Hops is a four-letter word that is commonly used in brewing beer. Its spelling is interesting because it has two letters "p" at the end. To explain the spelling of hops, we can use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, which is /hɑps/. The phonetic symbol /p/ stands for the voiceless bilabial plosive, which means that we articulate the sound by closing both lips and abruptly releasing the air. Consequently, the IPA transcription helps us understand how to spell hops in a more precise way.
Hops, in its noun form, refers to the dried female flowers or cones of a climbing plant called Humulus lupulus, commonly used in the brewing industry to impart flavor, aroma, and bitterness to beer. These flowers are specifically cultivated for their aromatic and bitter properties and are an essential ingredient in the production of beer. Hops are typically harvested in early autumn when they are at their peak maturity.
In terms of properties, hops contain various essential oils and other compounds that contribute to the distinctive bitter taste, aroma, and preservation qualities of beer. The bitter compounds found in hops, such as alpha acids, balance the sweetness of malted barley in beer and inhibit the growth of bacteria, thereby acting as a natural preservative.
Once harvested, hops are carefully dried to reduce moisture content and increase their longevity. They are then added to the beer during the brewing process, typically in the boiling stage, to extract their flavors and aromas. The specific combination and timing of adding hops in the brewing process can influence the overall taste and aroma profile of the beer.
Apart from beer production, hops have also found applications in herbal medicine due to their potential sedative, antibacterial, and estrogenic properties. However, their primary and most widespread use remains in the creation of beer, where they contribute to the distinct characteristics and flavors that beer enthusiasts appreciate.
The strobiles of the hop plant; see humulus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hops" comes from the Middle English word "hoppe", which in turn is derived from Old English "hop", meaning "hop plant" or "seed basket". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "huppōną" and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European root word "*kāp-", meaning "to seize" or "to hold". This is likely due to the climbing nature of the hop plant, as it wraps its vines around other plants or structures to grow.