Torrefied Wheat - 500g

Torrefied Wheat is a unique form of wheat malt produced by heating raw wheat to cause the starches to gelatinize, making it easier to convert during mashing. It is unmalted but commonly used in brewing due to its specific properties. Here are the key characteristics:

Key Characteristics of Torrefied Wheat:

1. Foam Stability:

   • One of its primary uses is to enhance head retention and improve the foam quality of beer. The high protein content in torrefied wheat contributes to stable, lasting foam.

2. Light, Neutral Flavor:

   • Torrefied wheat has a clean, mild flavor compared to other grains. It has subtle wheat and bready characteristics, but it’s not as prominent as malted wheat in flavor. This makes it ideal for adding texture without overpowering the base flavors of the beer.

3. Improved Mouthfeel:

   • It contributes to a fuller, smoother mouthfeel in beers, often described as adding "creaminess." This quality makes it a great addition to beers that aim for a richer body, like wheat beers or creamy ales.

4. Color:

   • Since torrefied wheat is very lightly processed, it contributes very little color to the beer, maintaining a pale or golden hue. It typically has an EBC value of 2-4, similar to most base malts.

5. Protein Content:

   • Torrefied wheat has a high protein content, which not only helps with foam stability but can also create haze in beers, contributing to the characteristic cloudiness of wheat beers.

6. Unmalted Grain:

   • As it is unmalted, it requires the enzymatic action of other malted grains (like pale malt) during mashing to convert its starches into fermentable sugars. Brewers usually blend it with malted barley or malted wheat for efficient mashing.

Typical Uses:

• Wheat Beers (Hefeweizen, Witbier): Adds body, creaminess, and head retention without overpowering the delicate wheat flavor.
• Pale Ales and IPAs: Used in small quantities to improve foam stability and mouthfeel, without affecting the hop-forward flavor profiles.
• Belgian Ales: Helps in giving the beer a fuller mouthfeel and slightly hazy appearance.
• Cream Ales: Torrefied wheat is sometimes added for body and creaminess.

Torrefied wheat is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the texture, mouthfeel, and appearance of a wide range of beer styles while remaining neutral in flavor. Its role in stabilizing foam and adding smoothness makes it a valuable adjunct in many recipes.