Fresh-crushed lime, lemon zest and a whiff of tropical fruit — the grower calls it a “Mojito” character, and it's hard to argue. Motueka is a New Zealand hop with Saaz in its family tree.
Alpha 6.5–7.5 % · Beta 5.0–5.5 % · Boil to dry hop · T90 pellets · Crop 2025 · 100 g
What it does in your beer
First impressions are lively, intense fresh lime, followed by tropical fruit and lemon zest; big citrus notes dominate. Crop data for this lot describes a hoppy aroma with delicate citrus tones, balanced bitterness and a high farnesene content.
It is versatile: from the first kettle addition to the late ones, and in the dry hop. The grower points it at everything from saisons to Pilsners, lighter lagers and big ales, and notes it brings a new-world edge to traditional Pilsner styles.
At a glance
| Variety | Motueka™ (also known as Saaz B) |
| Bred by | New Zealand Plant & Food Research — Saaz × New Zealand selection (triploid) |
| Released | 1996 (variety data) |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Crop year | 2025 |
| Form | T90 pellets |
| Pack size | 100 g |
| Alpha acids | 6.5–7.5 % |
| Beta acids | 5.0–5.5 % |
| Co-humulone | 28–32 % (variety typical, grower data) |
| Total oil | 0.8–1.5 ml/100 g (variety typical, grower data) |
| Farnesene | 10–15 % of total oil (variety typical) |
| Purpose | Dual purpose — first addition to dry hop |
| Aroma | Lime, lemon zest, tropical fruit, citrus |
What 10 g does in 20 L
| Added at | IBU from 10 g in 20 L (approx.) |
| 60 min | ≈ 8 |
| 30 min | ≈ 6 |
| 15 min | ≈ 4 |
| 5 min | ≈ 2 |
Approx., Tinseth formula, OG 1.050, mid alpha 7.0 %. Recalculate with the alpha on your pack.
How to use
- Any addition: recommended from the first to the third kettle addition. 10 g at 60 minutes gives about 8 IBU in 20 L.
- Dry hop: recommended too.
- Single-hop bill: the grower notes it works well in multiple additions from a single hop bill.
- Pilsners and lighter lagers: a classic use, bringing a new-world edge to a traditional style.
Pairs well with
Brewing a New Zealand-style Pilsner? Pair it with Czech Pilsner Malt and SafLager W-34/70.
Brewing a saison? Lallemand Farmhouse yeast is in the range. Want even more lime at the end? Amplifire Motueka hop oil.
Storage & shelf life
- Keep it sealed, cold, dark and dry until brew day.
- New Zealand grower guidance is to refrigerate hops as close to freezing as possible, with about +2 °C acceptable for shorter-term storage.
- Once opened, reseal with as little air as possible and use it soon.
Food information
- Name: Hop pellets, Motueka™
- Ingredients: hop pellets (Humulus lupulus)
- Allergens: not one of the 14 allergens in EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
- Net quantity: 100 g
- Country of origin: New Zealand
- Storage: refrigerated, sealed, dry and dark
Good to know
- Crop 2025: the alpha (6.5–7.5 %) and beta (5.0–5.5 %) above are this crop's values; co-humulone and oil are variety typical.
- Motueka is sometimes called Saaz B — same hop.
- Motueka™ is a trademark of New Zealand Hops Limited.
- Ordering equipment too? Your hops set off from our partner warehouse in the Czech Republic and turn up in a parcel of their own.
FAQ
Is Motueka the same as Saaz?
No. It's a New Zealand triploid bred from Saaz and a New Zealand selection, sometimes called Saaz B. Its character is fresh lime and citrus.
What does Motueka taste like?
Fresh lime, lemon zest and tropical fruit — the grower calls it a “Mojito” lime character.
Which beers suit Motueka?
Pilsners, lighter lagers, saisons and bigger ales.
How many IBU does 10 g give?
About 8 IBU in 20 L at 60 minutes (approx., Tinseth, OG 1.050, mid alpha 7.0 %).