Exciting Prospects For Hop Growers

By 1974 New Zealand could be a strong competitor on the world hop export market.

That is the prediction, and fervent hope, of one of the world's leading hop research scientists, Dr R. H. J. Roborgh, superintendent of the Hop Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Riwaka.

To export hops New Zealand would be required to grow a seedless variety of the plant. And this is what Dr Roborgh has developed after nearly 10 years of patient, dedicated research.

To expert beer tasters, New Zealand brews have good taste and colour but there is a harsh after-taste which is caused by tannins which occur in the seeds of locally grown hops. While Kiwis have become used to the taste, overseas visitors prefer the beer brewed from seedless hops. For that reason New Zealand-grown hops would be of no interest to overseas brewers.

So New Zealand growers have concentrated on supplying the local market. But with the development of the seedless variety at Riwaka the exciting prospect of export beckons.