient and relieves him from some of his sadness.' (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5058)).
Hadith 2
"It (talbina) soothes the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart just as one of you cleans dirt off his face with water." (Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3445)).
Hadith 3
"You should eat the beneficial thing that is unpleasant to eat (Talbina), meaning broth. If any member of Allah’s messenger family was sick, the cooking pot would remain on the fire until one of two things happened, either the person recovered or died." (Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3446).
Storage and Reheating
Talbina is best made fresh but if you do have leftovers they can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container or a pot with a tight fitting lid for up to a day.
Reheat on the hob or in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of milk or water.
Toppings and Variations
Water or Milk
Talbina can be made with Water or Milk and you can adjust the quantities of the liquid too.
Add your favourite ground Spices
Such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom etc. This is especially beneficial during the colder months.
Sweetener
Add a drizzle of sweetener such as Date Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Agave.
Nut Butter
Add a tablespoon of Nut Butter such as Tahini, Peanut Butter or Almond Butter.
Seeds and Nuts
Add a sprinkling of toasted Nuts or Seeds such as Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Pecans.
Granola
Add a sprinkling of Granola or toasted Coconut or almond flakes.
Compote
Add stewed fruits or Compote.
Plant Based Milks
Use plant based milks such as Oat milk or coconut milk.
Fruits
Add fresh fruits or dates which act as natural sweeteners.
Grilled Dates
Add Grilled Dates - Grill or lightly cook dates in a pan with butter or ghee, then drizzle with honey. Add a pinch of salt and pepper at the end and add to the Porridge.
Other uses for Talbina
This broth can be used as a stock for soups or stews or as a thickener.
More Ramadan Recipes:
Nabeez – An energising Suhoor drink for Ramadan
30 delicious and healthy dinner (iftar) ideas for ramadan
30 Delicious and Healthy Breakfast (Suhoor) ideas for Ramadan
More Barley Recipes:
Barley Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Mixed Seeds
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How to make Talbina - Healthy Barley Porridge
Ingredients
Talbina
- 2 tablespoon Barley Flour heaped tbsp
- 175 - 250 ml Milk or Water. Adjust quantity according to your preference.
Optional but recommended add ins
- ½ teaspoon Spices Chai Masala or use some Ground Cinnamon, Saffron, Cloves, Ginger and Cardamom
- 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Add Barley Flour and Milk to a pot. Simmer slowly over low heat for 5 minutes until it thickens, whisking regularly.
- Add Spices if using, and simmer for 1 - 2 minutes over medium heat. I like to add Saffron, Cardamom and Ginger.
- Top with Honey and serve.
Notes
Talbina made with whole Barley
Whole Barley comes in 3 main forms. Hulled barley is wholegrain. The outer shell is removed from the grain. Pearl barley is polished and the outer husk and bran layers have been removed. Pot barley is less processed in comparison to pearl barley but not as chewy as hulled barley. In the case of Hulled Barley, Pearl Barley and Pot Barley, pre soaking in cold water overnight is required. The following morning it is added to boiled milk and then simmered for 45 - 50 minutes. Whilst whole Barley is very nutritious, for ease we use ground Barley Flour so the Porridge is ready to eat in 5 minutes.Talbina using Pre Roasted Barley Flour (JAU KO SATTU)
In my recipe, I use Barley Flour that has not been pre roasted. You can use pre - roasted Barley Flour for a sweeter, more earthy flavour. Cook it using the same method as the one in the recipe card below.Talbina made with Barley Flakes (Jau Daliya)
Boil Milk and add Barley over medium heat. Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Add chopped Medjoul Dates (If they are dry, pre soak for 10 minutes). Cook for 5 - 6 more minutes until it reaches a porridge-like consistency. Drizzle over Honey and add ¼ to ⅓ teaspoon Cardamom powder or whatever you prefer.Storage and Reheating
Talbina is best made fresh but if you do have leftovers they can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container or pot with a tight lid for up to a day. Reheat on the hob or in the microwave with a couple of tablespoons of milk or water.Toppings and Variations
Water or Milk Talbina can be made with Water or Milk and you can adjust the quantities of the liquid too. Add your favourite ground Spices Such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom etc. This is especially beneficial during the colder months. Sweetener Add a drizzle of sweetener such as Date Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Agave. Nut Butter Add a tablespoon of Nut Butter such as Tahini, Peanut Butter or Almond Butter. Seeds and Nuts Add a sprinkling of toasted Nuts or Seeds such as Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Pecans. Granola Add a sprinkling of Granola or toasted Coconut or almond flakes. Compote Add stewed fruits or Compote. Plant Based Milks Use plant based milks such as Oat milk or coconut milk. Fruits Add fresh fruits or dates which act as natural sweeteners. Grilled Dates Add Grilled Dates - Grill or lightly cook dates in a pan with butter or ghee, then drizzle with honey. Add a pinch of salt and pepper at the end and add to the Porridge.Other uses for Talbina
This broth can be used as a stock for soups or stews or as a thickener.Nutrition
Shazia Malik says
Divine. This recipe is made in Heaven.
Safira says
Thank you for your lovely comment. x 🙂
Susu says
Can I make this in a microwave? And if so how? Would it be like making ready break porridge :))
Safira says
I haven't tried making it in the microwave yet so I am not sure. I will give it a try and get back to you. 🙂
Nasreen says
Assalamu alaikum. JazakAllah for the beautiful detailed explanation. I had a question. Would roasting the flour in ghee change its nutritional value and effect according to the hadith?
Safira says
Waalaykumusalam,
BarakAllah.
It would only affect the calorific value but nutirionally it would actually have a positive impact overall. x
Nasreen says
Thank you for the quick reply. Take care and have a beneficial Ramadan.
Safira says
You too Nasreen. Aameen. x
Dareen :) says
Highly informative recipe and incredibly comforting, hearty and nutritious! 😀 one of my favs <3
Safira says
So glad you liked it. Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. 🙂
A p says
The best recipe!
Safira says
Yes it's a favourite around here!