Tequila

What is Tequila?

Tequila is a spirit made by distilling the fermented juice of the blue agave plant. It comes in clear, golden, or brown varieties, depending on how long it is aged in barrels. The drink can taste sweet, fruity, or earthy, with highland agaves giving a sweeter flavor and valley agaves a more herbal note. It contains between 35% and 55% alcohol by volume. Only drinks made from blue agave in certain Mexican regions can legally be called tequila.

Where does Tequila come from?

The roots of tequila go back to the mezcal spirits made in western Mexico after distillation was introduced by Filipino sailors and migrants. The drink became known as tequila in the 18th century, named for the town where it was first produced. Spain’s King Carlos IV gave the first commercial license to the Cuervo family. The Mexican government declared tequila its intellectual property in 1974, and international agreements now protect its name. The region around Tequila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural and historical importance.

How is Tequila made?

Blue agave plants are grown for years before harvest, mostly by hand. Skilled workers called jimadores cut away the leaves to reveal the piña, the plant’s core. The piñas are slowly baked in ovens, then crushed to release their juice. This juice is fermented in large vats, then distilled at least twice to reach the required strength. The spirit can be bottled immediately as clear tequila or aged in wooden barrels for a smoother, colored drink. Each bottle carries a serial number showing where it was made.

How and when is Tequila eaten?

In Mexico, tequila is usually sipped neat, without any mixers. Elsewhere, it is often served as a shot with salt and lime. It is also used in cocktails, but the traditional way is to enjoy it plain to taste the agave flavor. Tequila is not tied to any particular meal or occasion and is enjoyed both in daily life and at celebrations.

Kinds of Tequila

Tequila varies by where the agave is grown and how long it is aged. Highland agaves make a sweeter spirit, while valley agaves give earthier notes. There are several classes: silver (clear and unaged), and aged types that spend time in barrels, gaining color and complexity. Since 2006, an 'extra añejo' class exists for tequila aged at least three years. Flavored tequilas exist, but 100% agave versions cannot be flavored.

What Tequila means

Tequila is a symbol of Mexican heritage and pride, protected by law as a designation of origin. Only spirits made in certain Mexican states can use the name. The agave fields and old distilleries near Tequila are recognized by UNESCO. Tequila is a major export, especially to the United States. There is a National Tequila Day in Mexico, celebrated on the third Saturday of March.

Questions people ask about Tequila

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Tequila on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data