Stage : Obtaining Pina: The Succulent Part From A Mature Blue Agave Plant
The Agave tequilana Weber blueproduces a sugary sap just before flowering. This sap is the main ingredientfor tequila. A special knife called coa is used to hand cutthe succulent part and obtain the sap, known as pina. To obtain the succulentpart, the coa is used to cut the leaves exposing this hiddengem. However, less skilled harvesters often do not cut as neatly, and parts ofleaves remain with the pina. The leaves adversely affect the taste of tequila.However, this benefits the harvesters as the pina is sold in terms of mass. Tocope with the problem, many companies in Mexico grow their own plants. Pinafrom mature plants has a higher concentration of sugars and thus producesbetter tequila. On average, around 7kg pina is required to produce 1 liter of pureagave tequila.
How To Mix Tequila
Margaritas may be most peoples introduction to Tequila, but there are many ways to expand your repertoire. If you enjoy cocktails, try a Paloma, made with blanco Tequila, lime, grapefruit, simple syrup and soda. A Tequila riff on a classic two-ingredient mixer is also taking off. Weve been crushing through Tequila sodas, says Breedlove. She says its a more flavorful option for traditional vodka-soda drinkers. Once you find a Tequila you like, its something youll likely enjoy on its own, she says.
Other cocktails lend well to añejo and reposado Tequilas. I think it can blow peoples minds to try an Old Fashioned with añejo Tequila, says Breedlove. It has the same body, spice and warmth that a Bourbon would have, but with a little more sweetness.
Tequila has also taken on new form compared to previous decades, as something to be sipped neat, not downed as a shot. We went through an era when people wanted to mask the flavor of alcohol, says Sanders. Now, they want to taste what theyre drinking.
What Tequila Is Made Of
agave plantBoth tequila and mezcal are made from the harvested core of the agave plant, otherwise known as the piña. However, thats where the similarities in production end. Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots.
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May Boost Brain Health
B vitamins are very important for optimal brain health. Low blood levels of B vitamins have been linked to poor brain function and nerve damage.
For instance, low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with poor learning and memory. In addition, people with a vitamin B1 deficiency may suffer from poor memory, learning difficulties, delirium and even brain damage .
Conversely, higher intakes of B vitamins, such as B2, B6 and B9, have been linked to better learning and memory performance, especially among people with mental impairment .
That said, its unclear if B vitamins can boost your brain health if youre not deficient.
Is One Oven Better Than The Other
If you ask a few tequileros, you will receive different opinions about what each style of oven brings to the final product. It is a great debate some people will compare the modern autoclave to a microwave and the brick oven to using a traditional oven in your kitchen. Do tequilas from an autoclave have a diminished flavor.
This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. Instead, it is the culmination of every step in the tequila-making process, from the agave to the barrel, that will affect the final product’s quality.
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Which Tequila Is Better Silver Or Gold
When it comes down to it, silver tequila is better for margaritas than gold tequila. They are aged differently, with silver tequila boasting a stronger, purer taste while being clear in color. Its simplicity makes it the perfect companion to mixed drinks, as it matches beautifully with other flavor profiles.
Discover The 5 Mexican Tequila Brands To Try Now
There is nothing quite like enjoying a cocktail after a long day. Especially when it can be savored with views of some of Mexicos most scenic spots. Just like Champagne, only mezcal produced in the Tequila region earns the title Tequila. Because of this, if you want to drink what the locals drink, make sure to check out the top selling tequila in Mexico. On this list, you will find everything from eye-catching bottles to display on your drinks cart to time-honored classics loved by locals. Read on to discover our top 5 tequilas brought to you straight from the homeland!
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What’s The Best Tequila For Margaritas
I highly recommend using only good-quality tequila to make your margaritas. With only three ingredients in the cocktail, a bad tequila will result in an equally bad margarita.
Look for bottles with labels that say 100% de agave, which means the tequila is distilled only from Mexican blue agave plants. Cheap tequilas are often cut with alcohol made from corn or sugar cane, resulting in a tequila that tastes flat and burns on the way down.
- Want to learn more about tequila? Check out our comprehensive Tequila Guide!
In addition, good-quality tequila is aged in oak barrels for 2 to 12 months, which gives it nuanced flavors. Blanco tequila is aged for 2 months, reposado for 2 to 11 months, and añejo for 12 or more months.
You can serve this cocktail with salt, or not. Straight, or over the rocks. That part is up to you!
Does Tequila Give You A Hangover
1 Tequila Doesnt Give You A Hangover. If you aggressively slam it back, it will get mad and return the favor. US regulations, on the other hand, allow it to be called tequila even if contains as much as 49 percent other liquids, commonly sugar-based alcohols. That means if you drink it, youre mixing alcohols.
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Other Uses Of Chemical/sensory Profiles
Finally, it is worth mentioning that this technique is not exclusive for tequila. It can be applied to any kind of alcoholic beverage. It can also be used to monitor each of the by-products that are generated on each of the production stages of the alcoholic beverage.
Learn more about the way we produce tequila at Casa Sauza. Find out why our the tequila is the purest one that you will find in the market!
How Strong Is Tequila
When sold in Latin America, tequila can be as low as 35% ABV according to each countrys local laws. Meanwhile, any alcoholic spirit must be at least 40% ABV in the European Union and North America.
Usually, the alcohol is hydrated, which means that it is simply cut with pure water. Most large-scale brands will usually retail their tequilas at exactly 40% as it means that they can sell a greater quantity.
Alternatively, a few distillers may distil to proof, which involves a careful distillation process where the resulting distillate is immediately bottled without hydration. Tequila that is distilled to proof tends to be above 55% ABV.
When ageing the tequila, this can be particularly challenging as the angels share will alter the alcohol content as it evaporates. Nevertheless, some distillers have mastered the technique into an art-form.
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Tequila Ocho Single Estate Agaves De Rancho Plata: Las Pomez
Carlos Camerena and Tomas Estes make up the genius team behind Tequila Ocho, Bailon says. For those who approach agave as they do wine, this is the must-try brand. They feature single terroir agave in such a sincere way, switching plots every batch. Although I love the hints of macadamia nut in the 2019 El Bajío, I really fell in love with the Las Pomez. Its the tropical fruit and pomelo combination that hooked me on this specific brand which carried into what I love about this brand as a whole. It brings back respect to the roots.
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How To Drink Tequila
Tequila is very versatile and you can drink it in many ways. It’s commonly enjoyed as a shot, either straight, with a lemon and salt or with mixers. Tequila cocktails are diverse, ranging from shaken martini-like drinks to refreshing soda or juice highballs. Fruity margaritas are very popular and tequila’s the perfect match for spicy cocktails. You can even find sweet or creamy tequila recipes. Aged tequilas are often sipped straight, whether that’s chilled or on the rocks. Tequila is a great pairing for Mexican and Tex-Mex food and tequila cocktails make a nice addition to barbecues and summer parties.
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Is Whisky Stronger Than Tequila
Both are categorized as spirits and have been around for quite some time. They also matured in their vessel and not in the bottle. However, Whiskey have slightly more alcohol content in average than Tequila. Unlike authentic Tequila that only made from blue Agave, Whiskey can be made from various grains.
Running Your Pot Still
Its now time to fire up that pot still! Ensure that your still is properly set for this step. Secure all clamps and domes and make sure condensers are properly attached, as well as any hoses. Next, youll turn on the heat source and start raising the temperature of your tequila wash. Youll want to run the tequila wash through two separate distillations. During the first, youll collect the entire distillate without separating the heads, hearts and tails. That will be done during the second round of distillation.
If using a condenser, turn on the water when the boiler reaches 130 °F.
At about 168 °F the still will start producing. Increase the temperature to keep producing distillate.
Stop collecting distillate after it measures less than 20% ABV which you can measure using the hydrometer. Be sure to hold on to the remaining contents of the still as youll be adding it back in with your second distillation. This will add to the final flavor of the product. Dilute the first round distillate by 20% with water. Stir the mix thoroughly and add back into the still. Begin your second round of distillation.
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Tequila Is Just For Shots: False
Tequila shots, with salt and a lime wedge, are part of our collective drinking unconscious. So much so, it feels like theres no other way to enjoy tequila.But expert bartenders say that you should allow the flavors of your tequila to open up, like a fine wine or scotch. Its much more common in Mexico to sip your tequila slowly the shot with lime and salt is primarily an American practice.
Collecting Your Tequila Distillate
Next, youll be collecting your tequila distillate. This is where all of your hard work up to this point will pay off! Its definitely the most satisfying part of this entire distilling process. This step is a mixture of art and science. It takes an experienced distiller to get this process dialed in and exactly right. However, dont let that deter you if youre a tequila distilling newcomer. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. Its no different here. After you run a few batches with your still, youll gain a familiarity with the whole process and be able to really improve by taking notes and making the necessary adjustments.
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Made Through Different Processes
Mezcal and tequila are made via distinct production methods.
Both spirits utilize a basic method of cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave hearts, but the similarities end there.
Tequila can only be made from blue agave plants. Mezcal can be made from any number of agave species, including the blue variety.
When making tequila, the hearts of blue agave are typically cooked in industrial, above-ground ovens or autoclaves before being fermented and distilled .
For mezcal, the traditional cooking process occurs in large underground pits lined with volcanic rock. This underground oven is fueled with burning wood and covered with dirt, allowing the agave hearts to smoke and bake until theyre ready for fermentation .
Corn: Prairie Organic Vodka
Prairies organic, GMO-free vodka is made by Phillips Distilling Company in Minnesota, where its produced by distilling locally grown corn. And no, it doesnt taste like corn-based moonshine or white dog. Instead, Prairie is lightly sweet with notes of corn, melon, pear and citrus. Its creamy on the palate before finishing clean and refreshing. Prairie Organic Vodka is a natural addition to cocktails, including classics like the Vodka Collins, as well as creative drinks featuring fresh fruits and vegetables.
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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.
Tequila Is Legally Required To Be Only 51% Blue Agave
Tequila is made from blue agave, but it does not have to be 100% agave. Many tequilas will advertise themselves as 100% Blue Agave, but the legal requirement is 51%. Distillers are allowed to fill out the rest with a neutral spirit made from cane sugar juice, creating what is known as a mixto tequila. Generally, no surprise, these are thought to be lower quality.
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Mexicos Best And Most High
Extra Anejo tequila is best had neat, unlike many of its counterparts.
When it comes to making spirits, theres no denying that theres varying quality. From cheap $5 a bottle wine to seven figures bottles of the finest whisky, the range at which alcohol exists is astounding. However, there are some kinds that transcend just being a bottle to share with friends and family theyre a way of life.
Many cultures are associated with a specific spirit: Mediterranean people love their wine, Germans can never get enough beer, and the Russians know their vodka inside and out. But sometimes, it can go far beyond that, and become both a sacred symbol of what you are and your most prized commodity. For Mexicans, tequila is one of those cases.
Whether you like it with lime and salt, paired with some sangrita, or served neat, tequila is a special kind of spirit. Its a protected industry, otherwise known as having a Geographical Indication , meaning that only real tequila can be made in Mexico, just like how only Scotch Whisky can be made in Scotland. You can tell if your booze is legit by a small seal on the bottle.
QUI Rare, like many of the tequilas on this list, features a dark amber color, more reminiscent of whisky or brandy than tequila.
Clase Azuls bottles are all beautiful works of art on their own: this one is inlaid with pure platinum, sterling silver and 24-carat gold.
La Adelita Extra Anejo has one of the more unique smell and taste profiles on the list.
Is Tequila A Vodka
There are some major differences between tequila and vodka, though they are both distilled spirits: Tequila is made from the blue agave plant and vodka is made from a starch or sugar rich plant. Tequila is distilled into five different types, while vodka only has one form. Tequila is more expensive than vodka.
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But Does Tequila Make You Crazy
We do know that different kinds of alcohol can leave us in varying degrees of hungover. Some studies have boiled it down to something called congeners, which potentially make darker liquors more damaging and may affect our mood and behavior. No conclusive studies have been made, however. If youre drinking the same amount of alcohol, theres really no scientific reason one type of drink would make you act differently than another. Realistically, its all the same.
All alcoholic beverages contain the same intoxicating ingredient: ethanol. Whether its beer, wine or liquor, the alcohol is molecularly identical and affects your brain the same way. Tequila is distilled from sugars of the agave plant. The distillation process gives it a different makeup of congeners than other alcohols, which really only affect the alcohols taste. Theres no known secret ingredient in tequila that makes you want to rage. The most logical explanation to these feelings may be that we change how we drink, depending on what were drinking.
Whats The Best Tequila For The Money
Best Tequila For The Money
- 3 Amigos Anejo Tequila.
- Jose Cuervo Gold. 4.4 out of 5 stars.
- El Jimador Blanco. 4.6 out of 5 stars.
- Legado Blanco Tequila. 4.3 out of 5 stars.
- Don Sergio Blanco Tequila. 4.6 out of 5 stars.
- Cazul 100 Silver. 4.2 out of 5 stars.
- El Padrino Blanco Tequila. 4.6 out of 5 stars.
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Tequila Is Nothing More Than Cactus Juice: False
While the agave plant has pointy needles and sharp leaves, its really more of a succulent than a cactus. Fun fact: Agaves are more closely related to the Joshua Tree than that prickly desert dweller we know so well. True tequila must be 100% agave, and the best brands harvest the agave when its at least a decade old.
Whats So Bad About Tequila
The awful, harsh flavour as the shot hits your tongue and attacks your tastebuds. And the mouth-twisting lemon to erase any trace of the drink, simply proving that tequila is totally disgusting. Its the drain water posing as tequila that the rest of us are drinking giving the decent stuff a bad name.
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