What is Tequila

What is Tequila made from?

Tequila is made from the fermented juice of the blue agave plant’s core also known as the pina. The blue agave reaches maturity at around eight years. The blue agave is not a cactus but a desert succulent. It can be used only one time as the pinas are taken out then steamed, crushed and made into tequila.

Under Mexican law, tequila can be from Jalisco and from certain areas in Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Michoacan, and Guanajuato. It is protected under the designation of origin.

In the Mexican state of Jalisco, the town of Tequila was established in 1656 and Jose Cuervo started to produce it commercially. The Mexican Revolution brought it fame.

I strongly recommend that you drink tequila made from 100% agave. Mexican law states that tequila has to have 51% Weber blue agave. Mixto is a tequila that contains water and sugar.

Tequilas that are crystal clear are called Blanco. However, some add caramel to make it gold. Tequilas are also aged in barrels and get their golden brown color from the barrels.

What does Blanco, Reposado and Anejo mean?

When you look at the bar menu you wonder what does Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo mean?

Blanco is clear and comes either 100% agave or mixto. Blanco is rested for two months in stainless steel tanks. It is the purest form of agave.

Reposado is rested in French or American oak barrels between two and twelve months. The oak adds finesse to the flavor.

Anejo is aged over a year in French oak barrels that impart a dynamic flavor and are much darker. Try sipping these in a brandy glass.

Extra-Anejo is aged over 3 years and tastes like brandy or whiskey that has been aged.

When you go shopping for a tequila bottle look at the type it is, the purity, NOM (distiller’s registration number, CRT (Tequila Regulatory Council), Hecho en Mexico, DOT brand, and alcohol content.

The Blanco’s should be sipped with sangria. Sangrita is a mix of orange juice, grenadine, hot sauce, and tomato juice. Take one sip of the tequila and one sip of the sangrita. Have this before you start your meal as an aperitif. During the meal try a nice reposado. After your meal, sip a nice Jose Cuervo or Clase Azul.

Try some of these suggestions and write back to me about what you think. Drink responsibly.

Photo Credits: Joe Pilié Catalin Pateo Anya Smith  Kevin Kelly Fidel Fernando