Thanks to the recent craft beer boom, demand for hops has rocketed, with ever more beer drinkers savouring the fruity flavours of old English varieties, such as Fuggles and Goldings.
There are currently around 50 hop farmers in the UK and 34 commercially grown varieties, many with quite remarkable aromas – tangerine, citrus, grass, grapefruit, chocolate, blackcurrant, spice, pepper, apricot, marmalade, mint, honey, floral and molasses.
Ali Capper runs Stocks Farm in Worcestershire with her husband Richard and father-in-law. Hops have been grown there for around 250 years and she describes them as magical plants.
‘They shoot up, triffid-like, from hip height to 18ft, from May to June – you can almost see them growing!’ she says.
Ali and her team grow up to 12 different varieties and organise a Hop Walk in the first week of harvest, so brewers can inspect the crop and taste different beers.
While demand from breweries has plummeted because of Covid-19, Ali’s enthusiasm for this traditional crop remains undimmed.
‘I love my hops,’ she says enthusiastically. ‘When the plants come into hop in August and September, the aroma is fantastic.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest