Talbina (5-Minute Healthy Barley Porridge)

Talbina is a simple barley porridge made with finely ground barley flour and milk. It takes around 5 minutes to make and needs just 2 main ingredients.

It is also a food mentioned in the Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke of Talbina in relation to illness and grief, and it was prepared by Aisha (RA) for members of her family.

It is creamy, simple and very easy to make. You can have it plain, sweeten it with honey or dates, or add fruit, nuts, seeds and spices. I get mine 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.

Recipe Snapshot

TASTE: Mild, creamy and slightly nutty from the barley.


TEXTURE: Creamy porridge, easily adjusted to be thicker or thinner.


EFFORT: Very easy.


TIME: 5 minutes.


SERVES: 1.


BEST FOR: Breakfast, Suhoor or a simple snack.


DIETARY: Vegetarian. Can be made vegan with plant-based milk.
NOTE: Barley contains gluten.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• 5 minutes from start to finish - This is one of those breakfasts you can make without much thought.
• Just 2 main ingredients - Barley flour and milk are all you need for the basic recipe.
• Easy to make your own - Keep it simple or add fruit, dates, nuts, seeds and spices.
• A food with a history - Talbina has a place in the Sunnah and has been prepared in Muslim homes for generations.
• Properly filling breakfast - Barley brings fibre and substance, while the toppings can take it in whatever direction you fancy.

What is Talbina?

Talbina is a barley-based food traditionally made using ground barley.

Today, you'll find many versions of Talbina. Some are made with water, some with milk and some with a mixture of the two. Some use plain barley flour, while others use roasted barley flour.

Traditionally it is made with Roast Barley Flour (As Saweeq/Sattu) and Water. However nowadays, it is consumed as a Porridge with Milk and has a thicker consistency than the original version that is made with Water.

Talbina Flour can be made from Flaked Barley, Pearl Barley, Pot Barley, Hulled Barley, Barley Flour or Roast Barley Flour. 

Talbina once ground 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.

The version I'm sharing here is the quick breakfast-style Talbina I make with finely ground barley flour and milk.

Because the barley is already ground, there is no soaking and no long cooking time. It comes together in about 5 minutes. Ground Barley is thought to be more beneficial in Islamic Medicine as it is more easily digested then whole Barley.

Talbina and the Sunnah

I first came across Talbina many years ago when I read about it in Ibn al-Qayyim's The Prophetic Medicine.

I was already interested in the food traditions around the Muslim world, but Talbina felt different because of its place within the Sunnah.

Aisha (RA) narrated that Talbina was prepared for members of her family when they experienced grief, and she reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described it as something that could soothe the heart of the sick person and lessen some of their sadness.

Ingredients in Talbina

You really only need 2 ingredients to make this recipe. They are:

Ingredients

Barley Flour

You need finely ground barley flour for this recipe.

I use Roohts Talbina, which is a convenient option because it is already finely ground and ready to use.

Milk

I use standard full fat milk, but you can use whichever milk you prefer.

You can also use water instead, or a mixture of milk and water.

Optional Additions

The basic recipe only needs barley flour and milk, but this is where you can have some fun.

Sweetener

Honey, date syrup, maple syrup or chopped dates.

Spices

Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, saffron or nutmeg.

You could also add a little Chai Masala for a warming, spiced version.

Fruit

Bananas, berries, figs, grapes, dates or stewed fruit.

Nuts & Seeds

Walnuts, pecans, almonds, flax seeds, black seeds or sunflower seeds.

Nut or Seed Butter

Tahini, peanut butter or almond butter all work well.

Chocolate

A little chopped dark chocolate melted into the hot Talbina is very good.

How to Make Talbina in 2 EASY steps

For the full recipe with ingredient measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page:

Step 1 - Mix the barley flour and milk
Add the barley flour and milk to a small saucepan and whisk until smooth.

2. Cook

Place over low heat and cook for around 3-5 minutes, whisking regularly, until thick and creamy.

Add a splash more milk or water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Add any sweetener or spices towards the end of cooking.

3. Serve

Pour into a bowl and add your favourite toppings.
That's it.

Making Talbina with whole Barley

Whole Barley comes in 3 main forms:

• Hulled barley - This is wholegrain. The outer shell is removed from the grain. 
• Pearl barley - This is polished and the outer husk and bran layers have been removed. 
• Pot barley - This is is less processed in comparison to pearl barley but not as chewy as hulled barley.

To use whole Barley (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. You can also grind whole Barley to make a powder and then make the Talbina from that.

Whilst whole Barley is very nutritious, for ease we use ground Barley Flour so the Porridge is ready to eat in 5 minutes. 

How to make Talbina 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.

Can I Use Roasted Barley Flour?

Yes.

Roasted barley flour, also known as jau ka sattu, gives Talbina a deeper, toastier and slightly sweeter flavour.

It can be cooked using the same basic method. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly depending on the flour.

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).

Recipe Notes

Keep the heat low

Barley flour thickens quickly, so there is no need for high heat. Keep it low and whisk regularly.

Adjust the consistency

Talbina thickens as it cooks and will continue to thicken slightly as it sits.

If it becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of milk or water.

Make it your own

The basic Talbina is intentionally quite plain. Think of it like porridge: the toppings are where you can change things up.

Variations

Date & Cardamom Talbina

Add chopped Medjool dates and a little ground cardamom while cooking.

Cinnamon & Honey Talbina

Keep it simple with cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.

Berry Talbina

Top with fresh berries, chopped nuts and a little honey.

Chocolate Talbina

Stir chopped dark chocolate into the hot porridge until melted, then top with banana or berries.

Tahini & Date Talbina

Add tahini and chopped dates for a richer version.

Serving Suggestions

I usually keep Talbina fairly simple and add a few toppings rather than turning it into a completely different breakfast.

Some combinations I like:

• Dates + cardamom + walnuts
• Berries + honey + pecans
• Banana + tahini + cinnamon
• Stewed fruit (Compote) + nuts
• Dark chocolate + banana
• Honey + cinnamon

It also makes a lovely Suhoor option during Ramadan, particularly when you want something warm and quick.

Storage & Reheating

Talbina is best eaten fresh.

If you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

It will become much thicker in the fridge.

To reheat, warm gently on the hob or in the microwave and stir through a little milk or water until it reaches your preferred consistency.

FAQs

Is Talbina gluten free?

No. Talbina is made from barley, and barley contains gluten.

Is Talbina vegan?

The basic recipe can be made vegan by using water or a suitable plant-based milk instead of dairy milk.

Can I make Talbina with water?

Yes. You can use water instead of milk, or use a combination of the two.

How long does Talbina take to cook?

This recipe takes around 5 minutes because it uses finely ground barley flour.

What does Talbina taste like?

Talbina has a mild, slightly nutty barley flavour. Milk gives it a creamy texture, while dates, honey, spices and toppings can change the flavour quite a bit.

Can I eat Talbina during Ramadan?

Yes. Talbina can be served as part of Suhoor or as a breakfast-style meal at any other time.

Can children eat Talbina?

Talbina contains barley and therefore gluten. If you're introducing it to a young child, or your child has a gluten-related condition or allergy, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional first.

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

Date and Peanut Butter Balls

More Barley Recipes:

Chicken & Barley Soup

Barley Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Mixed Seeds

Haleem

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