"Olmeca" (tequila): photos, reviews, composition. How to distinguish a fake?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

"Olmeca" - tequila, which is rightfully recognized as one of the best spirits in the world. Many experts consider her worthy of the highest praise, and for Mexicans she is a real source of national pride.

A bit of history

The first mention of tequila occurs many centuries ago. According to myths, on the territory of modern Mexico, even before the appearance of the ancient Incas and Aztecs, the Olmec tribes once lived. It was then that people learned to make a drink from blue agave, which they began to call honey water. It is said that the supreme gods liked this infusion very much, and they forbade revealing the secret of its production to strangers. Many years have passed since then, and now Olmeca (tequila) has become not only an attribute of any local holiday, but also a real hallmark of Mexico.

In general, the blue agave is quite a popular plant in North America. In the old days, fibers were mined from it, which were then used to make paper, clothing and other household items. As a result of this processing, a large amount of juice was usually released. localslearned by fermentation to prepare a drink from it, which was called "pulque". In fact, he became the progenitor of the future tequila.

Subtleties of technology

“Olmeca” (tequila) became what everyone knows it now only towards the end of the 19th century. By this time, people have learned many secrets regarding the rules for preparing alcoholic beverages. In particular, they understood what distillation is. In the north of the state of Jalisco, entire plantations of blue agave have been planted. It turns out that such a dry land is necessary for the normal growth of this lily. Not far from these places is the small town of Tequila, whose name gave the name to the new drink. The manufacturing process of this product starts in the field. Here, within eight years, the plants reach the desired degree of maturity. The workers then harvest the fleshy fruits by chopping them from the root and freeing them from the long, fleshy leaves. For some time, the product is stored in special storage facilities, and then it enters special stone ovens for cooking. At this stage, the starch contained in the pulp is converted into sugar under the influence of high temperature. The resulting mass is pressed on industrial presses. After that, it enters the fermentation vats, where the sugar is converted into alcohol. Yeast and distilled water are also added here. The fermented mass goes to a double distillation, which takes place in special vacuum apparatuses. Now the finished product goes to a special storage where the right time is kept.

Product classification

Tequila according to Mexican standards is divided into two categories:

1. Product made only from agave. It belongs to premium drinks.
2. A drink made from 49 percent sugar from other plants.

As you know, any strong alcoholic drink is characterized by its aging. "Olmeca" (tequila) is also divided into 4 types depending on this indicator:

1. Blanco, Plata and Silver. The drink is bottled immediately after its production or within a month after that. This tequila is called "white" or "silver".
2. Joven or Gold. The drink is also considered young, but different colors are used to give it color, taste and aroma.
3. Reposado. The product is considered "rested" as it has been in oak barrels for three to twelve months. During this time, it acquires a certain shade.
4. Anejo. Such tequila is considered "old" or "aged". She has been waiting in the wings for three to ten years. True, after the seventh year, a slight characteristic bitterness may appear in it.

Usually, the manufacturer tries to indicate all these characteristics on the label so that the buyer has a complete picture of the product. In addition, Olmeca has three flavor lines:

1. Olmeca - plain or single.
2. Olmeca Altos.
3. Olmeca Tezon.

Each of them can be made according to one of four known types.

Unbiased opinion

Studying the opinions of buyers, we can conclude that many people like Olmeca tequila. Reviewsmost of them relate to the unusual taste of the drink. Take, for example, Olmeca Blanco.

This is a perfectly clear liquid with a light, subtle agave scent. Pleasant sweetness makes the product tender and soft. It is especially pleasing that it completely lacks any aromas or flavors of fusel oils. But still, it cannot be compared with Olmeca Gold. A pale golden product exudes a fruity aroma of grapefruit with a slight smoke around it. The rich taste is complemented by tart pepper and honey sweetness. As a rule, the strength of such a drink is 38 percent, but those who have tried it say that this is not felt at all. After 2-3 glasses, a pleasant dope appears in the head, but there will be no hangover if you do not go overboard with the amount. But there are those who prefer Olmeca Anejo. These are mostly connoisseurs of tequila who appreciate the qualities inherent in any product with a long exposure.

Product composition

The composition of Olmeca tequila deserves special attention. First, you need to pay attention that the product is more like moonshine.

It differs from Russian vodka in the presence of esters and various higher alcohols. Mostly among them, ethyl acetate can be distinguished. It contains about 50 mg per liter of the finished product. It would seem nothing special. But it is worth remembering that this chemical compound is nothing more than a solvent, which, by the way, is also known as food additive E1504. It is clear that to use such a drink in a largeamount is not recommended. A hangover in this case will be difficult to avoid. Do not forget also about fusel oils. But in aged tequila they are much less. The reason is that the wooden walls of oak barrels absorb these components, cleaning not only the chemical composition, but also the taste of the product itself. You should also not discount the fact that all these ingredients have a negative effect on the human liver. This should always be remembered before making a final decision about the choice of drink.

The price of pleasure

How much does Olmeca tequila cost? A photo can sometimes suggest the answer to this question.

When considering a product on the counter, you need to understand that a drink like Blanco or Silver will cost less than others. The reason is that this is a young product. It is bottled immediately after production, and then immediately sent for sale. A bottle of such a Mexican-made drink with a capacity of 0.7 liters in Russian stores will cost about 1,500 rubles. Gold type tequila will cost customers a little more, although it is also an unaged product. The issue here is technology. The fact is that at the last stage of production, food colors are introduced into the composition to give the drink a golden color. In part, this also affects its taste. For such a bottle you will have to pay about 2000 rubles. Those who want to know the taste of real aged tequila should buy a drink like Anejo. True, in this case, the purchase price will be at least 3000 rubles. But connoisseurs ofclaim with confidence that the product is really worth the money.

Significant differences

People often try to buy certain products, following fashion or public opinion. This makes it possible for underground producers to sell their goods. Its cost is usually much lower than a natural product, but many buyers, in pursuit of cheapness, agree to such conditions. Sometimes this turns into the most unexpected consequences.

Firstly, the quality and organoleptic characteristics of counterfeit products do not correspond to the natural product. It turns out that a person tried, but did not recognize the real taste of the drink. Then why buy it at all? Secondly, unknown technology and suspicious production conditions can lead to the fact that the product is completely unsafe for he alth. So what exactly is Olmeca tequila? How to distinguish a real product from a fake? To determine the authenticity, there are three main features:

1. The surface of the bottle in places where there are no patterns must be rough.
2. The top of the screw cap, on the other hand, should be smooth.
3. Under the shoulders of the bottle there is a pattern in the form of a curved line, between the curves of which are two small circles. The fakes have one medium-sized oval instead.

Knowing all these subtleties, you can easily avoid deception.

Personal control

Many buyers do not even realize that, for example, a fake tequila"Olmeca" can meet them at any moment. Therefore, you must always be on the alert and remember all the existing rules.

First you need to carefully consider the bottle itself. It should have a rectangular shape and an appropriate volume. Then you need to check for engraving in the form of a corrugated pattern in the upper part above the label. Some experts claim that this is not just an ornament, but real hieroglyphs from the time of the ancient Olmecs. It is said that these symbols partly influence the taste of the drink itself. After that, you need to check the cork, and then carefully look at the price. Sometimes you can find a bottle of tequila on sale, next to which there is a price tag of 400 rubles. It is clear that in this case there can be no question of any Mexican drink. You can not even transfer money in vain, as it will be a 100% fake. If the drink has passed a comprehensive check, then you can safely lay out the amount requested by the seller. But it's better to do it in a specialized store.