Nugget
Alpha acid
9.5–16%
Beta acid
3–5.8%
Total oil
0.9–3.3 mL
United States
Smaragd
Alpha acid
4–6%
Beta acid
3.5–5.5%
Total oil
0.4–0.8 mL
Germany
Key differences
When to pick Nugget
- Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering
- More essential oils - more intense aroma
- More myrcene - pronounced citrus and resinous notes
- Versatile - works for both bittering and aroma
- Richer, more complex aroma profile
When to pick Smaragd
- Bittering workhorse - efficient in the mash
Aroma profile and use
No shared aromas - the varieties have divergent profiles.
Only in Nugget
HerbalCitrusGingerPineappleGeraniumLycheeHerbalEarthyCoconut
Only in Smaragd
FloralFruitySpicyTobaccoAniseCloveNoble
Property
| Property | Nugget | Smaragd |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 9.5–16% | 4–6% |
| Beta acid | 3–5.8% | 3.5–5.5% |
| Co-humulone | 22–30% | 13–18% |
| Total oil | 0.9–3.3 mL | 0.4–0.8 mL |
| Myrcene | 48–59% | 20–40% |
| Humulene | 12–22% | 30–50% |
| Caryophyllene | 7–10% | 9–14% |
| Farnesene | 0–1% | 0–1% |
| Origin | United States | Germany |
| Purpose | Dual purpose | Bittering |