Japan: Suntory Elucidates Astringent Substances in Beer

Suntory Ltd., the fourth leading Japanese beer manufacturer, with 9.9% market share, announced on June 15 that it has succeeded in identifying a substance that causes harshness in the taste of beer, and determining the substance's chemical structure.

Specifically, the substance is beta glycoside of hordatine, a substance found in malt. Its chemical structure is completely new. The company expects that this discovery will enable quantitative analysis of beer components and lead to the improvement of taste.

Details of the discovery were presented at the 2005 American Society of Brewing Chemist Annual Meeting to be held from June 11 to 15.

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