Rakau is a dual-purpose hop variety developed by HortResearch and officially released in 2007 as part of New Zealand’s innovative hop breeding program.

The New Zealand hop harvest begins in late February and typically runs through to early April, with Rakau being a key variety gathered during this period.

Highly versatile, Rakau can be used at any stage of the brewing process—from bittering to whirlpool to dry hopping. It is prized for its bold stone fruit and fig character, with prominent notes of fresh orchard fruits—especially apricot—layered with a subtle resinous pine quality. Occasionally, the variety is misspelled as “Raku.”

For those seeking comparable hop profiles, experienced brewers often turn to Amarillo or Summit as potential substitutes for Rakau.