What Is Tequila Made From?

-by Abhrajita Mondal

–Reading Time – 7 min Approx

–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya

Tequila is a distilled spirit that is made from Blue Agave or Agave Azul. Legally, it is produced in only five states in Mexico – Jalisco, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Nayarit. You can try it on its own or as a cocktail. There are over one hundred sixty-six types of Agaves of which one hundred twenty-five are found in Mexico. If you want to know more about what is Tequila made from in detail then continue reading.

It is the ripe blue agave plants that take a long time to mature. Unlike other spirits, tequila requires the maximum time in cultivation. When the blue agaves mature, it produces a single flower. Skilled harvesters cut off the shoot then and there, preserving the starch stored in the heart of the plant. The ripe hearts have an average weight of 32 kg. The producers cut the hearts into halves and slow-roast them in ovens called ‘Hornos’. The starches get converted into fermented sugars. After the hearts are thoroughly cooked, they are made to undergo fermentation. Sounds interesting? Find out the detailed guide on what is Tequila made from in the rest of the article.

Detailed Guide to What Is Tequila Made from And How:

You can divide the production of tequila into seven steps. The various steps are harvesting, cooking, extraction, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. The producer and manufacturer ought to follow the regulations of Consejo Regulador de Tequila. Moreover, each distillery has its plantation, processes, and quality control techniques that affect the taste of tequila.

Harvesting is the first step. The blue agave plants generally grow in neat rows. They are tended to with a lot of care. The crops are cultivated for six to ten years. You require at least 7 kg of agave hearts to produce a liter of delicious tequila.

The cooking can look complicated to a novice but it is not. Trained experts can handle it quite well. Brick ovens and stainless-steel autoclaves come into the picture here. It initiates an important chemical process that converts complex carbohydrates into simple fermentable sugars. Cooking also softens the hearts. It facilitates the sugar extraction process.

Extractions take place in the milling area. The cooked agave hearts are crushed to release the juices. A manually operated grand wheel facilitates the process. However, automation has come into the picture today. Modern distilleries use mechanical crushers. Thereafter, the hearts are minced and then washed with water, and strained to remove the juices.

The fermentation process takes place in large vats. It is through this process, that the sugars are transformed into alcohol. Some distillers use yeast to accelerate the process. It takes 7-12 days for the process to be completed.

Distillation is the fifth step. The ferments are separated with heat and pressure in steel pots or towers. Some tequilas undergo distillation twice and some thrice. The first one is termed ‘smashing’. Whereas, the second one is called ‘rectification’. The distillate is called silver or ‘Blanco’.

American white oak containers are frequently used for the aging process. Containers that previously stored bourbon are used. The longer the tequila ages, the more tannins it accumulates. The color and flavors have a direct correlation with the aging tenure. The condition of the barrels also affects the taste.

The final stage involves bottling. All 100 percent tequilas must be bottled in designated regions. Non-100 percent tequilas can be bottled anywhere. This is how is Tequila made step-by-step. You ought to see this fascinating process if you ever get a chance.

Main Types of Tequila:

You have already got an idea regarding what is tequila made from. You can classify Tequila into two main categories – Mixto and 100 percent Agave. A bottle containing 51 percent of fermented sugars from the Agave plant can only be labeled as tequila. 100 percent Agave means it has been distilled from the blue agave. Moreover, there is no added sugar. You can have them neat. A mixto is a type of tequila that contains cane or corn sugar. These are cheaper than normal tequila.

The five main types of Tequila are:

• Silver Tequila is the youngest of the lot. It is made from 100 percent blue agave. It is not aged for a long period. You may also hear the names Blanco, Platinum, and Plata associated with it. This tequila is sweet in flavor and is freshly distilled. The silverish color has led to the name Silver. You will find distillers aging them for two months or more to get a smoother flavor.
• Joven tequila is the next one that you will come across. It is golden in color so the names that are often associated with it are dorado, gold, or oro. This may come from the mixto category. The flavoring agents impart the golden color. Jovens are made from a concoction of silver and reposado tequila. If you want to avoid a hangover, then you should go for the original variety.
• Reposado tequila is aged in wooden casks for two or more months. Many distilleries age their tequilas in bourbon barrels. The natural color is a result of the aging process. Most drinkers have it in cocktails or neat.
• Añejo tequila is an aged liquor. Distillers age it in oak barrels for at least one year, leading to a loss of agave-like characteristics. The liquor turns amber in color and takes on the flavor of the barrel. It develops a flavor of butterscotch and caramel. You can have it neat. It is also considered the ideal substitute for whiskey.
• Extra Añejo tequila is ultra-aged. They are a darker version of what you tasted to date. It is aged for three years or more. The color is a rich mahogany. You should sip them from their glasses.

Best Tequila for Margaritas and Other Cocktails:

You ought to choose a lighter tequila for margaritas. Reposado and Blanco tequila is good. If your tequila is aged, it will have an oaky caramel flavor. It is used for expensive cocktails. Patron Silver is a favorite for many. However, if you want something smokier, go for mezcal.

The smoothest tequilas are Añejo tequila and Extra Añejo tequila. The best tequila brands are El Jimador, Corralejo, Don Julio, and Grand Mayan. El Jimador’s Silver tequila is a great budget buy. It uses 100 percent agave. It is crisp and citrusy. Corralejo is triple-distilled tequila. A large part of the processing takes place in copper pots. The Reposado variety offers a smoky flavor.

Don Julio is another bestselling brand. Moreover, it is a staple brand for tequila-lovers. The drink has crisp agave and citrus flavors. Thinking how to drink tequila? Why not try drinking it like the locals?

Tequila is a drink that is not governed by any season. You can have any time of the year. Mexicans have chilled tequila. It is never kept outside the refrigerator; you can have it neat, without lime and salt. Every liquor connoisseur has the right to savor the honey-like notes of cooked agave. The citrus and pepper flavors are also worth exploring. You can keep the lime and salt for Margaritas and Palomas. Moreover, you should know how to enjoy each variety.

What is Mezcal?

Well, this term seems to be relatively new to a few of you. However, Mezcal Vs Tequila seems to be one of the most trending topics today. Some people confuse it with a smoke bomb. The word ‘mezcal’ originated from the words ‘cooked agave’. So, technically speaking, any liquor made from agave is Mezcal. We can give you an example here. You must have heard of different types of whiskies like bourbons, scotches, and ryes. Similarly, tequila, bacanora, and raicilla, are all mezcal. Tequila’s smoky-tasting counterpart is ma

king news in the Global liquor industry today. There is no doubt, that it comes through a similar process of production. Mezcal and Tequila are both Mexican spirits. Tequila is a mezcal, but mezcal is not always tequila. Although they come from the same plant, production methods are not fully similar.

The majority of mezcal comes from nine places in Mexico. They are Oaxaca, Durango, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Puebla, Zacatecas, and Guerrero. Tequila has limitations to where it can be sourced from in Mexico. They undergo a similar process, like roasting, cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave plant hearts. However, the similarities end here. We have already told you that tequila comes from blue agaves whereas mezcal can be produced from any agave. Moreover, the blue agaves are roasted and cooked in above-ground ovens and autoclaves whereas the agaves for mezcal are cooked in underground pits. The agaves are covered in dirt and burning wood. That is where the smoky flavor comes from.

Tequila has a smooth and sweet flavor. However, mezcal is savory and smoky. Moreover, most mezcal aficionados have it straight, with chili salt and a slice of orange. It is believed to be the best way to savor it. The process in which your favorite drink is made has been decoded just for you. Choose yours, keeping the various parameters in mind. There are so many different varieties and brands to choose from. It is more than just a drink for Cinco de Mayo today.

-by Abhrajita Mondal

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