Self convert??

[billy915]

"Vienna malt or Helles malt is the characteristic grain of Vienna lager and Märzen; although it generally takes up only ten to fifteen percent of the grain bill in a beer, it can be used as a base malt. It has sufficient enzymatic power to self-convert, and it is somewhat darker and kilned at a higher temperature than Pilsener malt. ASBC 3-4/EBC 7-10, DP 50 °Lintner."

I read this and was wondering if someone could clarify what "self convert" means?

 

[IrregularPulse]

Meaning it has the enzymatic power to convert it's own starches to sugars. It doesn;t need a base malt such as 2 row or pilsner malt like other adjunct malts do such as chocolate malt, caramel malt, roasted malts...etc.

Meaning you could do a 100% Vienna mash.

 

[dcp27]

+1, anything with a DP of 30 or higher can convert itself.

 

[billy915]

Oh, ok. Got it. Thanks for the replies