Pacific Jade
Bold citrus and black pepper character with herbal spice — fresh lemon-lime and cracked pepper over a clean, soft bitterness.
Where It Lives
- Spicy & Earthy (primary)
- Tropical & Citrus (secondary)
Storytime
Pacific Jade is a New Zealand hop released in 2004 by HortResearch at Riwaka. It comes from a cross of the New Zealand variety First Choice and an old-line Saaz male, giving it both high alpha power and a more refined aromatic side. The standout character is a combination of bright citrus (lemon, lime, Meyer lemon) and a distinct crushed black pepper spice, backed by herbal notes. Despite its relatively high alpha acids, it delivers a soft, rounded bitterness thanks to moderate cohumulone levels. That combination of clean bittering strength and bold citrus-pepper aroma makes it a versatile dual-purpose hop with more personality than most high-alpha varieties.
Key Specs
- Alpha Acids: 12 – 14%
- Total Oil: 1.1 – 1.5 mL/100g
- Origin: New Zealand
- Form: Pellet
- Common Substitutions: Magnum (for bittering) or Saaz and Pacifica (in some aroma roles)
- More tech specs here
Practical Use
Pacific Jade works well across the boil. Early additions give a clean, soft bitterness, while late boil, whirlpool, and dry hop additions bring out the citrus and black pepper character. Most brewers use it as a dual-purpose hop, with total rates of 1–3 oz in 5 gallons depending on whether the focus is bittering or aroma. Higher late additions push the pepper and citrus more aggressively.
Brew day tip:
It pairs especially well with Motueka or other citrus-forward NZ hops when you want to amplify the lemon-lime side, or with classic noble hops when you want the peppery spice to stand out. It also works nicely on its own in pale ales, IPAs, and hoppy lagers where you want both structure and distinctive character.