Distilling Knowledge Tequila and Mezcal Flashcards
What is agave?
It is a succulent NOT a cactus
Why is blue agave the only agave (out of 200 species) allowed for tequila production?
High concentrations of inulin, low fibre conent and its chemical compounds that contribute to the taste and aroma.
What are the two zones of agave cultivation?
Highlands and Lowlands
Describe Highland agave
Larger slower maturing and higher in sugar
Tapatio - green mango aroma
Describe Lowland agave
Earthier and more robust - i.e. Herradura
Chinoco - vegetal
What happens to the agave when it is cooked?
The inulin in the core hydrolises turning into fermentable sugars which caramelize creating extra congeners. No need to use enzymes.
What are Hornas?
Masonry oven, where chopped pinas are cooked for 36-48 hours at 100C
What are the 5 grades of tequila?
Blanco - No aging Joven or Oro - This is a blanco softened abocado or with an aged tequila Reposado - minimum 2 months in oak Anejo - Minimum of 1 year in oak Muy Anejo - minimum of 3 years in oak
What is the max size oak barrel for aging tequila?
600L
What is an autoclave?
Pressured cooker. Works at 121C speeding up the cooking process to 6 hours.
How is milling performed?
Stone Grinding - cooked agave crushed in a stone pit
Cutters/Shredders - combination of water and milling to extract the juice. Cooked agave is cut up by a rotating steel blade to release the juice.
What is formulation?
Prior to distillation a distiller will make up a final sugar solution
‘Tequila 100% agave’ - juice created from milling is mixed with the aguamiel
‘Tequila’ - add other fermentable sugars i.e. molasses or corn-based syrups
How is tequila typically distilled?
Double distilled in pot stills
How do distillers in tequila approach the pot still?
During first distillation some distillers make cuts for heads and tails and some discard the tails
What is abocado?
Softening out the taste of tequila by adding caramel, oak extract, glycerin and sugar syrup
Where is most mezcal produced?
Oaxaca
How are pinas cooked for mezcal?
They are roasted for 2-5 days in deep conical rock lined pits in the ground.
How are the hearts of the agave shredded?
Either using a tahona pulled by a horse or by hand held-mallets
How much non agave sugar can be added to mezcal pre fermentation?
20% can be added
How long does fermentation of mezcal typically take?
14-30 days
How is fermentation of mezcal carried out?
Generally using wild yeasts in open wooden vats or tanks
Why is moth larvae added to matured mezcal?
This is found in the plant itself. Some believe it contains a part of the magic of the plant. Some use it for marketing. Some interpret it as proof that the Mezcal is made from agave
State the steps to process agave
Blue agave Harvesting (jima) Agave piña Agave piña halved Steam — cooking (hornas or autoclave) Softened piña — aguamiel Milling/crushing Agave fibers and juice
Tequila is protected as an Appelation of Origin limited to which 5 states?
Jalisco Nayarit Guanajuato Michoacan Tamaulipas
