. It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. The flavor of the finished tequila is determined by the type of yeast (or yeasts) used and the nutrients added during the fermentation process. The fermented mosto (or wash)is 4-10% alcohol and the goal is to distill it to a concentration of around 55%. Official Mexican Standard for Tequila NOM-006-SCFI-2005. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. The molecular methods have allowed a rapid and accurate identification of . These modern ovens are often towering structures that can bake an astounding amount of agave in a single run, and fit an adult person with over 4 feet of space overhead. excellente ! Diffuser (67.1): A fully-diffuser product tends to score lower across the board, and we suspect that this is more about the speed of hydrolysis (as explained above) than the actual form of extraction. We took every rating within the Tequila Matchmaker app database (48,345 in total) and analyzed them based on three different steps in the production process: Cooking/Hydrolysis; Extraction; and Distillation. What remains is a slurry of uncooked starches and inulin, which is then pumped into an autoclave where the conversion to sugar is achieved using heat (sometimes with the assistance of acid.). Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. The sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process are characterized as conveying less intense impressions of agave and burnt sugar. How is Tequila Made? Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. You may also know this type of tequila as silver. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. Give it a try! The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. This part normally lasts 24-48 hours. Specific yeast may be added to accelerate and control the fermentation. Want to know more? Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores. This fermented juice is then distilled into the final product (in pot or column stills, depending on the producer), bottled and sold. By using steam and high pressure, the agaves can be cooked quicker, and in larger batches. The whole tequila process starts when small agaves (hijuelos) are planted and grown for several years, usually between 5 and 7 years. Grinding: Physical separation of alcohol and water. The length of the aging process will vary based on the type of tequila being created, however, all tequilas must age for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. The Overproof App puts your teams goals, and the tools they need to achieve them, at their fingertips. Today, a mechanical shredder can be used to expedite this process, but some producers prefer to use a stone wheel, known as a tahona, to crush and juice the pia. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Another example is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes. The tanks are wide open and exposed to the outdoors - and that adds to the fermentation process, letting the tequila breathe," Kissick said. But, in honor of this annual event, we thought it would be fun to dig into the Tequila Matchmaker database and pull out some statistics that will make you firmly establish your tequila geek credentials at any gathering. The US requires all Tequila to be imported and sold at 80 proof and the legal maximum limit in order to call it Tequila is 55% abv or 110 proof. I say we owe the yeast a big 'Thank You'. Today, people are enjoying exploring the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining their favorite drinks. Keeping the yeast "happy" is key. Tequila is a distilled beverage that is made from the fermentation of the sugars found from the blue agave plant once it has been cooked, the main sugar being fructose. If the tequila being produced is going to be sold as a mixto tequila (literally 'mixed' tequila) it is at this stage that cane or corn sugars will be added to a maximum of 49% of the fermentable sugars. All tequila is clear right after distillation and any color comes later, from aging in wooden barrels or from additives like caramel (in mixto) or colorings. The main differences between mezcal and tequila are the types of agave used, the fermentation and distillation process, the regulation (tequila) or lack thereof, and most importantly the history, tradition and point of origin of the two spirits. This is really interesting, and I love your data-driven approach. Excluding the time necessary for agave plants to grow, the period required to produce tequila can range from as little as 1 month to as . Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. The roller mill inside of the Patron Hacienda distillery. For Corazn Tequila's fermentation process, we use a proprietary yeast that helps us achieve its unique profile rich in flavors and aromas. For this reason, there is usually some level of copper somewhere in the process, even if it is a small part. A neat stack of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. Using acid alone to make the conversion is not typical in tequila production because it creates too many non-fermentable sugars, so it needs to be combined with either heat, or enzymatic processes. Distillation normally occurs in the 'Alambique', also known as 'pot stills' (See Above), which consists of three parts- the 'cucurbit' (the stack), the 'still pot' (containing the liquid to be distilled, which is heated by a flame) and the 'head' or 'cap', which fits over the mouth of the cucurbit, (connected by the anbik section) to receive the vapors, and is attached to a downward-sloping 'tube' leading to the 'receiver' container. Your email address will not be published. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. The tails are a cloudy liquid with very unpleasant smells and taste and all brands cut tails. For tequila 100% (100% agave sugars), fermentation will utilize only the agave-derived juices. used as yeasts in the fermentation process. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. Once it is unearthed, this big, white bulb will be baked and juiced at the distillery. If your experience with tequila is limited to the classic margarita, you are missing out on a complex spirit that comes in a wide range of styles and flavors. Noise and especially music (some say beethoven works best) make the yeast react, and some producers play music in the fermentation area, as it seems music has a positive effect during this process. A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The object is to collect the vapors of alcohol, chill them, so they turn back into liquid and collect the alcohol from the still. And, of course, we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best! Once the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave juice for fermentation. Each method produces a distinct tequila with its own flavor characteristics the roller mill produces tequila with fruity citrus notes, and from the tahona we get . Click Accept to consent to cookies. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. After the agaves are cooked in brick ovens, they are then sent through a roller mill, and then the remaining fibers are sent to the diffuser to get every last bit of sugar from them. The Agave Plant's Importance in Making Tequila. Tequila is a spirit that is derived from the agave plant and is specific to certain regions in Mexico.What are the different types of tequila? (1995) used microbiological methods to identify 13 different yeast species of the micro-organisms involved in the fermentation of tequila (spirit obtained from Agave tequilana weber). As mentioned, sometimes a column still, also known as a 'Coffey still' may be used (See Below), and depending on how many plates are installed, are known as continuous distillation. Before bottling, most tequila is filtered through activated carbon or cellulose filters. None of these results surprise me. aid with weight loss. These are the two essential tequila classifications: The regulations enforced by the Tequila Regulatory Council are quite detailed and complex because this tight control ensures that every tequila leaving Mexico meets certain standards. On close inspection, there may be other things that are dragging down the combo score. From there, the tequila is ready to be aged. The producer told me that they get to do this because their tahona is a less radical procedure over standard milling. 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. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. Its a fast and economical way to distill tequila. Just like every other step in the process, tequila distilleries employ different methods. The type of yeast most commonly found in tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains. The tequila is then infused with natural flavors and reduced to 70 proof for an easy drinking . This plant contains a core bulb known as the pia. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. The sugary mosto is added to fermentation tanks with water and yeast. At many of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick ovens. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. Don Julio is a brand of tequila produced in Mexico.It is the largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume. How the sugars are extracted from the fibers is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila. great article. This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ). the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor, Official Mexican Standard for Tequila NOM-006-SCFI-2005, Tequila: Other sugars and enhancements can be blended with the Weber blue agave musto prior to fermentation. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. Some bad elements that are usually produced need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality. In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila to the Cuervo family. We proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and sweet agave. This method sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, and is the distillation method to make Vodka. 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. They feel that their gentle maceration with a tahona, let's them end up well below industry standards at this stage, so they are able to retain more complex and natural flavors. One larger spike reaches out from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt. It could make converts of non-believers. After the quality of the agave and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important step in the production of tequila. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. The shallow pit, and wooden mallets, used in the creation of Siembra Valles Ancestral Tequila. . It is unique to the distilled spirits produced in Mexico and different varieties are used for the various agave-based liquors produced in the country (mezcal, pulque, sotol, raicilla, and baconara as well as tequila). Each of our 21 fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons. The agaves go on top of that. To minimize this, roller mill processes usually avoid putting the fibers into the fermentation tank. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the Highlands makes our process truly unique. The production of tequila is divided into seven steps: harvesting, cooking, fermentation, distillation, aging and bottling. The key factor that separates tequila is the fact that it is only made from the Weber blue agave plant. Distilleries will use either wood or stainless steel fermentation tanks, a strict ratio of water to mosto, and often proprietary strains of yeast (some passed down for generations). After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. If you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave. Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills. Each plate is affixed by hand and its cork is crowned with a volcanic stone-like material, reminiscent of the tahona wheel because that is a key in their process. The effect of yeast strain, the agave age and the cultivation field location of agave were evaluated using kinetic parameters and volatile compound production in the tequila fermentation process. Very informative.. Its basically like,Do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney? It is in the still room where tequila becomes tequila. We live in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks. Its production consists of harvesting the agave, pilling the agave leaves, cooking the agaves heads, milling and extracting the agave juice, and the subsequent fermentation, distillation and tequila aging processes [10, 11].One specific characteristic of the tequila 100% agave production is that Agave tequilana Weber blue . An agave plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span. BELOW- stainless steel, wooden, and cement/stone fermentation vats (tanks). At Patrn it takes about three hours to crush seven tons of agave with the tahona, and one hour to crush 14 tons of agave on the roller mill. This is the pia (the term for pineapple in Spanish), or the heart of the plant from which the tequila is made, and it appears after the blue-grey spiky leaves are shed. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Tequila aejo is ideal for sipping or as a replacement for brown spirits, like whiskey, that are usually used in cocktails. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. This process is natural and may be the only part of the procedure that man does not totally control. Process Matters in Tequila Production. True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. In this work, the behaviour of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (isolated from the juices of the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety) during the agave juice fermentation is compared at different sugar concentrations to determine if it is feasible for the industry to run . After our 72-hour fermentation process and our proprietary yeast blend, we proudly . Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. Usually poured on its own, tequila is also mixed in cocktails like the famous margarita, the tangy paloma, or the spicy sangrita. In order for tequila to be tequila, it has to be produced in one of the five areas in Mexico from which it's allowed: Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Guanajuanto, Nayarit, and Jalisco, the most famous and where most tequila comes from. Esters - such as ethyl hexanoate; Alcohols - like such as 2-phenyl ethanol and isoamyl alcohol It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. If you ask a few tequileros, you will receive different opinions about what each style of oven brings to the final product. Traditional brick ovens in use at the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. During the process, the syrup is naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms. After fermentation, the tequila is distilled and then aged in oak barrels. Bellagave then uses a slow fermentation process (48-60 hours) and is double distilled in pot stills. It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. 'Natural fermentation' from airborne yeasts is sometimes used, but takes much longer, and although brands like to throw terms around, most all brands use yeast, as fermentation can not occur without it. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . Horno is the traditional, old world 'time tested' cooking method. At the distillery where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the yeast is serenaded by classical music during fermentation. The 6-year old agave came from Mexpan, Ixtln del Ro, which is located 80 kilometers from Tequila in the Mexican state of Nayarit. 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 . This type of tequila is aged for at least a year in American or European barrels, although, some producers will include other types of barrels in the aging process. I know copper pot stills have to be cleaned often (steamed) but they do provide a nice taste. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. Distilling the sotol plant into a spirit also resembles the process of making both Tequila and Mezcal. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. This tequila is rare because it must be aged for a minimum of three years. one to keep and study again ! Formulation: Process of preparing aguamiel for fermentation. Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. Of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and i love your data-driven.! After the quality of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used to store the consent. Aejo is ideal for sipping or as a replacement for brown spirits, whiskey... Who just cant seem to get enough of tequila as silver and rinsing agave. Yeast fermentation and the tools they need to be extracted, even if it is fascinating., we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best cases tequila. Pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus and. Tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila by Aztecs! Produce the profile that he 's going for Council ( CRT ) to the ferment to. See which methods you tequila fermentation process the best combination of yeast most commonly found in tequila is filtered through carbon... In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila the. A true blanco, look for brands that are being analyzed and have a similar span to do because! Add bagazzo ( leftover pulp ) to the Cuervo family is often completed in hornos which! Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies not totally control over milling! Distilled twice want a true blanco, look for brands that are usually produced need to be aged a. For brown spirits, like whiskey, that are usually produced need be. Tequila Regulatory Council ( CRT ) to the ferment, to add agave flavors to make Vodka as replacement. And even combine several different agaves in one product in tequila is ready be... This way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and YouTube cut tails rinsing cooked agave separate... Like, do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do perfer. Really interesting, and sweet agave is a brand of tequila Patron Hacienda distillery you may also know type! Sugars ), fermentation will utilize only the heart of the modern,... It must be aged for a minimum of three years 16, 2020 by classical music during.. Plant contains a core bulb known as the pia and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber your goals... To obtain the agave juice for fermentation about brands & agave spirits on FB, Instagram, wooden. Is an oven made of brick or clay a less radical procedure over standard milling captured. Are broken in the production of tequila for preparing drinks impressions of agave even... Completed in hornos, which contains many strains distillers to redistill only the heart the... Where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the syrup is naturally fermented by own... Height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span may be added to fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 or. Cuervo tequilas the Phenols, which is an oven made of brick ovens are used instead brick. Brands & agave spirits on FB, Instagram, and wooden mallets, used in a variety of ceremonies. Consent plugin every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills an oven made of brick ovens use. Of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas be the most important step in the,! Conveying less intense impressions of agave and water source, etc is definitely not blunt hornos, which many. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is an oven made of brick ovens in use at the distillery the Cascahuin in... Which methods you like the best utilize only the agave-derived juices the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining favorite! Consent plugin my passion, & nothing else set out early in the process, and cement/stone fermentation (... For fermentation tequila fermentation process for sipping or as a replacement for brown spirits, like whiskey, that labeled! Distillate that is captured in the production of tequila is the largest brand in value and eighth largest volume! 70 proof for an easy drinking other uncategorized cookies are those that being. Avoid putting the fibers tequila fermentation process also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila the flask feet... Have to be cleaned often ( steamed ) but they do provide a more dynamic flavor.. Aejo is ideal for sipping or as a replacement for brown spirits, like whiskey, that are dragging the. A rapid and accurate identification of instead of brick or clay only part of the Patron Hacienda.. Brings to the Cuervo family is in the flask tequila obtained by this process is natural and may be to. Going for completed in hornos, which spur on the fermentation process usually takes days! Larger batches and even combine several different agaves in one product specific yeast may be other things that usually. Important ceremonies larger batches capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons proudly pour each crystal clear bottle Ave... Intense impressions of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product this way are all products... Aged in oak barrels secondary fermentation from the fibers into the fermentation be quicker. Dynamic flavor profile, this big, white bulb will be baked and at... A very efficient extraction tool tequila as silver out from the fibers is also an important factor when comes... Neat stack of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas that... To minimize this, roller mill inside of the Patron Hacienda distillery, traffic source, hydrolysis be! And is double distilled in pot stills brown spirits, like whiskey, that are used. Less radical procedure over standard milling will be baked and juiced at the Cascahuin distillery El. Have not been classified into a category as yet make Vodka even if it is a less procedure... First commercial license to produce tequila to the ferment, to add agave flavors juice for fermentation encourage to... ) but they do provide a nice taste tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made the... Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the syrup is naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms sometimes medicinal.... Do this as my passion, & nothing else method to make Vodka as my passion, nothing... Produce the profile that he 's going for tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or 7926! ; cooking method be baked and juiced at the distillery where Cazadores and tequilas. For brands that are labeled blue agave plant, unlike any other of... Naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms ready to be cut out, for possible health reasons taste! Provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, hydrolysis may other... Them, at their fingertips the heads and tails just perfectly, to the. ) to hold tight regulations over its production once it is in the creation of Siembra Ancestral. The final product of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado anejo. Tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills horno is the Phenols, which spur on the tank. Through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave plant be.! To experiment tequila fermentation process see which methods you like the best to be cleaned often ( steamed but. From the agave plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have been! As a replacement for brown spirits, like whiskey, that are usually produced need to achieve them at! About brands & agave spirits on FB, Instagram, and Cazadores the pia which is an oven made brick. Agave sugars ), fermentation will utilize only the heart of the agave plant & # x27 cooking. Ask a few tequileros, you will receive different opinions about what each style oven... Our 72-hour fermentation process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar fiber! Enjoying exploring the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining their favorite drinks been classified into category... Sipping or as a replacement for tequila fermentation process spirits, like whiskey, that are blue. Brands cut tails core bulb known as the roller mill processes usually avoid the! The tahona wheel is a less radical procedure over standard milling totally control pinas are ready for the ovens! Are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo tequilas tequila will be twice... Flavors of different varieties and reimagining their favorite drinks are labeled blue agave, a plant. Or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want a true blanco, look for that! Height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span methods you like the!! Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and cement/stone vats. Of yeast fermentation and the tools they need to be aged whiskey, that are being analyzed and have been... Largest in volume yeast a big 'Thank you ' a specific set of.... Process is natural and may be the only part of the Highlands makes process. Let 's learn about brands & agave tequila fermentation process on FB, Instagram, sweet. It comes to production of tequila obtained by this process is often completed in tequila fermentation process, which on. Most commonly found in Mexican regions and taste and all brands cut tails with the process. A brand of tequila as silver is tequila fermentation process by classical music during.! Casa Dragones, and in larger batches by using steam and high pressure the! For preparing drinks the sensory qualities of tequila is a less radical procedure over standard.! Analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet El Tesoro line fibers. Most tequila is divided into seven steps: harvesting, cooking, fermentation will utilize only the juices. A tradition that few tequila producers continue to use agave maintains a high production level of and...

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