Motueka Hops
Motueka™ is a highly versatile New Zealand aroma hop renowned for its distinctive fresh “Mojito” lime character. It delivers lively flavours and aromas of crushed lime, lemon zest, tropical fruit and subtle floral herbs, making it an excellent choice for both refreshing lagers and expressive hop-forward ales.
Motueka T90 hop pellets are particularly well suited to New Zealand Pilsners, West Coast Pilsners, saisons, pale ales and IPAs. It performs beautifully across multiple additions and can be used as a single-hop variety or paired with other New Zealand and American hops.
Motueka Hop Specifications
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Origin: New Zealand
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Variety identification: 87.14-20
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Heritage: New Zealand breeding selection crossed with Saaz
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Form: T90 hop pellets
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Alpha acids: Approx. 5.5–10%
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Beta acids: Approx. 5–5.5%
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Cohumulone: Approx. 28–32% of alpha acids
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Total oils: Approx. 0.8–1.5ml per 100g
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Primary use: Aroma, flavour and dual-purpose
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Aroma profile: Mojito lime, lemon, tropical fruit and floral herbs
Alpha acid levels vary between crops and individual batches. Check the product title, packaging or current certificate of analysis for the exact alpha-acid content before calculating bitterness.
What Do Motueka Hops Taste Like?
Motueka produces a fresh, lively citrus profile with flavours and aromas reminiscent of:
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Freshly crushed Mojito lime
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Lime zest and lime cordial
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Lemon and citrus peel
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Tropical fruit
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Subtle floral notes
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Gentle herbs and spice
Its combination of New World citrus and Saaz-derived refinement makes Motueka suitable for everything from delicate pilsners and saisons to heavily hopped pale ales and IPAs.
How to Use Motueka Hops
Motueka can be used throughout the brewing process, but its signature lime character is best showcased in flavour and aroma additions.
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Bittering: Use early in the boil for balanced bitterness with gentle citrus character.
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Late boil: Add during the final 5–10 minutes for fresh lime, lemon and tropical flavour.
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Whirlpool: Add at approximately 75–85°C to retain its bright citrus and floral aroma.
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Dry hopping: Add during or after fermentation for maximum Mojito lime, lemon zest and tropical-fruit character.
Motueka is particularly effective when used across multiple additions in a single-hop beer. A clean bittering hop such as Magnum can also be used early in the boil, allowing Motueka to be reserved for the whirlpool and dry hop.
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
The following rates are practical starting points. “Aroma addition” refers to hops added during the final 10 minutes of the boil or in the whirlpool.
| Recommended beer style | Aroma addition | Dry hop |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Pilsner | 0.5–1.5g/L | 0.5–2g/L |
| Hop-Forward Lager | 0.5–2g/L | 1–2.5g/L |
| West Coast Pilsner | 1–2.5g/L | 1.5–3.5g/L |
| Saison or Farmhouse Ale | 0.5–2.5g/L | 0.5–3g/L |
| Witbier or Citrus Wheat Beer | 0.5–2g/L | 0–2g/L |
| Session Pale Ale | 1–2.5g/L | 2–4g/L |
| New Zealand Pale Ale | 2–4g/L | 3–6g/L |
| Hazy Pale Ale | 2.5–5g/L | 4–8g/L |
| New Zealand IPA | 3–6g/L | 5–10g/L |
| West Coast IPA | 2.5–5g/L | 4–8g/L |
| Hazy IPA or New England IPA | 3–6g/L | 6–12g/L |
| Double IPA | 4–7g/L | 8–15g/L |
These rates refer to the total hops used at each stage. When using Motueka in a hop blend, it can make up approximately 25–50% of the total aroma or dry-hop addition.
Motueka can also be used for 100% of the addition in a single-hop beer. Start toward the lower end in pilsners, wheat beers and saisons to retain balance with the malt and fermentation character.
What Hops Pair Well with Motueka?
Motueka pairs beautifully with other New Zealand hops and modern citrus-forward varieties.
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Nelson Sauvin adds white wine, gooseberry and tropical complexity.
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Riwaka adds intense pink grapefruit, lime and passionfruit.
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Nectaron adds peach, pineapple and passionfruit.
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Superdelic adds red fruit, candy, citrus and tropical fruit.
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Citra adds grapefruit, lime, mango and passionfruit.
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Mosaic adds berry, citrus, tropical fruit and subtle dankness.
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Saaz adds traditional spice, herbs and earthy character.
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Hallertau Mittelfrüh adds delicate floral, spicy and herbal notes.
Motueka Hop Substitutions
There is no exact substitute for Motueka’s distinctive Mojito lime character. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives include:
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Riwaka for intense lime, grapefruit and passionfruit
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Wai-iti for lime, peach and delicate stone fruit
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Pacifica for citrus, orange, floral and spicy notes
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Citra for lime, grapefruit and tropical fruit
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Saaz for delicate spice, herbs and traditional lager character
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Sterling for Saaz-like spice with additional citrus
When substituting another variety, recalculate any bitterness contribution using the alpha-acid percentage of the replacement hop.
Freshly Packed and Cold Stored
Our Motueka T90 hop pellets are sealed in barrier packaging and cold stored to help protect their delicate essential oils, aroma, flavour and brewing quality.
For best results, keep unopened hops refrigerated or frozen. After opening, remove as much air as possible, reseal securely and return them to the freezer.
Explore our complete range of Australian and New Zealand hops or shop all homebrewing hops available from Border Brewing Supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Motueka an aroma or bittering hop?
Motueka is primarily an aroma and flavour hop, although its moderate alpha-acid content allows it to be used throughout the boil. Its distinctive lime and tropical character is best preserved in late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions.
What flavour does Motueka add to beer?
Motueka is best known for fresh Mojito lime, lemon zest and tropical-fruit character. It may also contribute subtle floral, herbal and spicy notes inherited from its Saaz heritage.
Can Motueka be used as a single hop?
Yes. Motueka is an excellent single-hop variety because it can provide bitterness, flavour and aroma. It works particularly well in New Zealand Pilsners, pale ales, saisons and IPAs.
Is Motueka suitable for dry hopping?
Yes. Dry hopping showcases Motueka’s fresh lime, lemon and tropical aroma. It can be used alone or combined with Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, Nectaron, Citra or Mosaic.
How much Motueka should I use?
The ideal amount depends on the beer style and desired intensity. A New Zealand Pilsner may use approximately 0.5–2g/L in the dry hop, while pale ales may use 3–6g/L. Intensely aromatic IPAs may use total dry-hop rates of approximately 5–12g/L.
When using a hop blend, Motueka can make up approximately 25–50% of the total aroma or dry-hop addition.
What temperature should I use for a Motueka whirlpool addition?
A whirlpool temperature of approximately 75–85°C is a useful starting point. This helps retain Motueka’s lime, lemon and tropical aroma while limiting additional bitterness.
Can Motueka be used in a New Zealand Pilsner?
Yes. Motueka is one of the best choices for a New Zealand Pilsner. Its fresh lime and lemon character adds a modern New Zealand edge while its Saaz heritage remains compatible with traditional pilsner malt and lager yeast.
Can Motueka be used in a Saison?
Yes. Motueka’s lime, lemon, floral and herbal character complements the peppery, fruity and dry fermentation profile of a Saison.
What is the best hop to pair with Motueka?
Nelson Sauvin is an excellent pairing for lime, white wine and gooseberry character. Riwaka produces a more intense citrus and passionfruit combination, while Nectaron adds peach, pineapple and fuller tropical fruit.
How should Motueka hops be stored?
Keep unopened Motueka hops refrigerated or frozen in their original sealed packaging. Once opened, remove as much air as possible, reseal securely and store them in the freezer.
