They’re Produced In Different Regions
While there is some geographical overlap, tequila and mezcal primarily come from different regions of Mexico.;According to;McEvoy, tequila is produced in five places:;Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Jalisco, which is where the actual town of Tequila is located.
Conversely, mezcal is produced in nine different areas of Mexico. The include include;Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla and Oaxaca, which is where upwards of 85 percent of all mezcal is made.
How Do You Know If Youre Allergic To Tequila
What are the symptoms of alcohol allergy?
Cuervo Was The First Producer Of Tequila In The World
Jose Antonio de Cuervo y Valdes obtained land from the King of Spain in 1758 and began producing tequila all before Mexico became an independent republic. In 1795, his son, Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo, began selling the very first Vino Mezcal de Tequila de Jose Cuervo after receiving the first official charter from the King of Spain to produce tequila commercially.
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A Brief History Of Tequila
Tequila first came about in the 1500s near the;modern-day Mexican;city of Tequila. In pre-Columbian central Mexico, there was a;fermented beverage;from the agave plant known as;pulque. When;Spanish;conquistadors;ran out of their own;alcohol, they started to distill the agave plant.
A few decades later,;the Marquis of Altamira started to mass-produce tequila at his factory in Jalisco. A few centuries later, in the late 1800s, tequila;would be first exported to the United States.
The drink soon became a smash hit and now there are hundreds of companies that produce their own tequila.
All Cuervo Tequila Is Made In Central Mexico
Specifically, the central Mexican town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. According to the Declaration for the Protection of the Denomination of Origin , only alcoholic beverages made with Blue Agave or Agave Azul grown in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas can be labeled tequila. No agave grown outside this region, including other countries, can be used for any product labeled as tequila.
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What Kinds Tequila Are There
There are several kinds of tequila: blanco, joven, reposado, anejo, and extra anejo. Each of these names relates to how long the tequila has been aged. You can technically age tequila for as long as you want, but there arent many brands out there that age it for longer than seven to ten years .;
The most obvious difference between these types of tequilas is their color, which is influenced by their age. Some tequila is clear, while others are a golden color, and others are a dark caramel color. A general rule of thumb regarding the colors of tequila is that the longer it is aged, the darker the color will be. The only time when this rule does not apply is when some companies simply add coloring to their tequila to change the color, and it is not actually aged. Most of the time, however, it is safe to assume that a dark-colored tequila has been aged significantly longer than a clear-colored one.;
Join Don Julio In Person
Don Julio began working at just 10 years old to help support a family of 8 after his father passed away. He distributed tequila by horse, traveling miles to turn a small profit of around 9 pesos a week. But his spirit never dwindled and Don Julio developed a profound intrigue for the subtle flavors that can only result from experimentation. It was this spirit of relentless curiosity that transformed him from a young man with a dream to a man with a legacy.
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Harvesting The Blue Agave
An agave plant usually takes between 8 -12 years to grow to its full size and weighs approximately 40-100 Kg. The Jimador who is a Mexican farmer specialising;in the harvesting;The blue agave plant is actually a succulent of the agave plant He uses a coa to harvest the agave by first cutting away the outer leaves of the agave, leaving only the centre;fruit known as the;Piña .
At;La Alteña;to this day, every step from harvesting the agave to bottling, is done by hand, in the most traditional way.
The Jimador harvesting the agave plant cutting away the outer leaves
The;Piñas are then taken back to the distillery and axed in half and a V shaped bitter wedge is removed from near the root . Many of the more modern distilleries use chain/rip saws or different machinery in order to save time and lower costs of;manpower.
Halving the piñas by hand at Distileria La Alteña
You Can Buy Tequila That Has Been Aged For Over A Decade
Three years might seem like a long aging time for tequila,;but one of the oldest extra añejos currently for sale is actually 11 years old, and will run you upwards of $1000. Its made from 100% organic blue agave and aged in French oak. A wonderful gift for the obsessive tequila lover in your life?
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Tequila Basics And Terms
Tequila is the modern name for a regional mezcal born in the Jaliscan valley of the same name. It is made from a single subvarietal of agave A. tequilana Weber, blue variety commonly known as the blue agave. While tequila was the first mezcal to become widely know outside of Mexico, since 1974 it has not legally been classified; as a mezcal.
Whats The Difference Between Gold And Silver Tequila
Silver tequila also called blanco or white is characterized by its clear appearance. Silver tequila has this color because it is bottled directly after being distilled. It is either aged for a very short period of up to two months or not aged at all. Because of this, some people see silver tequila as often being harsh to drink. It can be either 100 percent agave or a mix.
There are two reasons why gold tequila gets its color. One reason is that it could have been aged in barrels for over a year and gradually absorbed the color and flavor of the wood. The more likely reason is that caramel or other coloring was added to the liquor. These additives make the tequila smoother and easier to drink. This;also means that this kind of tequila is often not 100 percent agave.
Whether it be in the form of a margarita or a shot with lime and salt, come enjoy some tequila at Chapala Mexican Restaurant at either of our two locations!
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And Just For Fun Here Are Four Facts Most People Dont Know About Tequila:
Tequila Is Not Mezcal
The two spirits are often confused, but they are very different. For example, Tequila can only be made from the Blue Agave, grown in specified regions of Jalisco, while mezcal can be made from many different varieties of agave such as Mano Larga, Espadin, etc. Tequila is always double-distilled, while mezcal is generally distilled once.
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The Blue Agave Plant Only Has One Life To Give
It doesnt help efficiency that blue agave is a one-time use plant. Once theyre finally ready to harvest, the agave plants have their piñas or hearts called that because they end up looking like pineapples ripped out. Those are the parts that will be steamed, crushed, and fermented into tequila.
Why Is There A Worm In Tequila
No bottle of tequila will ever have a worm. The worms might show up in a bottle of mezcal, but not always. True tequila, produced under the regulations set by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila, A.C. in Mexico control the standards. No worms. Mezcal on the other hand, may have a worm put in the bottle purely as a marketing gimmick – and it seems to be working. You looked.
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Did This Answer Your Question How Is Tequila Made
We hope we broke down tequila production for you in these seven steps. Many environmental and human factors give each brand of tequila its own unique and distinctive taste.;
Casa Mexico Tequila is honored to partner with the Hacienda Capellanía, a family-owned and operated establishment spanning five generations with over 100 years of experience growing agave and distilling tequila.
This Is What Tequila Is Actually Made From
In the same way that Scotland is known for its whiskey and Jamaica is synonymous with rum, Mexico has a reputation for tequila, a distilled spirit enjoyed around the world often in a margarita or with salt and a lime slice. The United States is the world’s largest consumer of the beverage, and more than 171 million liters were imported in 2017 .;
Americans beat out other countries by a wide margin, with Spain being the world’s second-biggest consumer at a relatively meager 5 million liters. Similar to champagne or bourbon , tequila is also a legally protected term. It can only be used if the liquor was produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, or in certain parts of the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas . Tequila is typically 80 proof and can only be produced using one very specific ingredient.
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What Is Tequila Made From
The rules governing the production of tequila in Mexico are as strict as those that designate the wine appellations in France. Thats why the good stuff is good. Read on.
Homemade classic margarita drink with lime and salt, selective focus
Fraya is a chef and a contributing writer at Food Network.
Modern tequila production began in Mexico in the 1600s, but individual communities were making it as far back as the year 250. Youre probably familiar with the cocktails it has inspired, but lets take a look at how its made, the different varieties and how it’s different from Mezcal.
A Word From The Man Carlos Camarena
I specially select each barrel after a personal tasting. Only the very best quality product will be bottled as Villa Lobos. This tequila is made to honour and respect the memory of my father Don Felipe Camarena and my grandfather, founders of the dynasty. In their name I am proud;to bring you Villa Lobos, one of the greatest tequilas in all of Mexico.
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Why Is Tequila Different From Other Alcohol
Unlike the other 6 types of liquor, tequila is only made in one part of the world.;
Mexico is the only place in the world where tequila production is allowed. The name Tequila is the copyright of the Mexican government.;
All the activities related to tequila are overseen by the Norma Oficial Mexicana . This includes the supply of the agave to the production of the spirit and everything after.;
If a tequila should have a NOM identifier on the bottle . If it doesnt have this then its not authentic or regulated by the Mexican government.
This code also indicates which distillery the bottle comes from. Each distillery is assigned a NOM number by the Mexican government. You can use the NOM number to find out where it was made.
The Agave Plants Importance In Making Tequila
The amazing agave plant is used to create tequila. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. The hot, dry climate makes for the ultimate agave growing conditions. You could technically grow these plants elsewhere, but they are traditionally grown in Mexico for the sole purpose of making tequila and mezcal.
Once this succulent reaches around five years of age, yellow flowers sprout on top, and this represents the end of the agave life cycle. Even more crazya fully grown agave plant can reach heights of seven feet tall!;
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How Is Tequila Made Learn How In These 7 Comprehensive Steps
As the owner/founder of Casa Mexico Tequila, Don Buccios journey into tequila production began when he purchased some of the highest quality agave plants in Jalisco, Mexico. For the past 20 years, hes perfected his vision of creating a unique, yet authentic, premium agave spirit. Casa Mexico Tequila encompasses our founders love for both Mexican culture and his family heritage.
Casa Mexico makes its authentic tequila from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. We can break down tequila production into seven steps: harvesting, cooking, extraction, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. Every effort is regulated by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila, ensuring that general guidelines are followed to guarantee maximum quality. Each distillery has its agave source, processes, quality control, and techniques to perfect and refine the taste.
The Necessary Ingredient In Tequila
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, a member of the succulent family, native to Mexico . The plant grows particularly well in dry soil at an altitude of 5,000 feet or higher and is pollinated by bats .;
People who harvest agave are known as jimadors and they are considered specialists in their field who pass down agave knowledge through the generations . The tequila-making process begins with the core or piña of the plant, which is revealed when the agave’s spiky leaves are stripped away by the jimadors.;
The core of the plant is referred to as the piña because it resembles a huge pineapple. Each piña can weigh between 80 and 300 pounds . The piñas are juiced by first heating and then crushing them, and the liquid that is extracted is fermented and distilled to become tequila . To produce one liter of tequila, around 15 pounds of piña is used.
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The Importance Of Knowing How Is Tequila Made
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you feel that you now have an answer to the question, how is tequila made?
The agave plant has been of great value and significance to the people of Mexico for hundreds if not thousands of years. And the next time you sip on a margarita or shoot back a tequila shot, youll hopefully be able to do so with a new appreciation and understanding of what this drink actually consists of and all of the work that went into making it.
Whether youre throwing a party or just want to try some for yourself, weve got you covered. So contact us today and see what we can do for you!
Tequila Rules & Regulations
Tequila is arguably the most highly regulated distilled spirit on the planet. Its categories and classes, along with many other rules, are defined in a NOM , or set of regulations established by the Mexican government. This Norm is interpreted and enforced by the CRT , which monitors every part of the tequila-production process, from planting the agave to bottling. They also test and keep samples from every single batch of tequila.
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What Is The Best Tequila For Margaritas
For margaritas, youll want to choose a lighter-flavored tequila, like a reposado or blanco tequila. Aged tequilas will give your margarita an oaky-caramel flavor. Which isnt bad, but it does make for an expensive cocktail.
My favorite tequila for margaritas? Patron Silver. You could also go with mezcal if you prefer something smokier.
Mezcal is similar to tequila but where mezcal can be made from over 30 types of agave plants, tequila can only come from the blue agave. Basically, all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.
Where Is Tequila From
The first tequila distillery was in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco. Much like the way in which France controls the wine regions and naming of wines, Mexico controls the regions where tequila can be produced. The state of Jalisco is the largest area that produces tequila with the seal of approval, and there are other smaller areas near some cities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. If you’re interested in purchasing some high-quality tequila, head over to our spotlight on 11 Mexican- and Mexican American-Owned Tequila & Mezcal Brands You Need to Know.
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