Tequila has been loved by the world in recent years. Originally consumed only in Mexico, it is the main local drinking wine. Because of the vibration caused by the "Margaret" cocktail based on tequila, it became famous at one fell swoop. Tequila has changed from a local distilled liquor in Mexico to a popular drink in the world. It can be seen everywhere in cocktail bars, like a striking cactus.
Mexico's specialty
The origin of tequila can be traced back to the Aztecs, who brewed a kind of wine called Pulque, which was made from the Mezcal plant (a kind of tequila). When Spain conquered Mexico, they applied distillation technology to the production of this local wine.
There are many different varieties of tequila, the best of which is called "blue gave", which is mainly planted in the tequila town of Jalisco. The Mexican government expressly stipulates that only wines made from special tequila produced there are allowed to be sold in the name of tequila, just as French cognac must be produced in the cognac region of France.
Distilled liquor made from other varieties of tequila is called "Mezcal", so all tequila is tequila, but not all tequila can be called tequila.
Tequila variety
Tequila wine
Tequila is the representative wine of Mexico. Its raw material is an Aqave agave bulb, which is made of agave (a pineapple-like plant). Because it is collected in this tequila area, it is called tequila, and the wine brewed outside this area is called Mezard. The division of labor is clear.
Tequila became famous in the world after the Mexico Olympic Games, and the popularity of margaritas laid the foundation for tequila.
Tequila and gin. Vodka. Rum. Whisky, also known as five base wines, can be divided into three categories according to storage methods and maturity:
White agave: Also known as transparent or silver agave, it is characterized by a strong grassy smell.
Golden tequila: Also known as Tequila Reposado, it turns golden when distilled and stored in barrels. Basically, golden tequila must be put in barrels for more than two months before it can be drunk.
Ancient agave: Axejo means "ancient" in Spanish. It has been stored in wooden barrels for more than a year. Due to long-term brewing, its strong taste was diluted, resulting in a very mild and refreshing taste, very similar to brandy.
Tequila manufacturing
Agave plants take ten to twelve years to mature, and their gray-blue leaves can sometimes reach ten feet long. When it is ripe, it looks like a giant tulip.
Tequila makers cut off the outer leaves and take the middle part "Pinal" (meaning pineapple). This thorny fruit is like a giant pineapple, weighing 150 pounds. This kind of fruit is full of sweet and sticky juice. Then put it in the oven to cook, so that the sweet juice is concentrated and the starch is converted into sugar.
The cooked pina is sent to another machine to be squeezed into juice for fermentation.
When the juice is fermented to 80% alcohol, distillation begins.
Tequila is distilled twice by copper single distillation, and the wine that has not been aged in wooden barrels is transparent and colorless, which is called white tequila and has a choking taste. Another kind of gold tequila, named after its light amber color, is usually stored in oak barrels for at least a certain amount, and its taste is similar to brandy.
Tequila tasting
In Mexico, the traditional drinking method of tequila is very special and requires some skills. First, sprinkle salt on the back of your hand, hold a small glass of pure tequila with your thumb and forefinger, and then hold a lemon slice with your ring finger and middle finger. Lick the salt off the tiger's mouth quickly, then drink the wine immediately and take a bite of lemon slices. The whole process is done in one go, and both the flavor and the drinking method are a must.
In addition, tequila is also suitable for drinking after cooling, or drinking with ice. Its unique flavor is more suitable for preparing various cocktails.
In addition, by the way, mescal wine is generally not drunk in countries outside Mexico, but it can still be bought. There are bugs eating the roots of agave plants at the bottom of the bottle. It is said that swallowing wine can bring courage to drinkers. But please rest assured that there will never be such harmless bugs in the bottle marked with the word tequila (bugs will live and die with the wine) (it seems to be called tequila ...), and the quality (fragrance) of the brewed wine is the best ... but the price is higher than that without bugs (it is said to be very good for men ...)
The general drinking method is as follows:
1 .. put the salt in the mouth of the cup and drink it all at once with a slice of lemon.
2 .. pure drink without Dongdong
Add ice cubes
Four ... plus seven liters ... is what we often hear: Teqila Pop covers the cup with a coaster, knocks hard, and then drinks it all at once.
5. Add orange juice and pomegranate syrup, and let the pomegranate slowly flow down the cup mouth to form a beautiful shape.
Chromosphere ... is called tequila sunrise.
6 .. add cointreau wine and lime juice to mix ... this is the famous Margaret.
7. scoop a spoonful of uncooked coffee (ground into powder) with a small spoon .. a sip of coffee and a sip of wine.
8 .. is a variant of the first drinking method ... restricted play, sprinkling salt on the neck of female (male) friends,
Ask him (her) to take a piece of lemon ... lick the salt first, then suck the lemon, and finally drink up the tequila grade.
Grade difference
Blue agave is a specialty of Mexico, mainly produced in Jalisco and Oaxaca. Due to the fire soil and special climate in the two places, the best blue agave varieties can be produced. Besides variety differences, diseases and insect pests, the length of sun exposure, the level of origin and other factors will also affect the quality.
The planting time of blue agave is about 8- 10 years, and it can only be harvested once. After harvesting, the leaves are separated and used as fertilizer. CABEZA weighs 60-80 kilograms and is boiled into syrup with water. After 1 2 fermentation and distillation, it is made into a world famous wine.
The bottles of some products are marked with 100% agave, which means that 100% is extracted from this plant, without any additives, and the quality is relatively pure and natural.
Tequila also has different grades due to different aging periods, and is generally aged in oak barrels. WHITE, also known as white or ABOCADO, is a primary product that can be distilled and drunk, and its taste is spicy and exciting.
If the storage barrel needs 19 months, it is called "silver; ; REPOSADO or gold, often aged 12- 18 months, this grade of wine is golden yellow and amber; ANEJO is age in English. As the name implies, it will be stored for a long time, mostly 2-5 years, and the taste will be more mellow and rich. There is also a commemorative wine, sometimes as long as 8 years, 10 years, 15 years. Generally known as Grand Reserve, the output is scarce. It is often used to give gifts to dignitaries or to commemorate special days.