Assessment of wheat Qu fermented at medium and high temperatures: Effects of Bupleurum addition on fermentation characteristics, volatile profiles, and microbial communities.

The quality of wheat Qu significantly influences rice wine production. However, quality control is often challenging due to variations in raw materials, preparation methods, and climatic conditions. Nevertheless, the impact of traditional northern Chinese craftsmanship techniques on the quality of wheat Qu remains largely unexplored, and addressing this gap is crucial for standardizing fermentation processes and optimizing rice wine production.