Germination energy is the percentage of barley kernels that germinate within a set time under standard test conditions, used to judge malting readiness.
In trade practice
Maltsters measure it with European Brewery Convention methods, usually a 4 ml test with an 8 ml test for water sensitivity. Low energy with high germinative capacity means dormancy; low capacity means damaged grain, often from hot drying.
In a specification
Contracts name a minimum and the EBC method, and allow time for the test before acceptance.