What is head heart and tail in distillation?

Head refers to the first portion of the distillate that comes off during distillation, while heart refers to the middle portion of the distillate that is the most desirable. Tail refers to the final portion of the distillate that is not desirable.

The head of a distillate typically contains light, volatile compounds such as methanol and acetone, which have a low boiling point and come off first during distillation. These compounds are often undesirable due to their harsh taste and odor.

The heart of a distillate contains the desired flavor compounds and aromas of the distilled substance, such as ethanol in the case of alcoholic beverages. This portion is typically the most valuable part of the distillate.

The tail of a distillate contains heavy, non-volatile compounds such as fusel oils, which have a high boiling point and come off last during distillation. These compounds can add an off-flavor or undesirable taste to the distillate.

It is important for distillers to carefully separate the head, heart, and tail of the distillate in order to produce a high-quality product. This can be done by carefully controlling the temperature of the distillation process and by collecting the distillate in separate containers.