About Hops
Hops are vigorous perennial climbing plants that have been cultivated for centuries, grown as much for their practical usefulness as for the graceful beauty of their twining stems. Each summer the long bine-like stems race up their support, clothing walls, pergolas and rustic frames in a soft green curtain of deeply lobed leaves before producing the distinctive cone-like flowers that have made the plant so well known.
Those papery green cones are the heart of the hops' long story. They have been bound to the craft of brewing for hundreds of years, lending beer its characteristic aroma and pleasant bitter note, yet their use reaches far beyond the brewhouse. In an older country tradition the young spring shoots were once gathered and prepared much like asparagus — lightly steamed and served as a seasonal vegetable — a use that shows hops were valued in the kitchen long before they became famous for brewing.
In traditional herbal practice the cones have long been appreciated for their naturally calming properties and remain one of the most highly regarded herbs for supporting restful sleep. They continue to be used in herbal teas, sleep pillows and other gentle preparations intended to encourage relaxation and quieten a busy mind.
Each autumn the aromatic cones are ready for harvest before the bines die back for winter, returning with fresh vigour the following spring.
Uses & Benefits
Hops are grown for both their long association with brewing and their enduring place in traditional herbal practice. Their twining stems bring soft seasonal cover to walls and frames, while the aromatic cones hold a gentle, relaxing quality that has been appreciated for generations.
Culinary Uses
Hops are best known for flavouring and preserving beer, where the cones impart their distinctive aroma and pleasant bitter note to the brew. At The Herbal Garden, the dried hop cones are blended into our calming herbal tea, where they pair beautifully with herbs such as chamomile and lemon balm.
Medicinal Uses
Hops have long been valued for their naturally calming and relaxing properties and remain one of the most highly regarded traditional herbs for supporting restful sleep. A warm infusion of the cones is traditionally taken to ease tension and encourage a sense of calm at the end of the day, while the dried flowers have been tucked into sleep pillows and sachets to be placed near the pillow at night. Their soothing character also makes them a gentle addition to relaxing herbal blends intended to quieten a restless evening.
Growing & Harvesting
Growing
Hops are vigorous climbers that do best in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. Because their stems race upwards with remarkable speed through the growing season, they require a strong support or framework to climb — a trellis, pergola or sturdy lattice will keep them looking their best.
At The Herbal Garden they are grown over the lattice, where they provide attractive seasonal cover throughout the summer before dying back each winter and re-emerging in spring. A generous mulch of compost in spring supports their strong growth, and keeping the soil reasonably moist in dry spells keeps the foliage looking fresh and green.
Harvesting
The cones are harvested in late summer when they feel dry, papery and aromatic. Pick them on a dry day once the morning dew has lifted, choosing cones that are light green and beginning to feel slightly papery to the touch.
They can be dried carefully in a warm, airy place before storing in paper bags for a short time to ensure any remaining moisture has disappeared, then transferred to an airtight container and stored in a cool, dark cupboard. Kept this way, the dried cones hold their gentle fragrance and relaxing qualities for many months.
Cautions
Hops are generally considered safe when used appropriately, but may cause drowsiness because of their naturally relaxing properties, so it is wise to avoid driving or operating machinery after enjoying them in any quantity. Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or taking sedative medication should seek professional medical advice before using hops medicinally, as their calming nature may interact with such treatments. As with all herbs, hops should complement a healthy lifestyle and are not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.