This sweet Barley and Candied Winter Melon Drink is the perfect antidote to hot summer days. Both barley and winter melon are said to have cooling properties.
Finally the sultry days of summer are upon us, complete with high temperatures and humidity. The mercury is expected to climb to the nineties later this week. To combat the heat, this sweet Barley and Candied Winter Melon Drink is the perfect antidote. Both barley and dried winter melon are considered to have a cooling influence by the Chinese.
Growing up in Malaysia, I had many, many cups of this cool and refreshing drink. While it may be served warm, I much prefer it chilled. Mom often made a huge pot of it and kept it chilled in jugs or bottles in the refrigerator. Fragrant pandan leaves, a Southeast Asian enhancement to the Chinese original, were included to give the drink added flavor. For people who prefer the drink without the barley grains and strips of winter melon, these may be strained out.
Barley and Candied Winter Melon Drink
Ingredients
- ½ cup pearled barley or hulled barley (100g)
- 1 cup candied winter melon (120g)
- 8 cups water (2 liters)
- 2 pandan leaves (rinse and knotted)
- Sugar to taste**
Instructions
- Rinse and soak barley for 30 minutes. Drain.
- Place barley, candied winter melon, water, and pandan leaves in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for an hour.
- Remove and allow to cool. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Belinda @zomppa says
That’s not something you get often here – it’s been so hot, I could use this!
Victoria says
This is so unique! I’m definitely intrigued. Always looking for a fun new refreshing summer drink 🙂
Julie M. says
That looks so refreshing Biren! I could go for a big glass right about now; it’s pretty darn hot down here already. 🙂
Zoe says
I love this drink too. It can be served warm for winter too.
rebecca says
lovely drink I had bitter melon in a Japanese restaurant once so tasty
Biren says
I have never tried a bitter melon drink. Sounds interesting!
sangeeta says
This looks like gorgeous drink . I love pearl barley ans use it profusely and this drink looks perfect for me.
The winter melon candy looks like the Indian Petha , is it so ?
Biren says
I did a check on the internet and from the description it sounds similar. I think you should be able to use it. 🙂
Roxana GreenGirl says
I love reading your posts. every time I learn something new. Never heard about candied melon before but your drink sounds refreshing, perfect for a hot summer day
Thanks for sharing Biren
Blackswan says
Love making this drink too. Whenever I make these, it reminds me of my younger days where mum used to prepare this for my family 🙂
Thks for bringing back the old charm!
prathibha says
first time here..u hv a nice space here…lovely healthy drink
Biren says
Hi Prathibha! So nice of you to visit. Hope you will visit agai soon. 🙂
Anncoo says
Biren, I love this barley and candied winter melon。We called 糖冬瓜意米水 in Cantonese but most of the time we only finished the barley water and candied winter melon…not to waste the cooked barley I will throw it into agar agar with egg drop as a sweet dessert.
Biren says
Yes, we call it that too in KL or the Hokkien equivalent. Your agar-agar with egg drop and barley sounds interesting. Is it on your blog?
Anncoo says
No I only posted the egg drop agar agar about a week ago without barley but I did a post Black and White agar agar in 2009 using barley water. http://anncoojournal.blogspot.com/2009/04/black-and-white-agar-agar-pudding_70.html
Biren says
Thanks Ann! I will check it out soon. I love all your agar-agar creations. They are all so gorgeous and so good for the hot summer days.
Angie's Recipes says
My mom loves to prepare a similar drink for us in summer time. So good to have a large glass after a nap in hot humid summer afternoon!
Biren says
Thta is so true Angie. Humid afternoons make one sleepy and a nice refreshing drink and nap sounds good. 🙂
Jeannie says
Great cooling drink for hot days! I love eating the candied melon on its own too:P
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I’ve never seen winter melon (does it have another name?) let alone a candied version. This looks very, very refreshing though.
Biren says
It is sometimes referred to as melon candy and some strips may have a slightly greenish color like that of honey dew melon. I bought this candied winter melon in Malaysia. Please refer to this post http://www.rotinrice.com/2010/05/sweet-barley-and-ginkgo-nut-soup/ for a picture of the ones that can be found here at the Asian grocery stores.
Pam says
This is very unique. I love barley but can’t quite imagine what this drink would taste like. It does look refreshing though and perfect for our hot summer day here. I’ve got an award for you on my blog today.
Biren says
This drink is sweet and most refreshing when chilled.
Thank you so much for thinking of me. I will check out the award soon. 🙂
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner says
This looks incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. I have to try it. Thank you!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Cheah says
We desperately need this cooling drink right now to combat the hot weather!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
Hi Biren! I can imagine drinking this in hot and humid weather and cool off… I need to check this candied winter melon in the Asian store that I go to. The picture will really help! It’s so cold here today and I really wish I live in your area. It’s hard to believe we live in a same country… One place is like summer one place is like fall/winter weather…
Priti says
Look so gud n refreshing …love it
tigerfish says
We are still experiencing showers here in CA! I hope to get some sun here soon!
Long time since I have drank barley with candied winter melon in it.
Adora's Box says
I love munching those winter melon sweets. I never knew that they can be made into drinks. You are so lucky to have summery weather. The sun comes and goes where we are. Sad.
Kate says
Wow, this sounds so refreshing and good! I wonder how it’d be with candied ginger in place of the winter melon, since it’s hard to get candied winter melon where I am…
Magic of Spice says
Looks very refreshing and very unique to me 🙂
Jill@MadAboutMacarons says
Gosh, Biren. This looks so refreshingly different. I can just imagine how this hits the spot in that heat. Good luck in those rising temperatures! Cheers to you.
kitchen flavours says
A delicious and refreshing ‘evergreen’ drink! Love it warm and love it cold too! One glass is always not enough! 🙂
Juliana says
How interesting this recipe of barley and winter melon…never thought is using the sugary winter melon to make a drink…it sure looks very refreshing. Hope you are having a great week Biren 🙂
Lyndsey ~The Tiny Skillet~ says
Wow you are already reaching the 90s? I think you are warmer than we are 😀
This drink is new to me. I love finding out new and interesting things from you…I just wish I could grab it off the screen and try it!
Biren says
The temperature hit 100 degress today! Spring was so cool and then all of a sudden it is so HOT! Big swing in temps as it is suppose to cool down to the 60’s this weekend.
Daisy o Carl says
Seems Delicious Want to try 😀
Baking Serendipity says
Living in Phoenix, I am always game for a cool-you-off kind of drink. This one looks like nothing I’ve had before…in a good way 🙂 Definitely will be giving it a shot this summer…thank you!
Shu han says
that was my mum’s weekly concoction because it’s just so hot in singapore (: