Hop picking was once a common agricultural activity in Kent, England, including in the areas of Luton and Chatham. During the hop harvest, which typically occurred in September, large numbers of people would be employed to pick the hops, which are the flowers of the hop plant. Hops are used as a flavoring and preservative in beer, and they were an important crop in Kent for centuries.
Hop picking was a labor-intensive job, and it was often done by hand. Pickers would use ladders or hop stands to reach the hops, and they would carefully pick the flowers into baskets. The hops would then be taken to the oast house, where they would be dried and prepared for use in brewing.
Hop picking was a social event, and it was often seen as a fun and rewarding way to earn extra money. Hop pickers would often camp out in the hop fields during the harvest, and they would enjoy singing, dancing, and other activities in the evenings.
Hop picking declined in popularity in the 20th century, as mechanization made the job less labor-intensive. However, there are still a few hop farms in Kent that use hand-picked hops, and hop picking is still a popular activity for some people.
If you are interested in learning more about hop picking in Kent, there are a number of museums and websites that have information on the subject. You can also visit a hop farm during the harvest season to see hop picking in action.
No comments:
Post a Comment