Investigation into Some Causes of Differing Alpha-Acid Content of Hop(Humulus LupulusL.) Samples

SummaryMethods are described to assess various components which determine the alpha-acid content of hop cones. The reasons for cultivar, farm-to-farm and experimental differences in the alpha-acid contents were investigated and these were shown to be due to differences in resin gland numbers per unit weight of cone material and/or differences in the alpha-acid content of the glands. The results are discussed in relation to present knowledge of the initiation and development of hop cones.