what is malt

Malt is a cereal grain, typically barley, that has been made to germinate by soaking in water and is then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air, a process known as "malting". Malted grain is used to make beer, whiskey, malted milkshakes, malt vinegar, confections such as Maltesers and Whoppers, flavored drinks such as Horlicks, Ovaltine, and Milo, and some baked goods, such as malt loaf, bagels, and rich tea biscuits. Malt extract, also known as extract of malt, is a sweet, treacle-like substance used as a dietary supplement. Malt is different from a malt, which is the name for a milkshake made with malted milk powder (a derivative of malt) . Malt is a sweetener with a distinct toasted, caramel-like, fruity flavor that results from processed cereal grains.