Il malt is an incredibly versatile product and comes in one great variety of foods: vinegar, beer, cereals and much more.
It is traditionally used as flavor enhancer, to sweeten, as natural improver in bread making and has been associated withseveral benefits for health such as mood enhancement, heart health and good digestion.
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WHAT IS THAT?
Malt is a type of cereals, such as barley, which has undergone a drying process known as malting.
The cereal grain is first soaked in water to germinate, then dried with hot air to stop germination.
This process causes the grain to develop some enzymes necessary to break starches into shorter chains of sugars; other enzymes produced in this process help break down the protein in the wheat into smaller amino acids, which can be used by the yeast.
WHAT TASTE DOES MALT HAVE?
Malted grains have a sweet taste, which is often described as similar to hazelnut and caramel; this makes them a suitable choice as ingredients for many foods and food products.
Furthermore, these grains are considered essential for the process production of beer and whiskey.
TYPES OF MALT
Malt can be divided into several categories:
- non-diastatic malt: the active enzymes were deactivated by heat during processing;
- diastatic malt: contains active enzymes;
- base malt: provides fermentable sugars, which already contain nourishment for the yeast; this malt must be pressed during fermentation to break down complex sugars into smaller units;
- special malts: These types of malt are used to impart a unique flavor and aroma to beers and products and are treated with heat, which helps break down the cup sugar without pressing.
BENEFITS
- Contains many nutrients: some research shows that malted cereals are a source of important nutrients; among these we have: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, food silicon (supports bones), B complex vitamins and micro-minerals.
- Supports digestive health: Malt extract facilitates the growth of probiotic cultures that can improve digestive health by supporting the good bacteria that line the gut. The health of the gut microbiome can positively affect immune functions and nutrient absorption.
- Promotes the production of good cholesterol: Malt can benefit heart health by helping to reduce levels of cholesterol bad and increasing those of good cholesterol.
- Improve your mood: malt has a positive effect on mood and mental health thanks to order, a natural compound responsible for mood-elevating effects due to its ability to activate dopamine receptors in the brain.
- Improve digestibility: the malting process can help increase the digestibility of cereals by reducing the content of anti-nutrients. Anti-nutrients are compounds that reduce the body's ability to digest and absorb certain nutrients. In addition, malting reduces the levels of tannins and phytates, two anti-nutrients that interfere with nutrient absorption.
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