Wheat alcohol, also known as wheat ethyl alcohol or wheat ENA, is a type of grain alcohol that is derived from the fermentation and distillation of wheat grains. Many consumers prefer wheat alcohol to other types of grain alcohols, such as corn or barley ethyl alcohol. But what are the reasons for that? And are there also any disadvantages of using wheat alcohol?
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using wheat alcohol. One of the main challenges is that wheat is more expensive than other grains, resulting in the production of wheat alcohol being more costly than other types of grain alcohol. This makes wheat alcohol less accessible to some consumers or industries, for example, in emerging markets in Africa.
Additionally, wheat alcohol is not suitable for all countries and types of industrial applications. For example, corn ethyl alcohol is often used as a fuel additive in the United States, where corn is a widely grown crop and the infrastructure for corn ethanol production is well-established. Similarly, barley ethyl alcohol is better suited for use in certain industrial applications, such as in the production of cleaning agents or disinfectants.
Wheat alcohol’s many potential advantages and favourable properties have definitely contributed to its popularity across the whole world. However, the more expensive price tag and uselessness for some industrial applications make it unfit for consumers looking for an all-around and cost-effective solution. While these consumers will look for other types of grain alcohol, such as corn or barley ethyl alcohol, Europe’s agricultural infrastructure and close cultural ties to this product promise more demand for wheat for centuries to come.