Pale Barley Malt: Steeped, Floored and Kiln-Dried, Ure 1839

Malt is barley made to sprout and then dried: the sprouting turns its starch soft and partly sweet, ready for brewing. Andrew Ure (1839): steep the barley about two days, heap it on a stone floor until it sweats and sprouts, spread and turn it twice a day for about two weeks, then dry it on a gentle kiln. Good malt crumbles to white meal and floats on water. The picture: barley spread on a malting floor.