Hop Pellet Colors

[shirteesdotnet]

As im not really experienced with other hops besides Hallertau and Saaz, I recently ordered some Polish hops: Marynka and Lublin hops. The Marynka hops that arrived are a nice rich green color and I think around a 9% alpha. The Lublin 3.5%, which is a cousin to Saaz, is a pale green color. I do not remember my last batches of Saaz hops being so pale green as this Lublin. Does the freshness of a hop dictate its green color? Im worried my Lublin hops might be way past expired. They smell OK (I guess), but the pale color has me worried they might be old pellets. If anyone has any experience with Lublin please chime in on this. I dont want to use it in my next batches if it might be old. Ive got 3 new batches Im aching to try and finally found these Polish hops for sale!

-Dave

-PS.. I still have some Hallertau in the fridge from a couple months ago and theyve got more color and aroma than the Lublin that just arrived.

[Derekt2]

Use 'em. Color is a function of resin content and the degree to which the pelletizer oxidizes the surface while extruding the pellet. If they smell good they are fine. If they smell cheesy or papery they are not. BTW, nice selection of wierd hops. Never heard of some of them.