Tequila the most misunderstood spirit

Tequila is a misunderstood spirit. You're likely accustomed to seeing it in margaritas, its subtleties masked by large quantities of sugar, or in shot glasses with a salted rim. But you don't really know tequila.

Tequila is a regional specific name for a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila,  in the highlands  of the north western Mexican state of Jalisco.

What is tequila made from?

All tequila is made from the blue agave plant. To create tequila, jimadores, or agave farmers, harvest agave plants after six to ten years of growth. Once harvested, the jimadores cut away the pencas, or leaves, of the agave to ensure that only the sweetest juices of the heart of the agave, the piña, remain. The agave are then cut into pieces and cooked in masonry ovens until they are soft."

Can tequila be produced outside of Mexico?

Just like Champagne or Cognac in France must be made there to be considered to bear the name, tequila can only be called tequila if it is produced and bottled in Mexico in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the Mexican states 

 

How can you spot quality tequila?

"Any quality tequila is going to be labeled as 100% Blue Agave. By Mexican law, any product labeled as 100% blue agave must be made and bottled in specific areas in Mexico."

 

How does aging affect tequila?

The process of aging tequila allows it to mellow into a smoother and different taste while capturing the subtle undertones from the wooden barrels each batch is aged in. Depending on the barrels used, and the maturation length, aging can affect the taste of each batch differently."

"For example, a Reposado needs to be aged at least two months according to Mexican law, but Don Julio matures its Reposado for at least eight months, which allows the delicious oak, chocolate, and cinnamon notes to come through and provide a fuller flavor."

 

What's the best way to drink tequila?

"There is not one best way to drink tequila, as it can be enjoyed in many different recipes and forms based on personal preference. The most popular tequila cocktail in America is the classic Margarita, which can be made with tequila, orange liqueur, some fresh-squeezed lime juice over ice."

Outside Mexico, a single shot of tequila is often served with salt and a slice of lime. This is called tequila cruda and is sometimes referred to as "training wheels", "lick-sip-suck", or "lick-shoot-suck" (referring to the way in which the combination of ingredients is imbibed). The drinkers moisten the back of their hands below the index finger (usually by licking) and pour on the salt. Then the salt is licked off the hand, the tequila is drunk, and the fruit slice is quickly bitten.