Hop shoots aplenty for the Tongham TEA Club

On 13th April, loyal Hogs Back enthusiasts from the Tongham TEA Club were invited to pick hop shoots from our burgeoning hop garden. Our hop plants are bursting into life and producing far more shoots than are necessary. So at this time of the year, with the TEA Club members' help, we cut the larger shoots off to make the remaining hop shoots as robust and healthy as possible. Known as 'poor man's asparagus', traditionally the cut hop shoots were eaten. They can be prepared in a number of ways, from being sautéed and lightly poached to pickling and adding to salads. Several of our TEA Club members took home some shoots - we look forward to hearing how they prepared them! Next, we look forward to hop twiddling with the TEA Club - ensuring the hop plants grow tall and strong up the strings. If you would like to take part in the next hop garden event, beer tasting and other events, join our TEA Club here.