Content
- Only female hop plants bear fruit
- Fruits only bear female hop plants
- This is how the hop fruit is structured
- When is the fruit ripe?
- Store hop fruits properly until consumption
- Tips
The cone shape is the distinguishing feature of the hop fruit
Only female hop plants bear fruit
The fruits of hops are used primarily for brewing beer. They contain a powder that gives the beer the harsh taste and makes it durable. Only the fruit of a female hop plant can be used for beer production.
Fruits only bear female hop plants
Hops are dioecious, which means that there are male and female plants. The male plants do not develop any fruits.
In commercial cultivation, therefore, only female hop plants are grown. Male plants even need to be removed in some areas because they can spoil the fruits of the female hop plant.
This is how the hop fruit is structured
Hop fruits are yellow-green and look like tiny cones. They are called cones. The sepals of the fruit overlap. At the bottom there are small globules containing the most valuable ingredient of the hop, lupulin.
If the fruit is overripe, the sepals turn brown.
When is the fruit ripe?
Ripe fruits are green and dry. Inside, they contain a yellow powder called lupulin.
Whether a fruit is actually ripe, can only be said with certainty when a umbel is harvested and cut open. It then emanates an aromatic scent.
The harvest season begins at the end of August and extends into September.
Store hop fruits properly until consumption
In order to preserve the ingredients, a hop fruit must be dried as soon as possible after harvesting. Only dried fruits can be stored for several months.
In commercial cultivation, the hop fruits are processed into pellets because they can be stored in bags to save space.
For home use, you can also freeze hop fruits and thus preserve them for a long time. If you want to prepare a calming tea, take as many fruits as you need and brew with hot water.
Tips
Hop fruits must be harvested in time. Once the fruits are overripe, they can not be used for beer production, teas or natural remedies. The taste is then no longer slightly dry, but inedible.