Contessa
Alpha acid
3–5%
Beta acid
5–7.4%
Total oil
0.8–1.9 mL
United States
Mosaic
Alpha acid
11.5–13.5%
Beta acid
3.2–3.9%
Total oil
1–1.5 mL
United States
Key differences
When to pick Contessa
- Higher beta acid - smoother, longer-lasting bitterness
- Bittering workhorse - efficient in the mash
When to pick Mosaic
- Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering
- Versatile - works for both bittering and aroma
- Richer, more complex aroma profile
Aroma profile and use
No shared aromas - the varieties have divergent profiles.
Only in Contessa
GreenFloralLemongrassPear
Only in Mosaic
BlueberryTropicalCitrusGrassyPineSpicyTangerinePapayaRoseEarthyBlossomBubblegumGrapefruit
Property
| Property | Contessa | Mosaic |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 3–5% | 11.5–13.5% |
| Beta acid | 5–7.4% | 3.2–3.9% |
| Co-humulone | 29–32% | 24–26% |
| Total oil | 0.8–1.9 mL | 1–1.5 mL |
| Myrcene | - | 47–55% |
| Humulene | - | 10–16% |
| Caryophyllene | - | 3–8% |
| Farnesene | - | 0–1% |
| Origin | United States | United States |
| Purpose | Bittering | Dual purpose |