Barley Water with Mint (Kykeon)
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Barley groats — 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Water — 1 L (4 1/4 cups)
- Fresh mint leaves — a handful
- Honey — 2 tbsp
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Method
- Simmer the barley groats in the water for 12-15 minutes until softened.
- Strain, reserving the barley water and discarding or saving the softened grains for another use.
- Stir the honey and lemon juice into the warm barley water until dissolved.
- Add the mint leaves and let steep for a few minutes.
- Strain again if a clear drink is preferred, and serve warm or chilled.
Introduction: A refreshing barley and herb drink, best known from Homer’s Iliad, offered here in its everyday, non-ceremonial form.
Cultural Background: Kykeon, meaning ‘mixture’, appears in Homer as a drink of barley meal, grated cheese, and wine, and was also central to the secret rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries in a variant recipe. This everyday version keeps the barley and herbs without the ritual ingredients.
Tips: Bruise the mint leaves slightly before steeping to release more flavour.
Variations: A little grated hard cheese can be whisked in for a closer approximation of Homer’s original description.
Nutrition: Approx. 90 kcal per serving.
FAQs:
Q: Is this the same drink from the Eleusinian Mysteries?
A: It shares its name and barley base, but the ritual version used in the Mysteries is not fully known and is not reproduced here.
Q: Was kykeon alcoholic?
A: The Homeric version included wine, but many everyday versions, like this one, were not.
- Barley groats — 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Water — 1 L (4 1/4 cups)
- Fresh mint leaves — a handful
- Honey — 2 tbsp
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
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