- This is how you can tell that the hops are ripe
- Preserve hops by drying
- Drying hops - That's how it's done!
- Store hops in the freezer
- Use hops as a stylish autumn decoration
If the hop harvest in your own garden has turned out generously, the question arises as to how the fruits can be properly preserved. The best way of storage is drying. How to dry hops and store them for later use.
Well dried, hops have a very long shelf life
This is how you can tell that the hops are ripe
Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell from the outside whether hops are ripe or still need some time. You need to open a spigot and look. This shows that the hops can be harvested.
- Ripe in August or September
- Lupulin powder inside has golden yellow color
- Hop-fruit core exudes aromatic fragrance
Preserve hops by drying
In order to brew beer or obtain the lupulin for medicinal purposes, you have to conserve hops by drying them. Only then does the aroma fully develop. The umbels can only be stored dry for a long time.
Drying hops - That's how it's done!
Pick the branches, remove the leaves and tie a bouquet. This is hung upside down in a dark, warm, dry place. If you just want to dry the umbels, place them loosely on a sieve or grid and let them air dry.
You can also dry hops in a convection oven for storage. To do this, preheat the oven to around 80 degrees and let the cones dry for around two hours.
After drying, the hops are stored in bags in a dry place until processed.
Store hops in the freezer
You can also freeze the dried hop cones. They keep for several months in the freezer and are very easy to take out in portions.
Use hops as a stylish autumn decoration
The yellow-green hop cones are a very decorative autumn ornament. To do this, cut off the entire shoot. Remove all fallen leaves. They dry up very quickly and are then no longer attractive. Place the sprigs in a glass of water.
tips
Hops can be used in more ways than you think. The fruits are not only suitable for brewing beer. You can also use it to make tea and various natural medicines.
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:
- as a free PDF file to print out yourself