Agave Growth & Harvesting

Question 1

What is the scienftic name of Weber Blue Agave

Answer 1

Agave Tequilana

Question 2

Why was A.Tequilana prefered for Tequila

Answer 2

better resistance to disease
fewer years to reach maturity than most
high sugar content
high production rate of Hijuelos

Question 3

What is a Hijuelo

Answer 3

rhizomal offshoots used to propagate new agaves. Commonly referred to clones

Question 4

What is the colour of A.Tequilana

Answer 4

Light grey-blue

Question 5

What are A.Tequilana physical characteristics

Answer 5

120-180cm tall
90-120cm Pencas (leaves)
Pencas shaped like spears
Rosetta shaped growth to allow all leaves to get sunlight

Question 6

A.Tequilana pencas characteristics

Answer 6

Typically 130 leaves in 7-year growth period
When they die they decend to the ground covering topsoil to lock humidy in soil

Question 7

A.Tequilana pina characteristics

Answer 7

the core of plant resembles pineapple (Pina)
circular in shape / very thick
height between 30-50cm
ave. weight 30kg after 6 years

Question 8

A.Tequilana biomass

Answer 8

1. 50% pina & 50% leaves
2. 70% water, 5% Fiber, 25% Carbohydrates (inulin)

Question 9

A.Tequilana reproduction

Answer 9

1. from seed via the flowers on the Quiote
2. Hijuelos (asexually) that grow around the base of the plant.
3. Bulbils - clones that drop from Quiote and root where they land or where carried to.

Question 10

what is a Quiote

Answer 10

very large thich asparagus stalk that produces bulbils and flowers

Question 11

what is a Bulbil

Answer 11

small hijuelos produced on branches of quiote that require long period of time to grow, will fall to ground and reroot where they land

Question 12

how does A.Tequilana reproduce sexually

Answer 12

via flower and seed that is transplanted by bees, hummingbirds and bats

Question 13

is there (dis)advantage to asexual vs sexual reproduction

Answer 13

asexual is much faster but lacks genetic variaty meaning each generation often produces less sugars; sexual reproduction yields healthier plants but takes much much longer

Question 14

what are the parts of the quiote

Answer 14

Manitas - short flower stalks spreading from common point (like umbrella)
Cayacas - flower buds at end of Manitas (after Quiote reaches full height)
Flora - fully opened flowers at end of Cayacas (attract local pollinators)
Plantanitos - flora that eventually dry into seed capsule that fall to ground.

Question 15

Where are A.Tequilana grown in Jalisco

Answer 15

Highlands (aka Los Altos) and Lowlands (aka Valley)

Question 16

What are charicteristics of Valley Terrior

Answer 16

Temp: 20°-25°c
Alt.: 1100m-1400m
Soil: Grey-ochre w/ some iron, good nutrient concentration & higher PH
2.5k-2.8k plants per Hectare
5yr average age on harvest

Question 17

What are charicteristics of Highland Terrior

Answer 17

Temp: 15°-20°c
Alt.: 1500m-2100m
Soil: Redish w/ high nutrient content, some iron, slightly lower PH
2.8k-3k plants per Hectare
6yr average age on harvest

Question 18

Valley Tequilas USP’s

Answer 18

1.Fewer agave grown in valley
2.Blk volcanic soil
3.Hotter temp = faster growth but less sugar (25% less).
4.Tend to be charicterized as Peppery, herbaceous, earthy, mineral, dry and assertive

Question 19

Highland Tequilas USP’s

Answer 19

1. soil mix of clay and silt encourage healthy plants
2. flavors include Round, Sweet, floral, citrusy, and fruity.

Question 20

Agave growth needs

Answer 20

1. pH toward acidity
2. soil not sandy or muddy (not too thin or swampy)
3. No irrigation needed
4. Good amount of sun (265-300 days a year)

Question 21

Who harvests the agave

Answer 21

Jimadores. Skilled ones can dislodge and trim a 45kg agave in 3 min

Question 22

What are the steps in harvesting agave

Answer 22

1. remove the Pencas (long spikey leaves using a Coa)
2. test the sugar
3. look for red spots

Question 23

what happens to the shaved pencas

Answer 23

they are tilled into the soil for nutrients

Question 24

how close does jimador shave the pencas

Answer 24

each distiller prefers a different trimming length.