A monosaccharide (simple sugar), which is also known colloquially as wood sugar. In nature, the substance is found primarily in the tree species birch, beech, spruce and pine, as well as in many plant species, most of which are edible, for example also in grapes. Xylose can also be present in the wood structure of new barrique barrels. The sugar, which is difficult to ferment, is processed by the yeast species Brettanomyces. See also under horse sweat.
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