noun
- the first shoot or sprout that emerges from a germinating grain seed, especially barley during malting
Usage: technical term used in brewing and malting; also called the chit or rootlet in some contexts
Examples
- The acrospire appeared on the barley grain after three days of soaking.
- Brewers monitor the acrospire's growth to determine when the grain is properly modified for malting.
- When the acrospire reaches the length of the grain, the malting process enters a critical stage.
- The presence of a visible acrospire indicates that germination has begun successfully.