EWA Scotch Diploma - Raw Materials - Module 3 Flashcards
What are 6 types of water sources for distilliers in Scotland?
- Lochs
- Springs
- Burns or Rivers
- Wells
- Boreholes
- Mains
What quality parameters are considered for Steeping & Mashing when making Scotch Whisky?
- pH
- Microbiological Purity
- Water Hardness / Mineral content
What quality parameters are considered for Dilution when making Scotch Whisky?
- pH
- Hardness
- Volume
- Temperature
- Microbnial Content
Why is it good to know the hardness level of the mashing water?
The mashing water used can influence the fermentation, depending upon the hardness levels and ions present. While there is some evidence to show that softer water = heavier new make spirit and harder water = cleaner/sweeter new make spirit, it is difficult to prove.
What four key parts of the production process is water used for?
- Steeping
- Mashing
- Cooling
- Dilution.
The three key areas of consideration for malted barley
- Growth & Harvesting
- Variety Development
- Testing
Where is the majoprity of Barley harvested for distillation in the UK and why?
Most barley is grown down teh eastre side of teh UK
There is the preffered soil types for growing barley and there is less rainfall than the western side.
When is Barley harvested?
Barley is harvested in the second half of July and August in southern England and East Anglia.
4-6 weeks later in Scotland
What are some of the characteristics used to identify the different Barley maltings are?
- Nerve Pigment & Colouring
- Spicules
- Grain Shape
- Rachilla in Ventral Crease
What are key factors when choosing a Barley?
- Cost effective
- Bold grain
- Appropriate nitrogen levels
- Good germinative ability
- Pure variety
- Reliable supply
- Suitable storage
What is the best Barley for Malting?
a homingeniuos bulk with bold and even grains
Why is it important to have grains of the same size when maliting Barley?
Grains of the same size will hydrate and process at the same rate, leading to more homogenious malt.
Who controls the rigorous breeding and testing system in the UK for Malted Barley
Agricultue and Horticulture Development Board
AHDB
What conditions are required for safe extended periods of storgae of barley?
Less that 12% Moisture
Less than 15*C Temp
What Moisture level is the Barley rasied to during the steeping process?
43-47% Moisture
Why is the moisture level incrreease during the steeping proceess?
So that Germination is initiated.
This will release the enzymes that will convert Starch to Sugar in teh grain and make that suagr available for fermentation into alcohol.
Hydration in the grain is dependant on what four key paramaters?
- Water Temperature
- Grain Size
- Variety
- Viability
Discribing the parts of the Barley Grain,
What is the Embryo?
the living part of the grain, somtimes called teh germ; it is the baby plant.
Discribing the parts of the Barley Grain,
What is the Micropyle?
The structure at teh embryo end of teh corn that allows water to flow into the grain.
Discribing the parts of the Barley Grain,
What is the Micropyle?
The endosperm is the food reserve for the embryo. It is a hard structure consisting of starch molecules ( long chains or sugar molecules) embedded within a protien matrix all surrounded by cell walls.
Discribing the parts of the Barley Grain,
What is the Husk?
the Husk is teh ‘skin’ that surrounds and proteects the Barley.
What is the hormone that the embryo releases at the start of germination?
A hormonee called Gibberellic Acid,
known as GA3
What is Malting Loss?
That is the starch that was broken down into sugars and was used for root and shoot growth.
(Therefore not used for fermintation.)
What is an acrospire?
This is thee shoot for the new plant.
It starts to grow during the germination step.
