What is tequila made of, the favorite drink of the Mexican gods?

2025 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-23 12:50

Tequila is one of the many alcoholic drinks. But only in Mexico, she has long been the heroine of various legends and myths that tell about the past of the country, its people and culture. The history of the drink began about 400 years ago, when the Mexicans learned how to make it. Do you know what tequila is made of?

Historical digression

Many people have the misconception that the tequila plant is a cactus. Actually it is not. The juice for the future liquor is obtained from the blue agave pulque. In ancient times, he played a very important role in the life of the Indians. His parent, the agave, was even identified with the goddess. And one of her 400 sons was named "Pulque".

The first beverage factory was built in 1600. Here the raw materials for tequila were processed, from here it went on sale. In 1795, the first license was obtained for an alcoholic drink, which was in great export demand. It belonged to the Jose Cuervo brand, which still exists today. WorldTequila gained fame during the Olympic Games in Mexico. Now every year the popularity of this drink is growing.

The plant that gives birth to tequila

On the question of what tequila is made of, one cannot give a simple answer - they say, from agave. It won't be entirely accurate. The fact is that there are a great many varieties of agave. They serve as raw materials for drinks such as mezcal, bacanora, pulque (which was mentioned earlier) and others. Blue agave with thick, fleshy leaves and a short stem is what makes tequila known throughout the world.

The best variety of this alcoholic drink comes from a plant that can only be found in the state of Jalisco. This is a highland area - more than two kilometers from sea level. Before the cherished juice can be obtained from the plant, it must ripen. As a rule, the age of the agave used as a raw material for the production of the drink reaches 5-6 years, or even all 8 (the popular Olmeca tequila is aged for so long).

How is tequila made?

Production begins in the pre-flowering period of the agave, when it accumulates the maximum amount of sugar. Leaves are cut from the plant and the core of the stem is removed. After heat treatment, the raw material is crushed, and juice is extracted under pressure. Some "cunning" manufacturers add sugar to it (about 12%). Then they leave the drink to ferment for 4 days or more. Such tequila with sugar is considered inferior in quality and is called a mixto. Herradura is the only manufacturer that usesnatural yeast from the leaves of the agave itself. Others add cultural sourdough.

Such different tequila

The alcohol obtained after double distillation has a strength of about 55%. It is diluted with spring water to about 40%. The finished drink is bottled and sent for aging. Depending on it, it comes in different colors: from white and pale yellow to caramel. Tequila can have a fruity aroma with bright notes of citrus, honey flavor, woody aftertaste.

The most popular of the affordable and fairly high-quality brands of this alcoholic drink is Olmeca. In its lineup, there are many different types of tequila of varying degrees of exposure. By the way, the brand got its name in honor of the god Olmec, who, according to legend, admired the taste of blue agave nectar.

Now you know what tequila is made of. And this plant is not a cactus at all!