Article: Beer-making, Biology of

Beer-making, Biology of

Beer is made by fermentation of grains, principally barley ( Hordeum vulgare ). Other grains, including wheat and rice, may be added to develop particular flavors. The grain is first allowed to germinate by soaking it in water. As part of its germination process, the grain produces amylase enzymes that break down the starches of the endosperm (part of the seed) into sugars. At a certain point, germination is halted by rapidly drying the grain, in a process called kilning, to produce "malt." More prolonged kilning produces a darker beer. The malt is then ground and mixed with more water to reactivate the amylases and complete the liberation of the sugars.

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