2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The hops / Humulus lupulus L. / is a perennial herbaceous plant with a very long creeping rhizome. Its stem reaches 6 meters, and its flowers resemble a cone, which when ripe reaches 5 cm. The fruit of the hops resembles an ovoid flattened nut. It blooms in May-October.
The hops grows around moist deciduous forests and shrubs, along streams and rivers. It is distributed throughout the country, 1000 meters above sea level. It is also found throughout Europe. The widest application of hops is in the production of the favorite beer of millions of people.
History of hops
When and where exactly they first started using hops as the main ingredient in beer is not clear. According to the famous Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, hops were brought to the Roman Empire by the Goths or other tribes during the Great Migration of Eastern Europe. Other scientists believe that hops were first cultivated by the Slavs, and accordingly they were the first to use it to make beer.
In Western written sources hops first mentioned by Bishop Isidore of Seville. Most scholars agree that hops were originally used in the breweries of Franciscan, Benedictine and Augustinian monasteries, especially in southern Germany. This happened around the 10th-11th century.
Although hops are not responsible for the taste of beer, they make it very durable, which was very important in times when pasteurization was not discovered. Thus, over time, hops began to be cultivated en masse.
Breweries bought two types hops - more expensive, used to make the so-called. lager beers (which were stored until the summer) and cheaper hops, which were used for beer that was subject to direct consumption. Gradually, the role of the cities where hops were produced became more and more important. Thanks to brewing, Bremen, Gdansk, Lübeck and Rostock received various privileges.
In the 14th century, Nuremberg became the center of European trade. Thus, thanks to the increase in the durability of beer, its transportation over long distances became possible and it became one of the most widely traded goods.
Composition of hops
The cones of hops contain from 0.2 to 1.7% essential oil and up to 20% bitter substances, including lupulin and humulin (chlorogucin derivatives), which when decomposed form isovaleric acid. Hops also contain asparagine, choline, leukoanthocyanidins, organic acids / isovaleric, valeric, nobenzoic /. It also contains estrogenic substances.
Lupoline contains up to 3% essential oil, which consists of 30 to 50% myrcene, 30 to 40% esters of myrdenol, terpene alcohols, ketone luparon and luparenol. The presence of lupanone-phenol ester with a very faint valerian odor was detected. The composition also includes the alkaloid-like substance cholein, which has a mild narcotic effect.
Hop storage
The usable parts of hops are the cones, which, however, must be while still closed. It is best to do this in August. The scales of the inflorescence and its flowers are covered with resinous glands, which have a light yellow color. These glands are removed by rubbing through a sieve. They have a bitter taste and a characteristic odor. Dry the cones in the shade. Already dried hops should have a yellow-green color, odor and slightly bitter taste. Store in a dark, cool and dry place.
Uses and benefits of hops
Apart from being one of the main raw materials in breweries, hops also have a number of health benefits. It is used to treat many diseases. The cone-shaped inflorescences of hops and glands, which are very rich in essential oils, are used. Hops are known to have general antispasmodic, sedative, and analgesic effects.
The hops improves digestion, has a diuretic effect and stimulates appetite. Helps with anemia and has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system because it purifies the blood.
Hops have a calming effect on the nervous system. It is especially useful in alcoholic delirium, hysteria, nervous disorder, insomnia, anxiety. It is very useful in chest pain and heart disease. Soothes irritable bowel syndrome and relieves symptoms of colitis. It is used in diseases of the liver, jaundice. Hops reduce sensitivity to neuralgia and pain.
Soak 2 tbsp. hops in half a liter of boiling water and let it stand for 2 hours. Drink one glass before meals, a total of 4 times a day.
Relieves persistent cough, reduces fever and pain, removes toxins and inflammation accumulated in the body. In arthritis and rheumatic pain it is used in the form of a smear. Hop ointment is useful for balding. Externally, hops are used for swelling and ulcers.
It turns out that hops are widely used in cosmetics. Hop oil is used in many creams and other cosmetic products that are designed to nourish and soften the skin.
Harm from hops
The hops should not be taken by people who have already had a stroke, angina or myocardial infarction. It is not recommended to use large doses of the herb or take it for too long. Breastfeeding women should also not take hops because they are believed to reduce secretion and may lead to discontinuation of breast milk.
