Agave Growth & Harvesting Flashcards
What is the scienftic name of Weber Blue Agave
Agave Tequilana
Why was A.Tequilana prefered for Tequila
better resistance to disease
fewer years to reach maturity than most
high sugar content
high production rate of Hijuelos
What is a Hijuelo
rhizomal offshoots used to propagate new agaves. Commonly referred to clones
What is the colour of A.Tequilana
Light grey-blue
What are A.Tequilana physical characteristics
120-180cm tall
90-120cm Pencas (leaves)
Pencas shaped like spears
Rosetta shaped growth to allow all leaves to get sunlight
A.Tequilana pencas characteristics
Typically 130 leaves in 7-year growth period
When they die they decend to the ground covering topsoil to lock humidy in soil
A.Tequilana pina characteristics
the core of plant resembles pineapple (Pina)
circular in shape / very thick
height between 30-50cm
ave. weight 30kg after 6 years
A.Tequilana biomass
- 50% pina & 50% leaves
- 70% water, 5% Fiber, 25% Carbohydrates (inulin)
A.Tequilana reproduction
- from seed via the flowers on the Quiote
- Hijuelos (asexually) that grow around the base of the plant.
- Bulbils - clones that drop from Quiote and root where they land or where carried to.
what is a Quiote
very large thich asparagus stalk that produces bulbils and flowers
what is a Bulbil
small hijuelos produced on branches of quiote that require long period of time to grow, will fall to ground and reroot where they land
how does A.Tequilana reproduce sexually
via flower and seed that is transplanted by bees, hummingbirds and bats
is there (dis)advantage to asexual vs sexual reproduction
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
what are the parts of the quiote
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.
Where are A.Tequilana grown in Jalisco
Highlands (aka Los Altos) and Lowlands (aka Valley)
What are charicteristics of Valley Terrior
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
What are charicteristics of Highland Terrior
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
Valley Tequilas USP’s
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
Highland Tequilas USP’s
- soil mix of clay and silt encourage healthy plants
- flavors include Round, Sweet, floral, citrusy, and fruity.
Agave growth needs
- pH toward acidity
- soil not sandy or muddy (not too thin or swampy)
- No irrigation needed
- Good amount of sun (265-300 days a year)
Who harvests the agave
Jimadores. Skilled ones can dislodge and trim a 45kg agave in 3 min
What are the steps in harvesting agave
- remove the Pencas (long spikey leaves using a Coa)
- test the sugar
- look for red spots
what happens to the shaved pencas
they are tilled into the soil for nutrients
how close does jimador shave the pencas
each distiller prefers a different trimming length.
