Hopunion Type-90 (T-90) Hop Powder Pellets
and Type-45 (T-45) Hop Powder Pellets
T-90 Pellets - a milled and pelletized preparation from whole leaf hops.
T-45 Pellets a similarly milled and pelletized preparation in which a proportion of the vegetative matter has been removed thus concentrating the lupulin.
General description: T-90 hop pellets are prepared from leaf hops which have been hammer-milled into a powder and the powder subsequently pelletized by passing through a conventional pellet die. They contain all the vegetative and lupulin material of raw leaf hops and can be used as a full replacement for leaf hops in the brewing process.
T-45 hop pellets are similarly prepared except that after milling at a very low temperature (which removes the stickiness of the lupulin) the powder is sieved and a portion of the vegetative material removed. T-45 pellets are also a full replacement for leaf hops in the brewing process.
Preparation: Baled hops are broken up and passed into an air-stream which delivers them to a hammer-mill. Heavy foreign materials drop out and metal fragments are removed using magnets. The cone hops are milled until they pass through a sieve which is commonly of a
9-12 mm mesh. The powder from many bales is mixed and homogenized in a blender and then conveyed to a pellet die, most commonly 4 or 6 mm in diameter. The pellets are immediately cooled, normally to a temperature of between 1 - 7º C. Cooled pellets pass over a shaker where dust is removed and recirculated through the plant. The "clean" pellets are packaged in laminated, plastic/aluminum foil pouches, evacuated and boxed. The packs may be back-flushed with carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas to produce a soft pack container.
With T-45 pellets, milling of the hops is carried out at - 35º C. This removes the stickiness from the lupulin allowing the powder to be sieved. This results in a resin-rich fraction which contains about 50% of the vegetable matter and a virtually resin-free waste. The resin rich fraction is forwarded to the pellet die and a portion of the vegetative material may be re-introduced to adjust the alpha acid content to a pre-determined level. Pelletizing and packing is then as previously described for T-90 pellets.
Composition: The composition of T-90 hop pellets is similar to that of leaf hops and, depending on the variety, displays ranges in composition as follows:
Lupulin: |
Alpha acids |
4 - 13% |
Beta acids |
3 - 8% |
|
Other soft resins |
1 - 3% |
|
Hard resins |
1 - 4% |
|
Essential oils |
0.5 - 2.5% |
|
Vegetative Matter |
Water |
6 - 9% |
Tannins |
3 - 5% |
|
Lipids and Waxes |
2 - 4% |
|
Proteins |
12 - 18% |
|
Amino-acids |
<0.5% |
|
Mono saccharides |
1 - 3% |
|
Pectin |
1 - 3% |
|
Cellulose and liguin |
35 - 45% |
|
Ash |
5 - 10% |
For T-45 pellets the composition of the alpha acids and other components of the lupulin may be at any level up to twice that of the equivalent T-90 form. The vegetative matter compositions may, therefore, vary to about one-half of that shown above.
Uses and advantages in brewing: T-90 pellets achieve a significant reduction in bulk volume compared to that of leaf hops. The volume reduction is further enhanced with T-45 pellets. Additionally the packaging prevents the deterioration brought about by oxidation of the resins and oils of leaf hops.
Within the brewing process T-90 and T-45 pellets may, depending upon the circumstances, show an increase in the utilization of alpha acids of up to 20% over that of leaf hops.
Standardization of the alpha acids content of T-90 and T-45 pellets allows the establishment of accurate and consistent routine procedures by the brewer.
Methods of use: Both T-90 and T-45 pellets are added to boiling wort in the kettle at the same time as one would normally add leaf hops. The pellets will disperse into the wort and form part of the trub thus removing the need for a hop strainer. For maximum bitterness, pellets should be boiled for at least one hour. For maximum aroma contribution, pellets should be added as for normal late hop additions.
Typical brewing performance: Alpha acids utilizations from pellets under normal brewing conditions range between 30-35%. The flavour and aroma effects are typical for the variety in question and the time of addition.
Options: T-90 and T-45 pellets are available at a standardized alpha acids level. Single variety pellets are normally requested but varietal blends may be prepared on request.
Availability: Both T-90 and T-45 pellets may be prepared from any hop variety and a specified alpha acids content within a given range for a variety can be prepared providing a certain minimum quantity (1000 kgs) is required. Smaller quantities are available in stock but these are at the typical alpha acids level for that variety.
Method of evaluation: Initial brewing trials with pellets should be carried out using additions at the same time as leaf hops. Amounts and addition times can then be varied to obtain the required bitterness and taste profile.
Physical properties: Free flowing cylindrical pellets approximately 15 mm long and 6 mm in diameter.
Chemical properties: Consistent with hop vegetative material and hop lupulin.
Packaging: Sealed under vacuum or inert gas in a laminated plastic/aluminum foil contained within cardboard boxes. Net content 5 kg (11 lb.), 20 kg (44 lb.) or 150 kg (330 lb.).
Storage: For maximum protection of bitterness potential and aroma
T-90 and T-45 pellets should be cold stored in unopened packs. Under these conditions minimal deterioration will occur for as long as one year of storage. Opened packs should be used within a few hours or re-sealed and deep frozen.
