The flower clusters of the hop plant used in brewing beer to add flavor and preserve the beverage. Also refers to the climbing vine plant itself (Humulus lupulus).
From Middle Dutch 'hoppe,' related to Old High German 'hopfo.' The plant was known to Germanic peoples before its use in brewing, initially valued for its young shoots as food and later discovered to preserve and flavor beer.
Hops revolutionized beer-making in medieval Europe, replacing the herb mixture called 'gruit' and allowing beer to be stored longer without spoiling. Interestingly, hop-picking was traditionally women's work, leading to seasonal social gatherings that became important cultural events in hop-growing regions.
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