From the YummyYucky team, founded by Nancy Nash

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Can Babies Eat Job's Tears? Yes, Cooked Soft

Q: When can babies have Job's tears?

From around 6 months, cooked very soft as a smooth porridge, then thicker as your baby handles more texture.

Q: Is Job's tears a choking risk?

Firm, chewy grains can be tricky, so cook it well past tender and mash or blend it so no whole grains are left, and keep doing that until about age 4.

Also known as coix.

Job's tears is a chewy grain, also called coix, that is not one of the gluten grains. Cooked very soft and mashed, it works from around 6 months as a smooth porridge.

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When to introduce: Around 6 months
Common allergen?: Not a top-9 allergen; not one of the gluten grains
Texture: Cooked very soft, smooth porridge or soft grain
Key nutrients: Fiber, plant protein, minerals

Can babies eat Job's tears? Yes. From around 6 months, once you have cooked it down until it is very soft, Job's tears is a lovely grain to add to the rotation.¹ Also called coix or Chinese pearl barley, it has been a staple across East Asia for generations. It is a close cousin of corn rather than of wheat or barley,⁵ which makes it likely to be safe for people who avoid gluten,⁴ so it slots in nicely alongside oats and rice. The one thing to know: Job's tears stay chewy by nature, so young babies need it cooked well past the point you would eat it yourself, then mashed or blended into a smooth porridge.¹

Prep School: how to prepare job's tears for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées

🍴 Baby-led weaning

6 monthsLoose grains are hard to pick up early on, so mash or pulse very soft-cooked Job's tears so no whole grains are left, mix them into a thick mash or scoop, and let baby bring a loaded spoon to their own mouth.

9 monthsOffer soft, sticky clumps of well-cooked Job's tears that hold together enough to grab, mashed or pulsed first so no whole grains are left.

12 months+Serve soft-cooked Job's tears, mashed or pulsed so no whole grains are left, alongside family meals as small clumps or mixed into patties, keeping salt low. Keep mashing or pulsing them until about age 4.

🥄 Purées

6 monthsBlend very soft-cooked Job's tears into a smooth porridge, thinning with breast milk, formula, or water to a spoonable texture.

9 monthsMash rather than fully blend for a thicker porridge with a little more texture as baby handles more.

12 months+Stir soft-cooked Job's tears, mashed or pulsed so no whole grains are left, into thicker purees, stews, and family dishes, going easy on the salt. Keep mashing or pulsing them until about age 4.

Are job's tears safe? Choking & prep

Job's tears is not a common allergen and has no special hazard beyond texture.³ Because the grains stay firm and chewy, and whole cooked grain kernels can be a choking hazard,² cook them well past tender and mash or blend them so there are no firm pieces,¹ and keep doing that until about age 4, since the USDA lists whole-grain kernels among the foods that cause choking in children under 4.⁹ Keep added salt very low, since babies need very little.⁷

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Nutrition

Job's tears brings some fiber, a modest amount of plant protein, and minerals to a grain rotation,⁶ and since it is not a gluten grain like wheat or barley,⁴ it is a handy swap when you want to vary the grains beyond rice and oats. Like most whole grains it is not a complete meal on its own, so it shines paired with iron- and fat-rich foods that round out a baby's plate. Serving a mix of grains over the week helps expose your baby to different textures and flavors early.

Goes well with

Mashed banana or soft pear stirred into the porridge · A spoonful of full-fat yogurt for richness · Iron-rich lentils or shredded soft-cooked chicken · Sweet potato or pumpkin puree · A drizzle of nut or seed butter thinned in

Storage & freezing

Keep cooked Job's tears in a sealed container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days, or freeze portions for about 1 to 2 months;⁸ reheat until steaming and cool before serving.

More grains to explore

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Jollof rice~6 to 9 months, when ready for mixed textures

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KamutAround 6 months

🥣

KashaAround 6 months

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KhichdiAround 6 months

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Kodo millet6 months+

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KoshariAround 12 months

Common questions

When can babies have Job's tears?

From around 6 months,¹ cooked very soft as a smooth porridge, then thicker as your baby handles more texture.

Does Job's tears contain gluten?

It is not one of the gluten grains. Job's tears is closely related to corn, so it is considered likely safe for people with celiac disease, though it has not been formally tested in them.⁴ That makes it a good grain to rotate in alongside oats and rice.

Is Job's tears a choking risk?

Firm, chewy grains can be tricky,² so cook it well past tender and mash or blend it so no whole grains are left,¹ and keep doing that until about age 4.⁹

Is Job's tears the same as pearl barley?

They are often confused. Job's tears is sometimes called Chinese pearl barley or coix, but it is a different plant from true barley, a close cousin of corn and sorghum,⁵ and unlike barley it is not a gluten grain.⁴

How do I cook Job's tears for a baby?

Simmer it much longer than the package suggests, until the grains are very soft and squish easily, then mash or blend it so no whole grains are left: a smooth porridge for younger babies, a thicker one as they grow.

Do I need to soak Job's tears first?

Soaking for a few hours or overnight helps it cook down softer and faster, which is handy when you want a smooth porridge for a young baby.

Can Job's tears be baby's first grain?

It can, though many families start with iron-fortified oats or rice;¹ Job's tears is a nice addition once you are rotating grains.

What can I mix Job's tears with?

Mashed fruit, full-fat yogurt, iron-rich lentils or soft chicken, and vegetables like sweet potato or pumpkin all pair well and round out the meal.

How much Job's tears should I give my baby?

There is no set amount at this age; offer a small serving alongside other foods and let your baby's appetite guide how much they eat.

Can I store leftover cooked Job's tears?

Yes, keep it sealed in the fridge for 1 to 2 days or freeze portions for about 1 to 2 months,⁸ reheating until steaming and cooling before serving.

Sources

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Last updated September 2026. Next review December 2026. How we write these: built from current published guidance from the AAP, CDC, FDA/EPA, NIAID, WHO, and other pediatric and public-health authorities, with sources cited on the page. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these, and how we double-check the food advice.

This is general information, not medical advice, and is not individualized for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

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