Beverage
Humulus lupulus
A tier
Humulus lupulus is the hop binespecies whose female cones supply bitterness (alpha acids) and aroma oils to beer and, occasionally, herbal infusions. Bracts shelter yellow lupulin glands packed with resins and terpenes. Wild and cultivated hops span noble European landraces to high-alpha and tropical-fruit modern cultivars. Boil for bitterness early; add late or dry-hop for aroma. Species identity frames brewing more than a single flavour—cultivar choice defines the pint. Store cold and oxygen-free; oils oxidise into cheese-like off notes.
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History
Medieval European brewing adopted H. lupulus as the preferred bittering herb.
Hop gardens spread with beer culture across northern Europe.
Craft brewing exploded cultivar diversity within the species worldwide.