Citra CRYO Hops USA

Yakima Chief Citra® Cryo Hops

Ultra-concentrated version of the incredibly popular Citra® (HBC 394) hop variety. Created by Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) using a patented cryogenic processing technology, whole hop cones are frozen with liquid nitrogen to separate the intense lupulin glands from the vegetative bract. This results in a pellet that delivers double the aromatic oils and alpha acids of a standard T-90 hop pellet, allowing brewers to use roughly half the usual dosage while maximizing flavor yield and reducing beer loss.

Hop Profile & Technical Specs

• Aroma Profile: Intensely juicy and complex notes of citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, lime, and melon.
• Alpha Acids: Highly concentrated at 21% to 28% (compared to 10–16% in standard Citra).
• Primary Use: Primarily aroma, whirlpool, and dry-hopping.
• Styles: Universally favored in New England IPAs (NEIPAs), Hazy IPAs, American Pale Ales, and Double IPAs.

Brewing Advantages

• Higher Yield: Removing the vegetative plant matter means less liquid absorption (less trub), saving homebrewers and commercial breweries significant volume per batch.
• Curbs Hop Creep: Because the majority of diastatic enzymes reside in the hop bract, using Cryo Hops dramatically reduces the risk of over-attenuation during dry-hopping.
• Cleaner Flavor: Minimizes the astringent, grassy, or vegetal flavors that can occur when heavy amounts of traditional pellets are used.
  

Recommended Usage

• Dosing Rate: Use 40% to 50% of the weight required for standard T-90 pellets.
• Application: Ideal for late-boil additions (5 minutes or less), whirlpool hop stands, or active/post-fermentation dry-hopping.
  
• Styles: Universally favored in New England IPAs (NEIPAs), Hazy IPAs, American Pale Ales, and Double IPAs.
• Storage: Because the lupulin glands are exposed, they degrade quicker when in contact with oxygen.
• Always keep vacuum-sealed and frozen.
• Are you planning to brew a specific recipe like a Hazy IPA or a Pale Ale? I can help you calculate the exact hop substitutions or design a whirlpool/dry-hop schedule for your next batch.