2 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:
Eaten? John Barleycorn must die!
Yes, it is used in soups and congees made from mixed grains. It is also drunk, but as a form of "tea". Roasted barley is steeped in boiling water. It isn't often, if ever, used in alcoholic drinks. China generally prefers rice, sorghum or millet for those.
This is the roasted barley sold as 大麦茶 (dà mài chá) which means "barley tea".