THE HOP |
|
Latin: Humulus Lupulus. |
Plant: family Cannabinaceae. |
|
An elegant and aggressive perennial plant growing rapidly to 15 feet in summer. Its Latin name taken from Humus, rich soil, and Lupus, wolf. |
The female flower, strobile or cone is used when dried to flavour ale which then becomes beer. This imparts the characteristic bitter hoppy taste and the aroma to beer it also improves the keeping qualities of beer and allows it to contain less alcohol.
First introduced to England in the 14th Century the hop industry grew to an immense size by the early 20th century.
Now a contracting industry it still remains an important part of English agriculture especially in Kent and Herefordshire and surrounding my home and studio in Worcestershire’s Teme Valley where some of England’s finest hops are still grown.
|
|
|
The Teme Valley provides the perfect micro climate combined with deep alluvial soils. Although the industry is small in our area we produce fine examples of the varieties Fuggles and Goldings which frequently win prizes and are used in the brewing of traditional English beer like my favourite brewed in nearby Cleobury Mortimer by my friends at Hobsons Brewery.
|
With so many hops surrounding my home, studio and the surrounding area steeped in the traditions of the industry I have been commissioned over the years to design many pieces depicting hops, from important costly pieces for the adornment of hop growers wives to the simple earrings that a grandmother will give her granddaughter with the tales of her youth spent in the Teme Valley picking hops whilst on holiday from the industrial Black Country perhaps 70 years ago.
|
| This has become an important part of my goldsmithing career. It now forms a range of some 26 pieces in gold and silver sold around the world as English hop jewellery. All made in Tenbury Wells England to the highest quality complete with a lifetimes guarantee. Come and see the whole range at our shop in Tenbury Wells or contact us to make a mail order purchase. All pieces can be exchanged if not suitable. |
|
