Definitions of Wash, Mash, Wort, Must and Marc

These terms are often used incorrectly, which causes confusion. Knowing and using the proper definitions is not only good practice, but being precise helps others understand your questions and comments.

A wash is a liquid solution made from sugar or sugar byproducts, intended to be fermented for distillation. Sources include refined/unrefined sugars (panela), sugarcane juice and molasses. The target for a wash made from straight refined sugar is typically moonshine, aka sugarshine, while the target for a wash made from dark sugars, sugarcane juices, panela or molasses is rum.

When a sugar wash is augmented and fermented with raw grain, traditionally corn, or spent grains from a previous mash for flavor, it is referred to as a sugarhead.

A mash is a liquid solution made using malted or unmalted grains which are heated to undergo saccharification. The resulting liquid in which starches have been converted to fermentable sugars is called a wort.

A wort which is brewing's term for a wash, can be the result of either a converted grain mash or a wash made from either liquid or dry malt extract.

A must is made from honey or pressed fruit.

Marc, or pomace, is the solid remains of pressed grapes, olives or other fruit. Grappa is produced from grape pomace.