Description
Prima Donna or First Gold Hop Plant/Rhizome
Prima Donna hop plant (otherwise known as First Gold) is a dwarf variety, designed to grow to a height of around 2-3 metres in a hedgerow system. Bred at Wye College in 1995 this is a plant at the cutting edge of hop breeding. It’s a good choice for small gardens where space is limited as it produces short laterals. If left to its own devices this hop will ramble over a trellis like any other variety.
Prima Donna will start green and turn a little yellow later in the season, with a large number of medium to large and compact cones. Due to its wonderful aroma, Prima Donna is used in brewing to produce a traditional light bitter, and other pale and Blonde ales, with a flavour described as fruity with spicy notes.
Substitutes: East Kent Goldings
| Characteristics | Tangerine, orange, cinnamon aroma, marmalade flavors |
| Purpose | Bittering & Aroma |
| Alpha Acid Composition | 5.6%-9.3% |
| Beta Acid Composition | 2.3%-4.1% |
| Co-Humulone Composition | 31%-36% |
| Country | UK |
| Cone Size | Medium to large |
| Cone Density | Moderate to compact |
| Seasonal Maturity | Mid |
| Yield Amount | 1100-1700 kg/hectare (980-1500 lbs/acre) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Resistant to | Resistant to powdery mildew and verticillium wilt |
| Susceptible to | Susceptible to downy mildew |
| Storability | Retains 80%-85% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF) |
| Ease of Harvest | Difficult |
| Total Oil Composition | 0.7-1.5 mL/100g |
| Myrcene Oil Composition | 24%-28% |
| Humulene Oil Composition | 20%-24% |
| Caryophyllene Oil | 6%-7% |
| Farnesene Oil | 2%-4% |
| Style Guide | Porter, English Bitter, Wheat Beer, Celtic Ale, Summer Ale, Amber Ale, Dark Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, Imperial India Pale Ale |
