What does malt kilning involve?

Malt kilning is a crucial step in the malting process, where the moisture content of the germinated barley is reduced by applying heat while allowing for ventilation. This process not only dries the malt but also develops the color and flavor characteristics of the malt through the Maillard reaction and caramelization. The specific temperature and duration of kilning can significantly influence the final malt quality, resulting in a wide range of flavors and aromas that contribute to the style of beer produced.

The other options do not accurately represent the kilning process. Boiling malt in sugar water refers to a different method and does not occur during kilning, while sifting malt for impurities is a cleaning step that happens earlier in the process. Fermenting the malt with high sugars is part of the brewing process, not kilning, which occurs prior to fermentation. Thus, the correct understanding of malt kilning underscores its importance in developing the right properties for brewing.