Hops - Herb of the week

Herb of the week posts are the hardest for me to write.  They take time and energy that during the growing season I do not always have.  This year the herb harvest has been good, the plants are lush and the weeds are fierce. And I am slowing down.  I turn 60 this year.  I great milestone.  It coinsides with Backyard Patch Herbs turning 30, also a giant milestone.

I remember wanting to grow hops when I first started and being very unsuccessful.  Ir was not until we moved to Villa Park, Illinois that I was able to construct the right growing trellis (well Chas built that, not me) and nurtured some wonderful canes into this great hops arbor.  But Covid hit and I had to move and leave it behind.  But I did gather one last havest before we departed.

We thought the new place would be a quick stop over, so we did not plant hops here, but I think I should have becasue it has been a longer stay. However Lombard has a wonderful Farmer's Market and we have been participating weekly for three years now (Tuesday 3 to 7 PM on Park Ave, downtown, for those in the area.) The Tuesday Market falls on my birthday, so so we will be celebrating by giving away samples of Dill Dip -- the first mix I ever created and gave away which started my business 30 years ago.  We are also giving Dill Dip samples with every online purchase through the end of the year.

Now back to the hops, why grow them.what we use them for:

Herb of the Week - Hops - Humulus Lupulus

Hops are a green cone shape flower (inflorescence) of the plant.  It is a climbing perrenial with interesting characteristics.  Inside each cone are tiny yellow pods or glands called lupulin,  These lupilin are the source of flavor, bitterness and aroma in beer, even though the hops themseves contain no alcohol. The name Hops comes from the Anglo-Saxon term "hoppan," which means to climb.

TO GROW

Hops is an herbaceous perrenial, producing annual vines from overwintering root stock. Meaning the vines die back in the winter and start over from wood cane in the spring.  These vines grow papidly winding around supports in a clockwise direction with strong hooked hairs to cling on.  By the end of june they will reach maximum length of 15 to 25 feet.  Then after the soltice they make side arms to bear flowers. Only femail plants develope flowers, but seeds are heterogeneous with plants emerging from both male and female.  The first year the plant produces little growth, but the second year should be a normal crop.

Hops need abundant sun light, 15 or more hours so it cannot grow in a semi shaded area, if it is shaded before mid June.  That was why the center of the yard was perfect for it, by the time the trees filled in it was well into late june.  It also needs 120 frost free days with a maiost spring.  Sandy loam soil with a neutral pH is ideal.  Weed around the canes regularly and water if it is not raining regularly.

Plant the canes in a hill of two rhizomes per hill spaced 3 feet apart.  We put two hills one at each trellis post.  Once the canes are a foot tall start training them onto the standard. Then just let them grow and do their thing and they will gradually cover the trellis.  Without a trellis your hops will not be very successful, trust me on this.

TO HARVEST

Harvest time is mid August to Mid September depending on how the hops mature.  To determine ripeness pick a cone and touch and smell.  If it is too green, it feels slightly damp with softness to the scales.  A dry cones is a bit more papery and light.  It will feel dryer and you will smell the scent on your hands.  The cone will feel a bit sticky.

Harvest cones by hand standing under the trellis, or cut the canes 3 to 4 feet above the ground and lay on the ground and pick the cones.  Then use the cut canes as mulch after chopping them up once harvested. Wear long sleeves and gloves as the hooked hairs on the plant can cause a rash.

Drying hops can be done in trays or a dehydrator.  My favorite is to spread them in ball mason jar trays or box lids from Aldi.  Once fully dry (no longer sticky) they will feel springy and the yellow lupulin powder easily falls out, you can store them in plastic bags or jars.  Press the air out of the bags and keep int he dark for long term storage.  The daylight will fade the hops.

Hops ready to harvest

USING HOPS

Thier use in beer is not only as a flavoring, they also keep beer fresher longer and help it retian a head of foam.  The aroma of beer comes mostly from the hops.  Medicinally hops are a treatment for anxiety, sleep disporders, restlessness, symptoms of menopause.  It is known that some chemicals in hops seem to act similarly to the hormone estrogen and can cause sleepiness, but there are no large scale sicentific studies to support these notions.

We use hops in our sleep and relaxation sachets as well as key ingredient in our menopause tea.

RECIPES

Honey Ginger Ale Recipe

Ginger adds a delicious and spicy kick to this soda, and the honey contributes a sweet taste that is richer than refined sugar. Makes 1 gallon.

1 gallon water
1 cup honey
2 lemons
1 cup loosely packed hops flowers (optional)
2 pieces of ginger, thumb-sized
1/2 teaspoon ale or champagne yeast

Directions:

Combine water, honey and hops in a stockpot. Add the juice from the two lemons and bring to a boil. Grate ginger and add to the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and then add the yeast. Let the soda stand at room temperature for 24 hours, then use a funnel and strainer to pour the soda into bottles. Leave 1 to 2 inches of empty space at the top of the bottle and attach the bottle caps. Write the date on the bottles and store them in a warm, draft-free place, ideally at room temperature, for an additional 24 hours. Then refrigerate. For best results, leave the bottles in the refrigerator an additional day or two before drinking.

Herbal Hair Rince with Hops

Herbs and herbal infusions have been used for centuries to naturally soften hair, increase manageability, and restore luster, body, and bounce.  Humulus lupulus helps heal and repair damaged hair. The hops flowers contain a nourishing oil that is an effective hair conditioner and thickener. Hops help stimulate scalp circulation and encourage growth. Its antiseptic properties help with dandruff. Especially good for scalp conditions and hair loss/thinning.

Directions:

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 3 or more tablespoons of herbs.  Steep for at least 30 minutes covered Strain herbs from the tea and let it cool.

TO USE: The rinse should be room temperature before using--never pour hot tea in your hair. As you slowly pour the tea over your wet head, massage the infusion into your hair and scalp. Keep a large bowl under your head to catch the liquid and reapply several times. Let it sit a few minutes. Gently rinse with cool water or, for extra conditioning benefits, just leave it in and towel dry hair.