Motueka™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Motueka™ is a captivating New Zealand variety that represents a perfect bridge between Old World tradition and New World vibrancy. Originally developed by Plant & Food Research under the name "B Saaz," this triploid aroma hop was created by crossing the legendary Czech Saaz with a proprietary New Zealand breeding line. The result is a hop that possesses the refined, spicy structural integrity of a Noble hop, yet explodes with the zesty, tropical intensity characteristic of the Nelson and Tasman growing regions. This unique genetic makeup makes Motueka™ an indispensable dual-purpose tool, equally capable of providing a modern twist on a classic pilsner or adding a bright citrus "lift" to a hazy IPA.

The sensory profile of Motueka™ is a vivid and refreshing arrangement of bright citrus and crushed tropical herbs. It leads with a primary, "zesty" bouquet of fresh lime zest, lemon balm, and mojito mint, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of sweet basil, floral honey, and a hint of green apple. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant "Noble" earthiness and a subtle peppery snap that remains exceptionally clean on the palate. Thanks to its balanced oil composition and high farnesene levels, Motueka™ delivers a soft, integrated bitterness and a crisp, effervescent finish—the definitive choice for imparting a sense of sun-drenched New Zealand brightness.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Motueka, the best alternatives are Riwaka™, Saaz, or Sterling.

At A Glance

Profile Lime Zest, Lemon Balm, Mojito Mint, Sweet Basil, Floral Honey, Green Apple, Earthiness, Pepper
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 6.5 - 7.5%
Substitutes Riwaka™, Saaz, Sterling
Pairs with Citra® (to push the lime into a tropical juice profile), Nelson Sauvin™ (to create the quintessential NZ duo), Saaz (to reinforce the peppery/traditional pilsner foundation)
Beer Styles Pilsner (NZ Style), Saison, Witbier, Northeast India Pale Ale, Tropical Lager

General Information

Country New Zealand
Alias B Saaz
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 6.5 - 7.5%
Beta Acid 5.0 - 5.5%
Cohumulone 28.0 - 30.0%
Total Oil 0.8 - 1.2 mg/100g
Myrcene 45.0 - 50.0%
Humulene 13.0 - 16.0%
Caryophyllene 2.0 - 5.0%
Farnesene 10.0 - 14.0%
Linalool 0.8 - 1.2%
B-Pinene 0.3 - 0.5%
Geraniol ~0.2%
Selinene 0.5 - 1.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,400 - 1,700 lbs/acre
Maturity Early to Mid Season
Growth Rate High / Vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, oval, and moderately dense. The cones are noted for their high lupulin density and a d
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically bred for commercial efficiency, the bines are structurally strong, and the c
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium Green
Side Arm Length 15" - 25" (medium)

Motueka Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Basil Earth Floral Honey Green Apple Lemon Lime Zest Mint Pepper
Variety Name
Citra Nelson Sauvin Riwaka Saaz Sterling
Beer Style
Northeast India Pale Ale Pilsner (nz Style) Saison Tropical Lager Witbier
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Plant & Food Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-26 08:53:52
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.