Sometimes called Hop 'Asparagus', presumably to help justify the exorbitant price. Hops are grown mainly for the flowers used to flavour beer, the shoots are edible from around March to May. Hops are closely related to cannabis, and only marginally cheaper.
Oast House used for hop-drying, near Parsonage Farm, Salehurst
Image: Oast House Archive
Original Receipt in Evelyn 1699;30. Hops, Lupulus: Hot and moist, rather Medicinal, than fit for sallet; the Buds and young Tendrels excepted, which may be eaten raw; but more conveniently being boil'd, and cold like Asparagus: They are Diuretic; depurate the Blood, and open Obstructions.