Job’s Tears/coix seeds

Job’s Tears/coix seeds

Job’s Tears are seeds of a tropical grass native to Malaysia and East Asia. Also called coix seed or Chinese pearl barley, Job’s Tears is a nutty, gluten-free grain found in Asian grocery stores and in Chinese herbal boutiques. Although unrelated to barley, Job’s Tears is often confused with barley due to its white color, spherical shape, and brownish groove on the side. However, Job’s Tears is naturally gluten-free. Seed of Job’s Tears is about twice the size of barley.

In China, Job’s Tears are called yì rén (薏仁) or yì mǐ (薏米) and are touted for

its medicinal properties. According to Chinese medicine, Job’s Tears are said to be “cooling” and can be used to balance the body, particularly after eating “hot” foods, including spicy, fried or barbequed foods. Job’s Tears are also traditionally used to treat cough, asthma, edema, urinary problems and arthritis.

Scientific research has been limited to Eastern countries but it seems that Job’s Tears contains chemicals that can protect against cancer by inhibiting cancer cell growth. These benefits extend to the gastrointestinal system and seem to be protective against stomach ulcers and gastric cancer cells. Job’s Tears are also reported as being able to reverse osteoporosis, aid in weight loss, and reduce harmful LDL cholesterol that can increase risk for future heart disease. Despite the encouraging preliminary data, more evidence from human trials are needed before any conclusions can be made on Job’s Tears’ medicinal efficacy.

Beyond its medicinal properties, Job’s Tears is a nutritious grain. One serving (50 g or 1/3 cup of uncooked Job’s Tears) has 190 calories, 33 g of carbohydrate, 7.5 g of protein, 5.7 g of fiber. Compared to long-grain white rice (which has 205 calories, 45 g of carbohydrate, 4 g of protein, 1 g of fiber), Job’s Tears is notably lower in sugar, higher in protein, higher in fiber, and higher in micronutrients; especially iron, copper and manganese. The higher protein levels may increase satiety, which means you will feel full for longer. The higher fiber content will help with maintaining healthy bowel movements and may also help reduce bad cholesterol levels, meaning Job’s Tears may be a good heart-healthy addition to your pantry!

Job’s Tears are great additions to soups, congees and desserts. One of the simplest and most popular ways to prepare Job’s Tears in China is to boil it in water and transform it into a drink. This is called yì mí shǔi (薏米水) in Chinese, which translates literally into Job’s Tears water. To prepare this drink, soak raw Job’s Tears in water at a ratio of roughly 1:10 seed: water ratio for an hour and then boil in the same water for another hour. You can add honey or sugar for taste, or even a splash of lemon for some tangy freshness. This drink can be served hot or chilled.

Sophia Chiu, MS Human Nutrition

Photo from here.