MASH TUN Meaning and
Definition
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A mash tun is a vessel used in the process of brewing beer or other fermented beverages. It is a key component of the mashing process, which involves the conversion of starches in the grains into fermentable sugars.
Typically made of stainless steel or copper, a mash tun is designed to hold and mix the grains with hot water to create a thick, porridge-like mixture known as the mash. It consists of a large cylindrical or rectangular container with a false bottom or sieve-like screen at its base.
The process begins by adding milled grains, usually malted barley, into the mash tun. Hot water, known as strike water, is then added to the grains to create a slurry. The water temperature is carefully controlled to activate enzymes naturally present in the grains, which break down the starches into sugars.
As the mash rests in the tun, additional hot water is added in a process called sparging to extract as much sugar as possible from the grains. This involves rinsing and washing the grains with hot water to dissolve and collect the remaining sugars.
Once the mashing process is complete, the sugary liquid called wort is drawn off from the mash tun through the false bottom or screen, leaving behind the spent grains. The wort is then transferred to the fermentation vessel, where yeast is added to begin fermentation and ultimately produce alcoholic beverages such as beer.
Etymology of MASH TUN
The word "mash tun" has its origins in brewing, specifically in the process of mashing, which involves steeping grains in hot water to extract sugars for fermentation. The term "mash" comes from the Old English word "mæsc" or "mæscre", meaning "soft or mixed food", and the Old Norse word "maska", meaning "to mix or knead".
The word "tun" in this context refers to a large vessel or container in which the mashing process takes place. "Tun" derives from the Old English word "tunne", which originally meant "a large round cask" and later came to encompass any large container. The term "tun" can be traced back further to the Proto-Germanic word "tunnuz".
