A top fermented beer was brewed from 100% buckwheat malt and sensory and analytical characterisation was carried out. Difficulties with lautering and filtration were encountered during the brewing process, which resulted in problems during fermentation and beer filtration. The beer was evaluated in the fresh and forced aged state for the following attributes: odour, purity of taste, mouthfeel, tingling, and bitterness. Analytical results indicated that the buckwheat beer compared quite closely to a typical wheat beer with regard to pH, FAN, fermentability and total alcohol. However, the extract of the buckwheat wort was lower, resulting in a final extract yield of 54.5%. GC analysis of the resultant beer revealed commonly encountered levels of the esters that give beer a fruity character. A low level of fusel alcohols, in comparison to a typical wheat beer, was detected. A high level of ethyl caprinate (coconut flavour) and lauric acid (fatty odour) was detected. Sensory analysis indicated that the buckwheat beer was acceptable with regard to odour, purity of taste, mouthfeel, tingling and bitterness. In conclusion, results of this study prove buckwheat's qualification as a gluten-free brewing material and with process optimisation, its readiness for marketing.

This study investigated the impact of kilning on ␣-amylase, ␤-amylase (total and soluble), ␤-glucanase and protease activities in buckwheat malt. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) was steeped at 10°C for 12 h, germinated at 15°C for 4 days and kilned at 40°C for 48 h. Moisture content and enzymatic activities were determined throughout the kilning period. Results showed moisture content was reduced from 44% to 5% after 48 h of kilning at 40°C. ␤-Amylase was found to exist in a soluble and latent form in buckwheat. Maximum activity of (a) ␣-amylase, (b) total ␤-amylase, (c) soluble ␤-amylase, (d) ␤-glucanase and (e) protease activity occurred after (a) 8, (b) 7, (c) 30, (d) 0, and (e) 8 h of kilning, respectively. The final malt exhibited very little ␤-glucanase and cellulase activity. Proteolytic activity was low in buckwheat malt when compared to the barley malt control. All enzymatic activities were found to decrease during the kilning stage. Results indicated that after prolonged kilning at 40°C, inactivation of hydrolytic enzymes occurred; two-stage kilning for shorter periods is recommended. Although, amylolytic activity was low in malted buckwheat, buckwheat malt shows potential as an ingredient for the brewing and cereal industry.

No abstract