ContessavsTarget

Contessa and Target are popular bittering hops. Below you'll find a comparison of alpha and beta acids, aroma profiles and oil composition.

Contessa

Bittering

Alpha acid

3–5%

Beta acid

5–7.4%

Total oil

0.8–1.9 mL

United States

Target

Bittering

Alpha acid

8.5–13.5%

Beta acid

4.3–5.7%

Total oil

1–1.4 mL

United Kingdom

Key differences

When to pick Contessa

  • Higher beta acid - smoother, longer-lasting bitterness

When to pick Target

  • Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering

Aroma profile and use

No shared aromas - the varieties have divergent profiles.

Only in Contessa

GreenFloralLemongrassPear

Only in Target

CitrusMarmaladeSageSpicyPepper

Property

PropertyContessaTarget
Alpha acid3–5%8.5–13.5%
Beta acid5–7.4%4.3–5.7%
Co-humulone29–32%35–40%
Total oil0.8–1.9 mL1–1.4 mL
Myrcene-45–55%
Humulene-17–23%
Caryophyllene-8–10%
Farnesene-0–1%
OriginUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
PurposeBitteringBittering

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