Humulus, hop, is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae, which also includes cannabis. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Humulus lupulus is the main ingredient of many beers, and as such is widely cultivated for use by the brewing industry. The fragrant flower cones impart bitterness and flavour, and also have preservative qualities. They are usually grown up strings called a hopfield or hop garden. The edible leaves and shoots are delicious and eaten either cooked or in salads. Medicinally hops are used as a sedative and relaxant. Sleeping on a pillow filled with hops is said to help insomnia. Hops contain several characteristics favourable to beer, balancing the sweetness of the malt with bitterness, contributing flowery, citrus, fruity or herbal aromas, and having an antibiotic effect that favours the activity of brewer’s yeast. If you want to create your own beer with the freshest hops in the world … grow your own. GrowYourOwn English Cluster Hops.