Hops - Pellets or Vacuum?

I've just discovered this place, and have had good fun browsing the recipe database.
The question I wanted to ask is this

When a recipe specifies the hops to be used during boiling, are these pellets or leaf? Or does it not really matter.

Sorry if this is a stupid question

TIA

Joe

 

doesn't matter, it's all personal preference

 

You'll just have more volume by the same weight with whole leaf hops.

 

also, leaf hops will absorb more wort so keep that in mind.

 

Great stuff, thanks for the answers

 

Leaf

Pros.
-No desctruction of aroma compounds during processing
-easy to seperate from wort

Cons
-Oxidize quicker in storage
-take up more room in the freezer
-Need to use more to get the same IBU's

Pellets
Pros
-oxidize slower
-store easier
-Better IBU's to weight

Cons
-reduced aroma due to shredding.
-can be difficult to seperate from the wort

The cons of pelletization is offset by leaf will have oxidized more in the same time frame.

Hoever the biggest decerning factors when I shop for hops which negates the significance of the pros and cons of both, is how fresh they are i.e what haverest was they from. Many shops sell several years old harvest.And how well they have been stored, i.e in a vaccum packed mylar pouch.

 

My lhbs (JWDover in Westlake) keeps hops in a freezer & yeasts in a fridge,both temp controlled.

 

As do I, when I get them home....