What to do with hops (Humulus lupulus L.)
Hop, a plant mainly used in the wonderful world of beer brewing has
lots more to offer if you just give it a chance. Identifying the plant is easy, just look for the female catkins. Once you’ve spotted them you can be sure you’re dealing with hops. The young shoots of the hop plant are often used in the culinary world but today I would like to focus on the catkins. The bitter taste they produce can be used for more than just flavouring beer.
I made a simple syrup infused with hops:
You start with one cup of sugar (you can use honey if preferred) and 1 cup of water. Make enough of this to put all the hops under. First make sure the sugar is dissolved by heating the mixture. Don’t let it boil ! it will change the texture of your syrup. Put the hops in to infuse the syrup with all its lovely flavour and leave for about 30 min or longer. I took it off the heat at about 15 min in and left it to infuse cold for the rest of the time.
I used the 1/1 method for syrup because I wanted a longer shelf life. You could use a 1sugar/2water ratio if preferred.You now have a golden syrup full of that special hop flavour and it will last for about 6 months in the fridge.
Next thing I did was make a ginger syrup, the same method as before. (If you prefer you can make a ginger/hop syrup all together but I wanted to be able to use the both separate.)
After that it’s cocktail time!
I took rum, water and both of the syrups and played around with the amounts until the taste was perfect! A fantastic bitter rum cocktail with a lasting zing from the ginger.
Hops are used for anxiety, inability to sleep (insomnia) and other sleep disorders, restlessness and tensions. Because of the bitter taste it is also good for indigestion.
The perfect time to pick is right about NOW! end of august/begin September when the catkins are green and closed.
Next time you see a hop plant in all it glory: try it out. The syrup is great in non-alcoholic beverages as well and I’ve even been putting some in my thee.
So, what are you waiting for: go walk, pick and eat some quick!
