Grain
Grain
Job’s tears grain is the hulled or pearled seed of coix (yi yi ren in Chinese medicine and cooking)—plump, white to ivory kernels cooked like barley or pearl barley. Texture is chewy when whole, softer when pearled; flavour is mild, faintly sweet, and nutty. They hold shape in soups, congee, and grain bowls better than many white rices. Rinse, then simmer in water or stock until tender (often 40–60 minutes depending on polish). Pair with beans, squash, and chicken in Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes, or brew as a cooling drink after a long cook and strain. Soft-shell ornamental “tears” are a different, harder type—buy food-grade polished grain for the kitchen.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 2.65 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.51 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.17 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 4.98 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 73.3 g
- Dietary Fibre 5.84 g
- Total Sugars 1.03 g
- Complex / starch 59.1 g
- Protein 9.88 g
- Water 12.5 g
- Energy 338 kcal
- Water 12.5 g
- Carbohydrates 73.3 g
- Protein 9.88 g
- Fat 2.65 g
- Saturated Fat 0.5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.51 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.17 g
- Omega-3 0.12 g
- Vitamins 61.9 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.34 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 4.51 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.67 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.28 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.3 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 32.7 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.86 mg
- Vitamin K 2.1 µg
- Minerals 330 mg
- Major Minerals 329 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.34 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.11 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 4.51 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.67 · vitamin-b6: 0.28 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.3 · vitamin-b9-folate: 32.7 · vitamin-e: 0.86 · vitamin-k: 2.1 ·
Minerals
Grain of Job's Tears: composition reflects this culinary part relative to the whole ingredient.
History
Grain was separated in markets and kitchens as cooks specialised prep by plant or animal part.
Retail packing made grain a familiar labelled form for home cooks.