Wai-iti™ Hops
AromaAlpha 2.5 - 3.5%New Zealand
Flavor & aroma
Wai-iti™ is a vibrant New Zealand aroma hop released in 2011 alongside its cousin, Kohatu®. Developed by the New Zealand Plant & Food Research program, this triploid variety was bred from a lineage that includes the refined Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Liberty. While its ancestors are known for "Noble" spice, Wai-iti was specifically engineered to move in a completely different direction: maximum fruit impact with exceptionally low bitterness.
Because of its gentle alpha acid content, Wai-iti has become a "secret weapon" for brewers of Hazy IPAs and sessionable summer ales. It was designed for those who want to drenched a beer in tropical aromatics while avoiding the resinous "hop burn" often associated with high-alpha varieties. It is a specialized tool for the modern brewhouse, almost exclusively reserved for late-kettle additions, the whirlpool, or the dry hop.
If you can't find Wai-iti, the best alternatives are Amarillo®, Motueka™, or Riwaka™.
At A Glance
| Profile | Strong citrus: lemon, lime zest and mandarin oranges. |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 2.5 - 3.5% |
| Substitutes | Amarillo®, Motueka™, Riwaka™ |
| Pairs with | Kohatu® (for a tropical pine contrast), Nelson Sauvin™ (for a complex fruit/wine blend), Riwaka™ (to amplify citrus) |
| Beer Styles | Hazy India Pale Ale, Session Ale, Wheat Ale, Pilsner, Saison |
General Information
| Country | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Aliases | HORT7709, Waiiti |
| Storage Stability | Very good |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 2.5 - 3.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 4.5 - 5.5% |
| Cohumulone | 22.0 - 24.0% |
| Total Oil | 1.2 - 1.6 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 3.0 - 5.0% |
| Humulene | 25.0 - 30.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.0 - 11.0% |
| Farnesene | 12.0 - 15.0% |
| Linalool | 0.5% |
| Geraniol | 0.2% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid season |
| Growth Rate | High |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; suited for professional mechanical picking |
| Sex | Female (Triploid) |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | Medium |
- 2026-03-01 17:08:22