Citra
A hugely popular high-oil aroma hop bursting with tropical fruit, citrus and passionfruit.
About Citra
Citra was released in 2008 and rapidly became one of the most sought-after hops in the world. Its intense tropical and citrus aroma is central to the modern hazy IPA.
Despite a high alpha acid, it is prized above all for aroma and is used heavily in late and dry-hop additions. Demand has often outstripped supply.
Aroma and flavour
Powerful tropical fruit, passionfruit, mango, grapefruit and lime, one of the most intense fruit-forward hops.
By the numbers, Citra typically carries 11 to 15% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 1.5 to 3 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a dual-purpose (aroma-leaning) hop. Published figures are typical values; the real alpha and oil of any given lot vary with the harvest, so a hop bill is usually adjusted to the actual numbers on the package.
Using it in the brewery
Citra is used mostly late: whirlpool and dry hop, where its tropical fruit aroma is at its most vivid. It is the defining hop of many New England IPAs, often paired with Mosaic.
Like all hops, it is best bought as vacuum-packed pellets and kept cold and sealed, since oxygen and warmth degrade the alpha acids and drive off the aroma oils over time. Buy close to when you will brew, and store any opened packets cold and airtight.
Substitutes
If Citra is unavailable, Mosaic and Galaxy make the closest substitute, sharing a similar aroma family and a comparable alpha and oil profile. A substitute is a close match rather than an identical clone, so expect it to shift the character a little.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 11 to 15% |
| Beta acid | 3.5 to 4.5% |
| Total oil | 1.5 to 3 |
| Typical use | Dual-purpose (aroma-leaning) |
| Origin | United States, released 2008 |
Typical published figures; harvest and batch vary.
Match this hop to a yeast
Open the YeastMatch selectorPair a hop with the right yeast, or find a substitute.Find Citra hops on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties ยท Hopslist variety data