Grain
Job's Tears
Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) is an Asian cereal grass with plump, tear-shaped grains used in soups, teas, porridges, and bead-like soft-cooked sides. Culinary soft-shelled types differ from hard ornamental beads. Flavour is mild, slightly sweet, and corn-like. Common in Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cookery as yi yi ren / hato mugi.
Also known as: Yi yi ren / Yami, Hato mugi, Yulmu, Ý dĩ, Duay
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Breeds, cuts & preparations
Variety
Coix lacryma-jobiCoix lacryma-jobi ma-yuenCulinary AdlayHard Bead TypeHato MugiSoft-shelled Job's TearsYi Yi Ren
Source
Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild
Provenance
BiodynamicFair TradeHeirloomLocally GrownNon-GMOOrganicRegenerativeSeasonalSingle OriginStone GroundWhole Grain
Preparation
BoiledCrackedDriedFermentedFlakedFlourFreshGritsGroundHulledMaltedMealParboiledPearledPolishedPowderRoastedRolledSoakedSproutedSteamedToastedWhole
CommonCharacteristic
ChewyCleanCorn-likeDelicateEarthyMildSoftSweet
History
CN
Job's tears were cultivated in East Asia as food grain and traditional decoction ingredient.
JP
Hato mugi entered Japanese food and tea culture as a nourishing grain.
Soft-shelled culinary strains were distinguished more clearly from hard bead types.
Specialty Asian groceries and health markets expanded Job's tears globally.