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Mashing

53 bytes added, 02:42, 24 July 2006
[[image:Mash_tun.jpg|right|thumb|A Simple Mash Tun]]
''Mashing'' is a step in the [[Processes|brewing process]] that combines crushed [[Malts]] with hot water in a [[Mash Tun|mash tun]] to convert complex starches into simple sugars that are more readily fermented. There are many variations of mashing, but the ''single infusion mash'' described below is easily done with home equipment, and suitable for most popular beer styles. During the [[Malting Process|malting process]] barley grains develop many enzymes that are needed for mashing. These enzymes, when heated with water in the ''mash'', react with the starches in the malt and produce ''maltose''. Maltose is a favorite food for yeast during fermentation. After the mashing process, hot water is used to extract the sugars from the grain in a process called [[sparging]] to produce a sweet liquid called ''[[wort]]'' for brewing.