Tequila is probably the most famous export from Mexico's. During the latest years, the popularity of tequila have exploded. The most popular way of consumption is the the Margarita. In private homes a third of all cocktails consumed, is Margaritas. In bars a lot of tequila-shots are drunk as well.
The ancient Aztec indians produced a fermented drink, with low alcohol content. They called it pulque, and consisted of fermented sap from the agave plant. According to history, Cortez and his men was served this drink in hollow pumpkins (kalabas'es) by the Aztec emperor Montezuma. The invading spaniard were happy with the drink, and did research. The found that it was the blue agave that produced the most soft and aromatic tequila.
Agave is related to the narcis-family, and can after 8-20 year be up to 15 meter high. It often have pointy, sticky leaves, which is why tequila often jokingly is referred to as "cactus whiskey".
Tequila is produced in two regions in Mexico, one near the city of Tequila and the other near Tepatitlán. Tequila is a distillate of the fermented sap from the blue agave. There are other variants, but according to mexican law only the produce form the blue agave can be called tequila. The main substance must be at least 51% sap from the blue agave, and the remainder can be sugercane juice or other sugar. There are Tequila produced from 100% pure sap from the blue agave, they are characterized by demanding a certificate from the government to verify authenticity.
"White" tequila is exported immediately after fabrication.
"Gold" tequila is usually matured two to four years in oak casks. There is though no demand to the maturing time. If the Tequila is marked Tequila añejo it has to be matured for a minimum of one year.
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