The effect of steeping time on the final malt quality of buckwheat

To determine the effect of steeping time on final buckwheat malt quality, buckwheat was steeped for three different times resulting in three different out-of-steep moisture contents: 7 h steeping (35%), 13 h steeping (40%) and 80 h steeping (45%). An increased steeping time increased malting losses, total beta-amylase activity and Kolbach index. On the contrary total nitrogen, friability and viscosity of consequent congress worts were decreased. A maximum alpha-amylase activity was found in buckwheat malted with an out-of-steep moisture content of 45%. Beta-amylase existed in a soluble and latent form in buckwheat. The latent form was solubilised during malting. In addition extra beta-amylase was produced. In general the optimum out-of-steep moisture content for buckwheat is between 35 to 40%, which is a compromise between attaining the desired malt quality and minimising malting loss.