Malt Extract
A dark brown, caramel-sweet syrup made by boiling sprouted barley (malt) in water and thickening its extract. Used in baking, beer production, and some drinks as a natural sweetener and fermentation aid.
What Is Malt Extract?
Malt extract is a syrup made by boiling sprouted (malted) barley in water, then filtering and thickening its extract. During germination, the barley's natural enzymes convert starch into fermentable sugars.
Its color is dark brown, its smell is caramel-like and grainy; it is sold in both syrup and dried powder form. It is the drinkable syrup form of malt, which is also the base raw material of beer production.
Nutritional Value of Malt Extract
100 grams of malt extract contains about 318 kcal of energy; it has a high carbohydrate ratio. Values vary between the syrup/powder form and are approximate.
How Should Malt Extract Be Consumed?
Malt extract is consumed as part of a balanced diet, used as a sweetener and dough additive, in moderate amounts.
This information is general; malt extract is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. People with gluten sensitivity should avoid barley-derived malt extract.
How to Choose Malt Extract?
A good malt extract is one with a dark brown color, a distinctly caramel-grainy smell, and a thick-flowing consistency.
- The color should be dark brown, not light-watery in appearance
- The smell should be distinctly caramel-grainy
- The consistency should be thick-flowing, not crystallized/sugared
How to Store Malt Extract?
Malt extract can be stored for a long time in a closed jar in a cool cupboard; thanks to its high sugar content, it is also relatively stable at room temperature.
Using Malt Extract in the Kitchen
Malt extract is most often used to feed the yeast and deepen the crust color in bread dough, added to the boiling water in some bagel recipes, and used in beer production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are malt extract and malt vinegar the same thing?
No; malt extract is a sweet syrup, while malt vinegar is this malt fermented and turned into an acetic acid vinegar. They are two different products.
Why is malt extract used in bagel recipes?
When added to the boiling water, it gives the bagel's exterior a characteristic glossy-dark crust and a mildly sweet taste.
Is malt extract found in Turkey?
It can be found in shops selling home-brewing supplies and some gourmet pastry supply sellers; it is not common.