HOPS TO EAT AND DRINK

Known as ‘Poor Man’s Asparagus’, young hop shoots, cut in April when they are less than 15cm long, can be gently fried in butter and garlic for salads or as a garnish for fish. In baking, a tiny pinch of hop flowers (ground in a coffee grinder) can add a distinctive zing to savoury biscuits, but don’t overdo it – hops are very bitter!

Small quantities of hops can be used as an ingredient in herbal teas to aid relaxation. Our special Sleepy Tea with hops, chamomile, lavender and rose petals is available by Mail Order.

Of course, we sell hop flowers for the home-brewer too. Our hop flowers are of the aromatic Fuggles variety. They are dried as soon as they have been harvested and are stored in the dark in dehumidified stores to retain the best colour and quality. Unlike hops supplied for commercial brewing, which need to be tightly packed for storage, our hops are unpressed therefore minimising loss of the aromatic oils.