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Common hop Facts

Common hop Facts
Common hop is herbaceous plant that belongs to the cannabis family. It originates from Southeast Asia, but it can be found in temperate regions around the world today. Common hop prefers fertile, well-drained, moist soil, plenty of sun and mild temperatures during the summer for the optimal growth. People cultivate common hop because of its flowers that are used in the manufacture of beer. Germany is the greatest manufacturer of common hop in the world.
Interesting Common hop Facts:
Common hop is fast-growing vine that grows 1 to 3 inches per day and reaches 6 to 50 feet in height per season. It has rough, twining stem filled with milky sap.
Common hop has heart-shaped leaves that are coarsely toothed on the edges. Leaves are green-colored and oppositely arranged on the branches.
Common hop is dioecious plant (male and female flowers develop on separate plants). Yellow-green male flowers are organized in multi-branched, loose clusters. Female flowers are arranged in densely packed spikes called cones. Each cone consists of 60 individual flowers surrounded by bracts (modified leaves) that facilitate dispersal of seed.
Common hop blooms from July to August. Flowers are designed for the pollination by wind.
Fruit of common hop is dry achene. Fruit ripens from September to October.
Common hop propagates via parts of rhizome and softwood cuttings.
Unfertilized female flowers contain lupulin glands, various acids and essential oils that are used during the brewing of beer to stabilize the beverage and to add bitter taste into the final product.
Common hop is used as beer additive (to prevent spoilage of beer) for at least 10.000 years. Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians used common hop in brewing of the beer.
There are two varieties of common hop: alpha and aroma hop. Alpha hop is rich in alpha acids that are responsible for the bitter taste of the final product. Aroma hop contains less alpha acids and this variety is used for the manufacture of woody- and fruity-like types of beer.
Flowers of common hop can be used in the form of tea. Young shoots of common hop can be prepared and consumed like asparagus.
Stem of common hop can be used as a source of fibers for the manufacture of linen and ropes.
Common hop contains yellow pigment that can be used as natural dye.
Common hop is used in the perfume industry and as flavoring agent in tobacco industry.
Common hop contain substances with antimycotic (prevent growth of fungi), antispasmodic (prevent spasms) and diuretic properties. North Americans used common hop in treatment of wounds and toothache and to stimulate digestion. Common hop can be also used to induce sedation and treat anxiety. Pillows made of hops are used in treatment of insomnia.
Common hop is perennial plant that can survive up to 50 years in the wild.


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