Agave tequilana may be the only succulent that can claim to be behind one of Mexico’s top exports. Each year, over 300 million plants are harvested to be used to produce tequila. Under federal regulations, farmers must raise a specific cultivar of Agave tequilana known as Weber Blue to produce one of the world’s favorite distilled beverages.
Although Agaves are most well-known for their use in the production of tequila, they are actually used to make many types of distilled spirits such as mezcal, bacanora, pulque, raicilla, and sotol. However, unlike other types of spirits, tequila can only be made from one type of Agave: Agave tequilana or Blue Agave.
Much like champagne, tequila can only be called tequila if it produced in certain areas of Mexico. Although a few other states are allowed to produce tequila, the majority of tequila is produced in the state of Jalisco. While some of the bigger names in the industry have their distilleries near the town of Tequila, northwest of the city of Guadalajara, a few boutique brands choose to grow their Agave in the highlands of Jalisco. The red clay soil of the area is said to impart a unique flavor into the final product.
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Growing and Harvesting the Agave
Growing Agave tequilana for the purpose of producing tequila is not a short process. The plants are cared for in vast fields for about six to ten years before they are ready to harvest. When Agaves are ready to bloom, they produce a long stalk from the center of their rosette. In tequila production, this stalk is removed as soon as it begins to grow so that the plant can focus its energy elsewhere. Plants that have had their stalks removed typically have higher concentrations of sugar, which is essential in fermentation.
The harvester, or jimador, used a sharpened, curved tool called a coa to slice off the Agave’s tough leaves. The heart of the plant, called the piña, is the only part of the Agave that is used to make tequila. Jimadors must be careful while handling the piñas, as the caustic sap of the Agave can cause rashes that can last for up to a week.
- A minimum plant size is not guaranteed, but they are usually about 2 to 5 inches. These are small,
- So please do not complain that the trees are small. They are starter plugs. They are supposed to be small.
- The agave root system, which consists of a network of shallow rhizomes, is designed to help the agave to capture moisture...
- 3 small agave plants bare rooted
At the time of harvesting, the piña of an Agave plant will weigh anywhere between 80 and 200 lbs. This may seem like a lot of weight but remember that Agaves are succulents that retain moisture. It takes approximately 15 pounds of Agave piñas to make a single liter of tequila, so large distilleries need a lot of Agave to keep up with demand. After harvesting, the piñas are sent to the distillery to be cooked.
Cooking the Agave
Heating the Agave is an essential part of the tequila production process. Not only does it soften the tough and fibrous piña, it converts the carbohydrates contained in the plant to simple sugars, which can be fermented. Traditionally, tequila makers cooked the Agave in brick ovens, and while some producers still use this method, the majority of modern-day distilleries use steel autoclaves to steam the Agave hearts. The piñas are usually cooked for about two or three days before moving on to the tahona.
After steaming, the Agave hearts must be crushed or ground to extract every last drop of the sugary liquid called aguamiel. In the past, tequila producers used tahonas, or stone wheels, to crush the piñas. The wheels were usually powered by horses, mules, or oxen, but nowadays livestock have been replaced by tractors. Many distilleries no longer use stone wheels, often preferring to use the same mechanical crushers used for sugar cane. After going through the tahona, the aguamiel must be fermented.
Fermentation
For proper fermentation, the aguamiel must be combined with an exact ratio of water and yeast. As with most products containing yeast, producers are particular about the type of yeast they use. Some use a type of yeast that occurs naturally on Agave leaves, while others use wild strains, or strains that have been passed down through generations.
The yeast, water, and Agave juice are usually fermented in either wooden vats or large stainless-steel tanks. Like many other aspects of tequila production, each distillery typically does things a little differently. Fermentation occurs over a period of between seven and twelve days. During this time, many distilleries believe that happy yeast makes for better tequila. They try to create a positive environment for the yeast by playing relaxing, happy music.
Distillation
The next step in the process is the same as with many other types of spirits. Depending on the producer, tequila is distilled either two or three times. The first distillation produces a liquid of around 20% alcohol. This cloudy, pungent liquid is called ordinario. Ordinario is not yet tequila as the first distillation is simply meant to remove solid particles such as the yeast and other proteins or minerals.
After the second distillation, the alcohol content has increased to somewhere around 40-55%. If the liquid is clear, it can be considered silver or blanco tequila and can be sold as such. However, if the liquid is still cloudy, it still contains solid particles and will need to be distilled for a third time. Most tequilas are only distilled twice, since nearly all particles are removed after the second distillation, but some producers choose to distill their product three times to be sure.
Aging
After distillation, the tequila is moved to wooden barrels to be aged. Tequila is usually aged in white oak barrels, that are typically sourced from bourbon and whiskey distilleries. Barrels can only be used once for bourbon and whiskey but can be reused for tequila. Aging is where tequila is divided into different categories. Reposado tequila is aged for at least two months, but usually between three and twelve months. Añejo tequila is aged for between one and three years, while extra añejo tequila is kept in barrels for over three years.
Unaged blanco tequila is clear, but the longer a tequila is aged, the more color it develops. As with spirits such as bourbon and whiskey, the liquid gets its color and flavor from the barrel. The tequila absorbs tannins from the wood, giving it a rich, amber color.
So, the next time you enjoy a refreshing margarita or a classic shot of tequila with salt and lime, remember that the complex flavor of your favorite drink is due to a simple succulent. You can even propose a toast to Agave tequilana!