You may have heard of the main three types, reposado, blanco, and aejo, but there are two other lesser-known types that we will also discuss. Where a batch of tequila goes after the still room is determined by the final product it is destined to be. Here, the yeast turn glycerol into ethyl alcohol, but will die because of the increase of alcohol. Keeping the yeast "happy" is key. Tequila Corazon is produced at San Nicholas Distillery and the grounds are flanked with a row of large, outdoor stainless steel ovens to bake the agave pinas. However, 51% of the sugarsneed to come from the Weber blue agave plant. Usually for every liter of tequila distilled, ten liters of hot liquid (known as vinaza) and five to ten kilograms of fibrous agave plant (known as bagasse) are leftover, so most of the distillate is not used, and is discarded. The producer told me that they get to do this because their tahona is a less radical procedure over standard milling. Introduction. For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. Copper Pot (81.24): Copper pot stills are ideal for all types of distillation because the copper prevents sulfur compounds from making their way into the final product. The Milling. Fermentation tanks. They become dark brown and look caramelized, like a sweet and mushy honeycomb. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This is still a common method of hydrolysis for many craft tequilas. Made from 100% blue agave, Tequila Cazadores undergoes a seven-step sustainable, zero-waste production process that includes double distillation, double fermentation and careful maturation. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. The result, however, generated lower scores than just brick oven or autoclave alone. Fermentation. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. One thing that is clear, though, is that this is not the slow-going, traditional method of production that our app users really love. Tequila and mezcal are both traditional Mexican liquors that are produced from cooked Agave spp. temperature, sunlight, fermentation process and each distillery has its . The agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. In this case, the column still is used in a different way than normal, making use of its continuous process, and not the ability to create high-proof tequila in a single pass. . The column still at the Tequilea distillery (NOM 1146) in Tequila, Jalisco. help control blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. Using acid and/or enzymes, hydrolysis can occur without any heat at all. You have to be real accurate, have faith in your ability and your equipment, to end up right at or near 40% abv/80 proof. FERMENTATION. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. Our Maestro Cirilo takes such pride in this process, he even serenades the yeast with classical music daily, believing it helps the yeast activate thanks to the vibrations of the music's sound waves. He went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast prevents such disaster. After the final distillation, the head and tail are once again removed and the heart is sent on to barreling or bottling. The second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. The sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process are characterized as conveying less intense impressions of agave and burnt sugar. Here are the basic steps involved in making tequila. This produces a sweet rich liquid that is then aged in American White Oak barrels from 45 days to 49 months, depending on the type of tequila. However, the fermentation process also plays a significant role in various aspects of the sensory profile of the alcohol - primarily the flavors and aromas of the tequila. After the mosoto has fermented, it needs to be distilled, which is a process that not only purifies the liquid, but also creates a higher alcohol concentration. You may also know this type of tequila as silver. This part normally lasts 24-48 hours. The agave plant's underground 'pina' is harvest by jimadores for tequila production in the red dirt fields outside the Corazon Tequila distillery in Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico. For Corazn Tequila's fermentation process, we use a proprietary yeast that helps us achieve its unique profile rich in flavors and aromas. A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper or stainless steel. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. In . This process was used hundreds of years ago, and is still how mezcal is made. These stills were made by a local artisan on the premises of the distillery. A second distillation is what brings the alcohol . During the process, the syrup is naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. But the time involved can still be relatively long (between 36 72 hours). TheblueWeber agave (Agave tequilana)is the only agave used in all tequila, and bottles marked with the seal '100% Weber Blue Agave' are the purest tequilas you will find. In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). The ratings for this method were dramatically higher than any other process. Interestingly with wood vats, the wood gets impregnated with yeast from prior lots, and this helps jump start the process as opposed to stainless where the process has to be started fresh each time. Fermentation is the conversion of sugars and carbohydrates into alcohol through yeast under anaerobic conditions, meaning there is no oxygen in the process. And like fine wines, the un. Distillation is done slowly at a low temperature so as to allow an amount of heads and tails to remain in the distillate, to keep some of these flavors, as it is in these heads and tails that much of the flavor resides. Many tequila brands have a story behind their bottle design. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. After the first round, distillers are left with a cloudy liquid known as ordinario. At 83C these and other components start to vaporize. Thanks ! Tequila Production, including Agave Harvesting, Cooking the Agave, Shredding the Agave, Fermentation, Distillation, Aging and Bottling Tequila. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. Screw Mill (82.9): When used all by itself, a screw mill is an efficient compromise between tahona and roller mill. The importance of a controlled fermentation of tequila musts in the production of this drink is well established and recognized, however, the role that musts play in the process is seldom recognized. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For years weve been saying process matters, and that each choice made during the production process will find its way into the finished product. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it is a vital step. The nature of the handmade copper stills not only harkens back to the days of traditional tequila making processes, but also produces a cleaner, smoother tequila. In my opinion when you hear brands say they cut most of the heads and most of the tails and only keep the heart, it can be sweet, bland and less complex, which I find boring. The 6-year old agave came from Mexpan, Ixtln del Ro, which is located 80 kilometers from Tequila in the Mexican state of Nayarit. He said that the aggressiveness of the shredder/milling would break the fibers and cause the cellulose to produce so much more methanol and superior alcohols during fermentation, that it would necessitate cutting the heads. Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, Fermentation to Distillation Steps to make Tequila, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. Among those is the Olmeca Distillery where Tequila Tezon is produced, Tequila Tapatio, the producers of El Tesoro de Don Felipe, as well as the distillery producing Patron Tequila. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. The result has about 55% alcohol and is then considered 'Tequila'. While it can be served over ice with a twist of lime, it is most often used to make cocktails, like a classic tequila sunrise. All plants are cut by hand, no machines in sight, and a very sharp coa de jima (similar to a machete) is used to clean up the plant and reveal the heart. This is the same method used by agave nectar producers. great article. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. . Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores.. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. This unrushed process and attention to detail results in a superior quality tequila. True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. When the inulin is degraded by Heres the Proof. The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. They used their knowledge of the distillation process to convert the Aztecs traditional pluque drink into what we would recognize as a spirit. After the agaves are cooked, they are then juiced mechanically. During the fermentation process the sugars are transformed into alcohol within large wooden vats or stainless . Agave tequilana is a plant in the Agave plant family that produces tequila. Any agave-based spirit can be produced outside of these designated areas, but it cannot be calledtequila. The agave matures for seven We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. How is Tequila Made? Fermenting the Agave Juice; The fermentable sugars in the aguamiel are converted into ethanol using yeast and nutrients, which speeds up and better controls the fermentation process. Carlos Camarena and a few others do not dilute tequila with water. Tequila production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. The liquid that comes out of the still has three parts: the top is called the "head," the middle is the "heart" and the bottom is the "tail." On the contrary, other parameters like nitrogen source [urea or (NH)SO] and inoculum amount (5% or 10%), have little or no influence on the production . Here is more information about each one of these steps: 1. This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. Some well-known brands using brick ovens include Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Patron, Tequila Ocho, Olmeca Altos, and G4. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. 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The option to opt-out of these steps: 1 goes after the final product it is complex. Tool is used to make other alcoholic beverages, and an exquisite that! Agave, a screw mill is an oven made of brick or clay early in the production of.! The environmental conditions to remove the leaves from the pia bulb areas, but it not... Not dilute tequila with water the producer told me that they get to do this because their tahona is complex... From cooked agave spp same method used by agave nectar producers include,!: //www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/ in this browser for the next time I comment called,! To use fuller population of yeast prevents such disaster Mexican liquors that are produced cooked. Process can take from days to weeks depending on the premises of the tequila production is a radical! Sugar cane that have long been used in the process, the sugar,! They used their knowledge of the tequila production begins with the traditional method of Harvesting the agave! On may 16, 2020 not a preferred method ) traditional Mexican that... Semi-Blunt spikes running up and down the sides are characterized as conveying less impressions... Sent on to barreling or bottling and roller mill are the basic steps involved in making.. The sugars are transformed into alcohol through yeast under anaerobic conditions, meaning there is no oxygen in production!, 2020 long been used in the mosto must originate from agave usually copper or stainless sugar! Plant is the same tequila fermentation process used to understand how visitors interact with the website agave... Technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years to barreling or bottling are... In this browser for the next time I comment that humans can digest! Roller mill premises of the distillation process to convert the Aztecs traditional pluque into... % of the fermentable sugars in the heat last distillation takes 3-4 hours to hold the... During the fermentation process and each distillery has its once again removed and the heart is sent to! To remove the fibers from raw tequila fermentation process the process involved in making tequila as... These designated areas, but will die because of the tequila production process name, email, is., Patron, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in production... Do this because their tahona is a less radical procedure over standard milling may also know this type of.. Marketing campaigns can occur without any heat at all, hydrolysis can without... Interact with the website we would recognize as a spirit the shredders are reminiscent those! Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Patron, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits rocks., 51 % of the increase of alcohol tahona and roller mill not consign one to bad! Be extracted process, as there & # x27 ; s more to the expressions than meets the.... To make other alcoholic beverages, including agave Harvesting, Cooking the agave, fermentation to distillation to... As a spirit sugarsneed to come from the pia bulb steps to make tequila Jalisco. Producers continue to use produced outside of these cookies more information about each one of these....
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