Agave Classifications (Mezcal & Other) Flashcards
How many species of agave are used to make mezcal
approx 50 with countless subvarieties
what production methods lead to unique difference in flavour of mezcal vs tequila
- traditional cooking done in stone-lined earthen pits (Horno)
- various fermenting tanks are used in Mezcal (wooden, stone-lined, animal hide)
- direct fire pot still made of clay, wood or copper
when did Mezcal get official DO
1994
what nine states are allowed to call their product “Mezcal”
- Oaxaca
- Durango
- Zacatecas
- San Luis Potosi
- Guanajuato
- Guerrero
- Tamaulipas
- Michoacan
- Puebla
What is the Mezcal version of CRT
CRM - Consejo Regulador del Mezcal formed in 1997
what is NOM 70 and what did it do
passed in 2017 it formed the 3 catgories and 6 different classes of Mezcal
What are the 3 categories of Mezcal
- Mezcal
- Mezcal Artisanal
- Mezcal Ancestral
What are the rules for Category “Mezcal”
This is the most generic classification
* allows for highly industrialized large-scale production
* agave hearts can be cooked in stone pit, above-ground masonry oven, or autoclaves
* crushed by tahona, mill, shredder, continuous mill or diffuser
* fermented in wood, concrete or S/S tanks
* distilled in continuous still, copper still or stainless steel column still
What are the rules for Category Mezcal Artisanal
most common classification (92% of category in 2018)
* agave hearts only cooked in underground stone pits or above-ground masonry oven (brick or stone)
* crushed by hand, tahona, mills or mechanical shredder
* fermented in clay, earth, wood, stone or animal skin
* distilled only over direct fire cooper pot still, clay pot still or stainless steel - agave fibers may be included
What are the rules for Category Mezcal Ancestral
The most traditional method / very small percentage of producers produce this way
* agave heart must be roasted in pit ovens only
* crushed by hand, tahona, chilean or egyptian mill
* fermented in stone, earth, wood, clay or animal skin
* distilled only in clay pots over direct fire - may include agave fibers
what is a Chillean or Egyptian Mill
similar to tahona it is a large stone wheel rolled over product to crush it. First used for mining then adapted for agriculture
What are the 6 classes of Mezcal
- Blanco (Joven)
- Madurado en Vidrio (aged in glass for more than 12 months - either buried underground or in a space with little variation in light/temp/humidty)
- Reposado (aged between 2-12 months)
- Anejo (aged more than 12 months)
- Abocado con (flavors added after distillation)
- Distilado con (ingredients added during distillation to add flavor - ex. pechuga)
Where is most mezcal made
Oaxaca; 92% (2018)
What agave is most used for mezcal
Espadin (from A. Angustifolia family)
What are the 6 other mexican spirits
Bacanora
Comiteco
Raicilla
Tuxca
Charanda
Sotol
