See also mashed potato, which is called "mash" in British English.
Mash refers to a mixture of crushed or ground grains, commonly barley, corn, rye, or wheat, combined with water and sometimes additional ingredients such as enzymes.
This mixture is heated in a process called mashing, which enables enzymes to convert the grains’ starches into fermentable sugars.
The resulting sugary liquid, known as wort, is then separated from the solid grain residues and subsequently fermented with yeast to produce alcohol.
The specifics of the mash, including grain composition and temperature profile, vary depending on the type of alcoholic beverage being produced, such as whiskey, beer, or vodka, and play a significant role in determining the final flavor profile. The mixture of grains in the mixture is called the mash bill.
The container used to hold the mash during this process is called a mash tun.