STANDARDIZED Co2 HOP EXTRACT
Standardized CO2 Hop Extracts have been prepared from hops or hop pellets using carbon dioxide and contain the α-acids, β-acids and essential oils of hops. The extract is then standardized to a certain α-acid content (e. g. 20 or 30%) by the addition of food grade glucose syrup. Standardized CO2 Hop Extract offers the brewer a concentrated hop product that can provide added efficiency and flexibility in the brew house. In the United States hop extracts are generally recognised as safe (GRAS) in accordance with US FDA regulation 21 CFR 182.20.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Standardized CO2 Hop Extract retains the aroma and the bittering potential of the hops from which it is made. Stability is excellent. Compared to raw hops or hop pellets, the extracts represent a convenient and concentrated alternative. Since the brewing characteristics of the original hops are maintained, an early addition to the kettle imparts mainly bitterness while late addition will result in a carry over of the volatile oils in beer with aromatic “late hop” character.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
Description: Depending on the extraction conditions and the hop variety, the color of the extract can vary from yellow to dark green. It is a semi-fluid paste at room temperature. The product becomes more fluid when heated. Some phase separation (hop extract – glucose) may form during normal storage which can be re-dissolved by heating and mixing.
Density: 0.85 – 1.1 g/mL
Viscosity: approx. 1 – 3 Pas at 30 – 40 °C (86 – 1 04 °F), (depending on variety).
α-acids: Depending on desired concentration; typical range is between 10 and 40%
β-acids: Typically 5 - 40% - not standardized and depending on variety and desired alpha acid standardization.
Hop oils: Typically 1 – 12 mL/100 g - not standardized and depending on variety and desired alpha acid standardization.
Process Specifications for Supercritical CO2 Hop Extract: Carbon dioxide quality: Food grade CO2 Extraction temperature: 50 – 60 °C (122 – 140 °F) Extraction pressure: 150 – 300 bar
Process Specifications for Subcritical (liquid) CO2 Hop Extract: Carbon dioxide quality: Food grade CO2 Extraction temperature: 5 – 15 °C (41 – 59 °F) Extraction pressure: 55 – 70 bar
PRODUCT USE:
For efficient provision of bitterness, the extract should be added to the kettle at the beginning or up to 10 minutes after the beginning of the wort boil. Utilization of α-acids in beer is slightly better compared to non-isomerized pellets and typically within the range of 32% - 38%. When added late in the boil, utilization of α-acids may be reduced considerably. The quantity to be added is calculated using the α-acids content and the estimated utilization. Actual utilization may vary depending on plant and processing parameters. If added by means of an automatic dosing system, the extract should be warmed up to 40 °C and gently agitated to ensure proper dosing.
PACKAGING:
Container sizes range from 0.5 to 4 kg. Non-returnable bulk containers are available in sizes ranging from 50 to 200 kg. Containers meet all food industry packaging regulations. When bulk containers are supplied for automatic dosing units, viscosity analysis may be provided on request. All internal surfaces of containers are lined with a food grade coating.
STORAGE AND BEST-BY RECOMMENDATION:
Standardized CO2 Hop Extract is exceptionally stable when properly stored. Hop oils are preserved in the condition as they were in hops. Hop Extract should be cold stored at 0 – 5 °C (32 – 41 °F) and best if used within 8 years after processing. If stored at ambient conditions (below 25 °C, 77 °F) extracts should be used within 3 years. Containers once opened should be used within a few days.
ANALYTICAL METHODS:
The determination of α-acids comprises three types of methods: HPLC, spectrophotometric, and conductometric methods. Specifically, the concentrations of hop acids may be measured by:
• HPLC, using the current ICE standard, according to the EBC 7.7 or the ASBC Hops-14 methods.
• Conductometric methods – EBC 7.6, or ASBC Hops-8.
• Spectrophotometric, ASBC Hops-8.
• Hop oil concentration can be determined by:
• EBC 7.10 or ASBC Hops-13.