Hop (Humulus lupulus)
From C&PWiki
The hop plant, Humulus lupulus, is a perennial climbing bine. The cone-like flowers of the female hop plant are one of the primary ingredients used in brewing beer.
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Related species
There are two other species in the Humulus genus: Humulus japonicus (the Japanese hop) and Humulus yunnaensis, native to Southeast Asia. Neither are commonly used in brewing and their suitability for brewing is unknown; they are sometimes grown as ornamentals.
Growing hops
Main article: Hop cultivation
Hops are a hardy, fast-spreading, quick-growing climber, normally propagated from rhizomes. In addition to their use in beer, they are prized for their spicy aroma during the growing season and their decorative use, especially grown over decks, trellises or arbors. The the article on hop cultivation for more information about growing your own.
Hops in beer
Main article: Hop additions
The main use of hops is in beer brewing, where they contribute both needed bitterness and a unique flavor and aroma. Hops can be added at almost any step in the brewing process, with each type of hop addition giving a different effect.
Choosing hops
Main article: Hop varieties
See the hop varieties category for more information on how to choose the right hops for your beer.
Hop additions
Main article: Beer brewing process
Hops can be added to beer at any point in the brewing process, from steeping them in the mash water to dropping them in the glass, in addition to the traditional method of adding them during the boil. In general, hops added early in the process provide bitterness, while hops added later in the process bring hop flavor and aroma. See the article on the beer brewing process for more information on the different hop additions and the effect they bring to beer.
Hop chemistry
Main article: Hop chemistry
For more details on the chemical elements that contribute to a hop's unique characteristics, see the article on hop chemistry.
Other uses for hops
In addition to their use in beer, hops may also be used to flavor some types of mead, often as an easier-to-find substitute for the traditional Ethiopian seasoning gesho. In folk medicine, hops are sometimes used to treat insomnia, either drunk as a tea or used as a small sachet placed inside a pillow.
Hop varieties
Main article: Category:Hop varieties
There are now hundreds of individual hop cultivars. In addition, because hops are extremely sensitive to growing conditions, the hops used in brewing are further differentiated by the region in which they were grown. For a fuller explanation and examples, see the hop varieties category.
