HOP HISTORY
Both hops essential oil and the plant have been used around the world for hundreds of years. Documentation of hops cultivation dates back to 736 AD in the Hallertau region of Germany, while the first records of using hops in the brewing of beer begin in the late 11th century. Though hops are best known for their role as a source of flavor in brewing beer, providing a citrus or bitter flavor, they have also been used in herbal teas, soft drinks, and herbal remedies.
In the past, public perception of hops differed depending on the region of the world. In the early 16th century, Britain saw hops as a “wicked weed” and condemned its use, and it was almost completely banned in Norwich in the late 15th century. In Germany, on the other hand, use of hops became an act of rebellion by German Princes at the start of the Reformation, protesting the Catholic Church’s taxation on gruit, a mixture of herbs and botanicals used to flavor and preserve beer.
While today brewing remains the most common use for hops, it is also found in a range of supplements and remedies marketed for sleep and relaxation. The essential oil derived from hops is an important component of many aromatherapy treatments.
