First, even though they’re a climbing plant, technically they’re not vines, but bines as they have a squarish, prickly stem.
Second, their claim to fame comes not from some gorgeous blossom, but from an elegant, paper leafed cone, or rather, from what that cone conceals. For when you break open a hop cone, deep within, packed along the center stem are miniscule, golden glowing orbs.
Lupulin.
This is the oil whose fragrance and taste you recognize in hoppy beers, or hop pillows, or aromatherapy mixtures.
While picking, some of it comes out of the cone and give my fingers a ‘cheetos’ look and a wonderful, relaxing yet exhilarating, almost pine-like fragrance.
I’m sure the uninformed observer looks on wrinkling her brow as this man, dressed in fleece and baseball cap stands against Fall’s winds, raises his hand to his face and seemingly smell his fingers!(?)
Scribbled Musings 