How beer was made with hops that were exported from Finland2 min read

The process of making beer, which includes hops, honey, and barley in addition to other ingredients, is extensively described in the Kalevala, the national poetry of the Finnish people. “Beer was born from barley, it was born from hops, but it would never have come into being without the support of water or flame. It was Kalevatar who aided men, and beer, the offspring of Kaleva‘s drink, was born as a result” the old man said during the preparations for the wedding feast. According to academics, hops were introduced to Europe by the Finns; in fact, even in the time of Tacitus, the Germans and the Gauls were unaware of its existence. It was well recognized as a beverage made from barley, but the Romans, who were accustomed to drinking wine, mocked it because it was sweet and perishable. Growing up to 15 meters tall in a single season, in spring hop will climb trees and hedges in search of support, covering them with its gradually morphing leaves. Its traits are accurately described by its Latin name, Humulus lupulus. It is aggressive and eager to attack like a young wolf and loves rich soil, a wild plant that grows naturally in all of northern Europe, Asia, and America’s wilderness areas. The shoots are used in omelettes, soups, and salads and the two countries that cultivate it today are Germany, which prioritizes high-quality products, and the United States, the major producer. The female inflorescences are the most coveted component because they contain a bitter resinous substance, lupulin, an oil that contains carbon hydrates, tannin, asparagine, and opeine, a drug that is comparable to cannabis and is a potent bactericide and sedative. The Medieval Ages’ monks, who raised hops in their gardens, were aware of these qualities, and it was they who added them to ale, a barley-based beverage that was a staple of northern Europe’s diet but had a short shelf life. The monasteries reaped the financial rewards as beer was created: with stalks over five meters high, hops were cultivated in rows all over Germany and England, starting in the 18th century.