Brewer 138 Posted August 10, 2017 If a grain has 0 L diastatic power (for example, chocolate malt) does that mean that there is essentially no starch in the grain because of the way it has been kilned as well as no enzymes) and so if I add this to my wort should I expect no increase in gravity and "only" added color and flavor, or will the enzymes in the wort convert whatever starches are in the chocolate malt to fermentable sugars? Thanks, as always Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickBeer 6,360 Posted August 10, 2017 Zero diastatic power means the grains have no power to convert starch into sugar, in short, the enzymes are destroyed in the kilning process. Specialty malts, like Chocolate Malt, are used to enhance flavor, add color, and complexity to a beer. While there are no enzymes to convert sugars, there are some sugars. That's why people often add enough base malt to convert the sugars. The impact on gravity from using a specialty malt can be seen with a brewing calculator such as QBrew. Of course with something like Chocolate Malt you are adding very little to the overall batch, so the impact of the sugars is slight. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creeps McLane 7,437 Posted August 11, 2017 8 hours ago, Brewer said: If a grain has 0 L diastatic power (for example, chocolate malt) does that mean that there is essentially no starch in the grain because of the way it has been kilned as well as no enzymes) and so if I add this to my wort should I expect no increase in gravity and "only" added color and flavor, or will the enzymes in the wort convert whatever starches are in the chocolate malt to fermentable sugars? Thanks, as always Are you asking if you make a Mr beer recipe and then "mash" with the wort will it convert the grain with no diastatic power? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brewer 138 Posted August 11, 2017 @ Creeps McLane, Yes. Am I asking whether I can expect the gravity to rise if I add say 2-4 oz of chocolate malt to LME or if this wil simply add more flavor and color. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoshR 4,702 Posted August 11, 2017 43 minutes ago, Brewer said: @ Creeps McLane, Yes. Am I asking whether I can expect the gravity to rise if I add say 2-4 oz of chocolate malt to LME or if this wil simply add more flavor and color. No. It will only add flavor, color, and some complexity through body, mouthfeel, etc. There is some fermentable sugar in chocolate malt, but only trace amounts that won't really effect your gravity. The roasting process that makes chocolate malt destroys most of the fermentable sugars in the malt. This is true for all dark/black malts. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brewer 138 Posted August 11, 2017 Thank you. I was looking for color and flavor - and not to boost the gravity. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites