Common hop, Hop
Humulus lupulus
Family: Cannabaceae
What it is like
A climbing twiner which keeps growing from year to year. It can be 4.5-7.5 m long. The stems are rough. The leaves are deeply lobed and light green. They are 10-15 cm long. There are teeth around the edge. The stems are square, thin and bristly. The flowers are green and cone-like. There are several named varieties.
There are 2 Humulus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. They prefer moist but well-drained soil. Plants are frost hardy. It cannot tolerate salty seaside conditions. They do best with a pH of 5.5-7. In the Himalayas it grows between 3,000-3,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Morocco, Myanmar, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA
How it is used for food
The overlapping bracts which cover the female flower are used in brewing. They flavour beer and act as a preservative. Hops can also be used to make bread rise. They are dried and the oil has a smell. The flowers are used in bread. The young shoots are cooked and eaten. They are stewed, used in soups and also used in omelettes. Caution: Hops can cause mild depression.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers, herb, spice, vegetable, rhizome, root
How it is grown
Plants are grown from semi-ripe cuttings. Plants are placed 2.5 m apart and need a structure to climb. Sometimes plants are grown from seeds if the cultivars set seed.
It is fast growing. Plants start producing cones when about 3 years old. The cones are harvested just before fully ripe and carefully dried at less than 65°C.
Its other names
Local names
Apinis, Bin, Bine, Brasabosc, Byit-pan, Chmiel, Hamei, Hmelj, Hopfen, Houblon, Humal, Kumle, Khmel, Khmeyel', Komlo, Leuvertin, Luppolo, Lupporo, Lupulo, Luvertin, Navadni hmelj, Shashquta, Svia, Vadkomlo