Trinidad Hops Bread (recipe)

Trinidad Hops Bread

Oh sweet sweet blogosphere. Does my devotion have no end!? It’s the middle of the night and I have a sudden hankering for Hops! Now what is hops? I am sure for most of you you are thinking about some kind of grain and the beermaking process. No no no no no no. Hops is the most basic of breakfast breads/buns here in Trinidad. I have no idea how it got its name, maybe it has to do with the lengthy yeast development stage before flour is added? Its distinctive smell, taste and shape I think are some of the earliest memories of morning for many a Trini child. I know that there was a ‘Hops man’ who visited my Aunt’s area and I would love to be at her home when he arrived with his freshly baked batch! So now that I am up and I have gotten a few hits already looking for a Hops recipe I thought hmmm why not make some tonight. I am sure it will be a welcome morning surprise for my parents as well :) lol

Note: Even though Hops is traditionally made solely with white flour, my family always adds wholewheat to everything (health benefits people!) so my Hops Recipe reflects this. I think it gives it a lovely nuttiness while keeping the light airiness that you expect from such a roll :)


Hops Bread (adapted from the Naparima Girls Cookbook)

1 package dry yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp melted shortening
4 cups white flour
2 cups wholewheat flour
2 1/2 cups warm water
2 tsp salt

1. Pour warm water into a large bowl
2. Dissolve sugar in water
3. Dissolve yeast over sugar and water and allow to develop for 10 minutes
4. Stir yeast mixture with a fork and add melted shortening
5. Gradually stir in flour and salt.
6. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes adding flour if necessary to make a medium stiff dough

7. Grease bowl and top of dough, cover and allow to rest for 20-25 minutes
8. Punch down dough, form in balls, place on greased trays

9. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until doubled (1 – 1.5 hours)

10. Bake in a 400F oven for 15 minutes

Makes 12-14 hops

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Passionate foodie, founder of Trinigourmet and Caribbean Lifestyle Maven. Author of "Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes"

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139 Responses to " Trinidad Hops Bread (recipe) "

  1. Sarina says:

    Marsha – muahahaha my mother don’t bake… well she did years ago… but i never watched her… i dunno… it just kinda happened.. my first few attempts were doorstops… :lol: trial and error til i found something that worked for me :)

  2. Marsha says:

    Ok I feel justified in being jealous LOL :)

  3. Marsha says:

    Ok I feel justified in being jealous LOL :)

  4. Marsha says:

    Ok I feel justified in being jealous LOL :)

  5. Sarina says:

    Marsha – steupz :P

  6. Sarina says:

    Marsha – steupz :P

  7. Chennette says:

    So occasionally I reread your posts :-)
    And I just checked out the pandesal pics on Flickr – so, is the “Pan de Sal” related to Bajan Salt Bread? Some of the pics look like salt bread and some look crustier, like hops. So very interesting. I supposed to be sleeping but now I want to search. Sleep…surf…sleep…search…sigh.

  8. Chennette says:

    So occasionally I reread your posts :-)
    And I just checked out the pandesal pics on Flickr – so, is the “Pan de Sal” related to Bajan Salt Bread? Some of the pics look like salt bread and some look crustier, like hops. So very interesting. I supposed to be sleeping but now I want to search. Sleep…surf…sleep…search…sigh.

  9. Chennette says:

    It’s not salty. At all. But not sweet either. Just bread, baked up in a big sort of oval shape – supposed to be a single serving roll, but they’re more like twice that I think.
    Recipe here – www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/About_Barbados/Local_Information/Barbados_Food/Barbados_Recipes/4119.htm

  10. Chennette says:

    It’s not salty. At all. But not sweet either. Just bread, baked up in a big sort of oval shape – supposed to be a single serving roll, but they’re more like twice that I think.
    Recipe here – www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/About_Barbados/Local_Information/Barbados_Food/Barbados_Recipes/4119.htm

  11. Chennette says:

    Looking all over for a picture – Cynthia had one! tastesofguyana.blogspot.com/2007/03/these-are-few.html

  12. Chennette says:

    Looking all over for a picture – Cynthia had one! tastesofguyana.blogspot.com/2007/03/these-are-few.html

  13. Chennette says:

    Is it working now? I don’t know anything about an invisible box/setting

  14. Chennette says:

    Is it working now? I don’t know anything about an invisible box/setting

  15. Chennette says:

    Is it working now? I don’t know anything about an invisible box/setting

  16. ejm says:

    Your hops look delicious, Sarina. Just to clarify, is a packet of yeast about 2+1/2tsp? And does your recipe make 9 or 18 hops?

    -Elizabeth

  17. ejm says:

    Your hops look delicious, Sarina. Just to clarify, is a packet of yeast about 2+1/2tsp? And does your recipe make 9 or 18 hops?

    -Elizabeth

  18. Ramona Ramdeen says:

    The hops was good but how about the receipe for currents roll

  19. Ramona Ramdeen says:

    The hops was good but how about the receipe for currents roll

  20. Ramona Ramdeen says:

    The hops was good but how about the receipe for currents roll

  21. Rea Rahaman says:

    do you have the receipe for doubles? I would very much like a copy. thank you

  22. Rea Rahaman says:

    do you have the receipe for doubles? I would very much like a copy. thank you

  23. MARLON says:

    Question?

    Do you have a recipe for butter bread?

    Your response would be appreciated

    ty

  24. MARLON says:

    Question?

    Do you have a recipe for butter bread?

    Your response would be appreciated

    ty

  25. Sweet says:

    So *this* is the recipe I’ve been looking for! Every reciped I tried tastes nothing like what mom used to make. She always made bread but I never knew it was called “hops” bread. Interesting. I shall try this recipe.

  26. Sweet says:

    So *this* is the recipe I’ve been looking for! Every reciped I tried tastes nothing like what mom used to make. She always made bread but I never knew it was called “hops” bread. Interesting. I shall try this recipe.

  27. sweetrini says:

    Hi everyone happy holidays to u and family I did try the baking this recipe using whole wheat flour and I make the long bread and my bf love the way it came out so now I am baking bread for him every weekend

  28. sweetrini says:

    Hi everyone happy holidays to u and family I did try the baking this recipe using whole wheat flour and I make the long bread and my bf love the way it came out so now I am baking bread for him every weekend

  29. Sarina says:

    Lilandra – nyam! :) wish i knew how to fix the trackbacks… been trying for over a year… it’s intermittent :(

  30. Sarina says:

    Lilandra – nyam! :) wish i knew how to fix the trackbacks… been trying for over a year… it’s intermittent :(

  31. Samantha says:

    I gonna try this although flour and i don’t agree

  32. Samantha says:

    I gonna try this although flour and i don’t agree

  33. venessa bruton says:

    well i did try that hops bread,all i can say was WOW…….
    it was so easy to make,i never thougth i chould bake bread until i’ve try makein hops,the rescipe was very easy to read and understand.
    and my bread came out very nice.
    cookin,cleanin,watchin etc was nothing for me to do until it came to bakein bread,i had a big problem then i try make hops one day and the first time i tryed it it came out so well i had to try it again.
    now that the only bread i use home,and what makes it even better is that i made it home all by myself,NICEEEEE.

  34. venessa bruton says:

    well i did try that hops bread,all i can say was WOW…….
    it was so easy to make,i never thougth i chould bake bread until i’ve try makein hops,the rescipe was very easy to read and understand.
    and my bread came out very nice.
    cookin,cleanin,watchin etc was nothing for me to do until it came to bakein bread,i had a big problem then i try make hops one day and the first time i tryed it it came out so well i had to try it again.
    now that the only bread i use home,and what makes it even better is that i made it home all by myself,NICEEEEE.

  35. Mark says:

    Sarina, I found your hops bread while searching for a Bajan salt bread recipe. Now I have both I’ll try them to recreate the Caribbean in cold Canada. Thanks.
    .-= Mark´s last blog ..Justice in a Framework of Injustice? =-.

  36. Mark says:

    Sarina, I found your hops bread while searching for a Bajan salt bread recipe. Now I have both I’ll try them to recreate the Caribbean in cold Canada. Thanks.
    .-= Mark´s last blog ..Justice in a Framework of Injustice? =-.

  37. [...] burger stand.The sign reads “Bake & Shark, Burgers (Beef/Chicken), Fries, Soft Drinks, Hops & Cheese)” and at the bottom “Real Trini Style”.I love Trini-style [...]

  38. Longtime Baker says:

    Being in the baking business for a long time….way back when we used to make hops bread with hops as the levening agent ( hence the name "Hops Bread") this recipe is a far far cry from hops to say the least. please go do some more research, since trinidadians NEVER made Hops Bread from Wholewheat flour. 'Wholewheat Hops' was only introduced when the health craze kicked in. Thus leaving the original recipe in shambles For all those health crazed idiots out there…Hops Bread is probably the only White flour bread that can match any health bread that is on the market now, since it is only made with Flour, Salt, Yeast (or Hops..if you can get it) and Shortening.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    PLease don't present yourself to be something you are not…By this recipe, you are definitely NOT a Baker

    • Sarina says:

      I believe I was quite clear in pointing out that white flour is the traditional method and that wholewheat is a variation that my family prefers. I'll let them know they are 'idiots'. Cheers ;)

    • Jaz Borden says:

      Yeah, so Longtime Baker, if you have nothing of merit to say, especially in a non abrasive manner, keep your comments to yourself and stop tainting the blogosphere. I think I'll have a lot of people backing me on that. You have a good day now :-)

    • trinikee says:

      Hello Longtime Baker, I have been looking for another hops bread recipe and it sounds like you have a lot of experience in baking, so can you provide us with your version of the recipe? Thanks.

  39. Longtime Baker says:

    Being in the baking business for a long time….way back when we used to make hops bread with hops as the levening agent ( hence the name "Hops Bread") this recipe is a far far cry from hops to say the least. please go do some more research, since trinidadians NEVER made Hops Bread from Wholewheat flour. 'Wholewheat Hops' was only introduced when the health craze kicked in. Thus leaving the original recipe in shambles For all those health crazed idiots out there…Hops Bread is probably the only White flour bread that can match any health bread that is on the market now, since it is only made with Flour, Salt, Yeast (or Hops..if you can get it) and Shortening.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    PLease don't present yourself to be something you are not…By this recipe, you are definitely NOT a Baker

    • Sarina says:

      I believe I was quite clear in pointing out that white flour is the traditional method and that wholewheat is a variation that my family prefers. I'll let them know they are 'idiots'. Cheers ;)

    • Jaz Borden says:

      Yeah, so Longtime Baker, if you have nothing of merit to say, especially in a non abrasive manner, keep your comments to yourself and stop tainting the blogosphere. I think I'll have a lot of people backing me on that. You have a good day now :-)

    • trinikee says:

      Hello Longtime Baker, I have been looking for another hops bread recipe and it sounds like you have a lot of experience in baking, so can you provide us with your version of the recipe? Thanks.

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