Torrefying wheat?

[Jeltz]

I went to the LHBS yesterday and asked about torrefied wheat and they said that they couldn't get any as their wholesaler no longer stocks it (nor malted wheat). The offered me some "Head powder" instead but I didn't like the sound of that!

They did have a few packets of wheat which appears to be unmalted, not roasted, nor crushed nor had anything else done to it. It was cheap so I picked up a packet, now I could well be wrong but I understand that torrefied means that it has been heated to pop the grains like popcorn.

So my question is; we have a popcorn machine if i chucked some wheat in it would it torrefy the stuff or be a complete waste of time?

[Wolfy]

Torrified Wheat has been heat treated (think "popped") which modifies the cell structure and makes it easier to gelatanize when added to the mash. You should be able to find it, or flaked wheat or another similar product (unmalted wheat that has been heated/processed) - that will work just as well - in the supermarket or health food shop. I think that would be an easier/better option than trying to pop-wheat yourself (but I've never tried that either).

[Beer O'Clock]

Then offered me some "Head powder" instead but I didn't like the sound of that!

That sounds like the stuff you should give to a girlfriend

[alix101]

Make it watch the fog...it terrified me as a kid

[Matt12398]

Then offered me some "Head powder" instead but I didn't like the sound of that!

That sounds like the stuff you should give to a girlfriend

[Jeltz]

yep it certainly does

Anyway the local healthfood shop has malted wheat flakes which might be OK and in the meantime I'm going to see what happens with wheat in a popcorn maker

[seymour]

Torrified Wheat is theoretically a little more fermentable, but I use plain ol' unmalted wheat all the time to great effect, especially with a simple multi-step mash. Even retail bags of "Bulgar Wheat" or "cracked wheat" from International markets or Middle-Eastern food stores work fine and is typically much cheaper than homebrew stores.

[Jeltz]

Well I just ran 100g of wheat through the popcorn maker. It certainly popped although not in the spectacular way popping corn does, but has a sweet roasted smell.

Is torrefied wheat as used in the mash also crushed or just "popped"?

[CestrIan]

I tried to torrefy some wheat in the microwave once and it melted the bowl, but I would go for it if I had a popcorn maker. The torry wheat I usually get is crushed though, but I don't think it really matters. The starch is gelatinised so it's easy access for the enzymes in the mash.

If you manage to get hold of any head powder, I've got a great recipe for Columbian Pale Ale!