The most important difference between 2-row and 6-row barley is that 6-row barley contains greater which property?

The most important difference between 2-row and 6-row barley is that 6-row barley contains greater which property?

• A. Essential oils
• B. Alcohol
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Diastatic power

Answer: (D)

The key idea is diastatic power—the malt’s enzymatic ability to convert starches into fermentable sugars during mashing. This matters in brewing because the more diastatic power a malt has, the more effectively you can break down starches into sugars that yeast can ferment, especially when using adjuncts or less-modified malts. 6-row barley typically has higher enzyme content, including amylases, giving it greater diastatic power than 2-row barley. That means 6-row malt can produce more fermentable wort from the same amount of starch, enabling mash flexibility and better fermentation outcomes. The other options don’t describe enzyme activity or the wort-formation step that diastatic power specifically governs.

The key idea is diastatic power—the malt’s enzymatic ability to convert starches into fermentable sugars during mashing. This matters in brewing because the more diastatic power a malt has, the more effectively you can break down starches into sugars that yeast can ferment, especially when using adjuncts or less-modified malts. 6-row barley typically has higher enzyme content, including amylases, giving it greater diastatic power than 2-row barley. That means 6-row malt can produce more fermentable wort from the same amount of starch, enabling mash flexibility and better fermentation outcomes. The other options don’t describe enzyme activity or the wort-formation step that diastatic power specifically governs.