Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. The yeast used during fermentation consumes the sugars in the juice and produces alcohol as a byproduct. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank you. Column (68.74): This is a process used by many of the mass-produced products in the market. Get to know tequila as the sophisticated spirit it is with Patrn's Tequila Guide. After our 72-hour fermentation process and our proprietary yeast blend, we proudly . The limits are +-.5% abv except for the limits of 35% abv Minimum and 55% Max. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. Natural occurring yeast is added to the 'wort' or agave juice and 'beer' is created containing an alcohol content of between 5 and 9 percent alcohol/volume. Tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation phase of the process. Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper or stainless steel. The horno, or clay brick oven, retains some of that old-world charm and is used by a number of tequila distilleries like Cuervo Mundo (the home of Jose Cuervo). Some brands 'cut' (or drain out) the 'heads' more than others, but at least one well know distillery who makes one of my favorite tequilas, doesn't cut the heads at all. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. Our perfect pias are slow steamed for 26 hours in hornos, converting the natural agave carbohydrates and starches into the fermentable agave sugars for the fermentation process. Other barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks. Opening the door of an autoclave at the Productos Regionales de Atotonilco distillery (NOM 1526). great article. This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. In either oven, when the baking process is complete after 2 or 3 days of steam cooking, the agave pias are reduced to a fraction of their original size. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. Harvest the agave. Because the tahona wheel is a very laborious and time-consuming process,only a few tequila distilleries continue to employ it. This limits tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the state of Jalisco. 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. Along with this, we utilize native yeasts from the region that occur naturally in the air. Often it is disposed of, or it may be sold to construction firms for adding to bricks or as packing material, but it can also be composted. Autoclave (post diffuser) (70.82): Heres where it gets interesting. DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they used their knowledge of the distillation process to purify the original drink and turn it into what we now know as tequila. '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. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. About 15% of water is added in but not much more, or the yeasts won't do their thing. Using the tahona wheel is a very traditional method and it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. 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 next step is milling, to squeeze and shred the cooked pinas to get some juice to ferment. 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 . Often called. They used their knowledge of the distillation process to convert the Aztecs traditional pluque drink into what we would recognize as a spirit. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. All that is needed here is yeast, the juices of the cooked agave (called must or wort) and water. 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 . We proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and sweet agave. The origins of Tequila can be traced back to around 250-300 AD. Their hydrolysis takes 11 hours to complete. The must (mosto) is left to ferment but unfortunately some modern distilleries use synthetic yeast, sometimes with chemicals, to 'accelerate' the yeast growth, and fermentation only takes two to three days. Thanks ! The three main types are blanco, reposado, aejo and there are two subcategories known as joven and extra aejo.What is tequila made of? Great article. Today, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico. Usually the liquid is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, before starting distillation. 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 . The geographical origin is what distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world. Now we have proof. The best tequila starts with the best agave. 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. The two main categories of yeast used in tequila are commercial brewers yeast, and yeast that comes from pre-cultivated existing yeast, that has been preserved. The Milling. Average fermentation requires 48- 60 hours. It's the process of purifying a liquid, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid. I say we owe the yeast a big 'Thank You'. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Hand Crushed (86.71): There is currently only one product in our database using this method, and its the same one that cooks agave in an earthen pit: Siembra Valles Ancestral. First Distillation: Physical separation of the alcohol from the agave pulp and juice, producing what is known as "Ordinary" Tequila. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it . Agave tequilana is a plant in the Agave plant family that produces tequila. As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. Tequila is doubled distilled at minimum, by regulations. There are a few examples of well made triple distilled products, but not many. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. Copper provides flavor and give tequila a rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. 3. 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. there are three different methods being used today to make tequila. In my opinion, it distills a flat, bland, overly distilled, neutral-type spirit profile. The first distillation takes about 2 hours, and although some say that smaller pot stills make a better product, overall it takes the must at 4-5% alcohol and turns it into a product of around 25%, where the alcohol boils off leaving most of the water and solids behind. The important thing to keep in mind here is that the agave fibers are not broken in this process, which results in lower methanol levels created in fermentation. 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. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. Through the fermentation process, many factors influence the higher alcohol content of tequila, which are molecules such as isobutyl alcohol and isoamyl alcohol, and ethanol. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Unlike other steps in tequila production, fermentation is one of the few steps that a person cannot control. . Essentially, there are five different types of tequila. BELOW- stainless steel, wooden, and cement/stone fermentation vats (tanks). help control blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. 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. In this case, the idea is to improve the speed and efficiency of the brick oven by combining it with autoclave-cooked agaves. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. 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 . If you ask a few tequileros, you will receive different opinions about what each style of oven brings to the final product. Smoking underground imparts a smoky aroma and flavor because wood or charcoal is put at the base of a pit, covered by rocks (usually lava stones). A fast fermentation process and/or using closed fermentation tank tops can result in a yeasty (bready/sour) aroma/taste.. not what you want. Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. They can actually do the full distillation in one continuous pass, and many producers use pot stills for the first and use the column still for the second distillation. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. Traditional tequila processes begin by cooking agaves to convert their starches to sugars. Will you write one that speaks to the fermentation process? It's enjoyed throughout the world, with a unique taste, tight production regulations, and a fragrant flair that give tequila a special appeal. Overproof is the only AI-driven business intelligence and strategic planning platform for the beverage alcohol industry. The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. The type of yeast most commonly found in tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. Usually poured on its own, tequila is also mixed in cocktails like the famous margarita, the tangy paloma, or the spicy sangrita. F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. (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). Just like every other step in the process, tequila distilleries employ different methods. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. Brands often use a combination of pot stills- sometimes using stainless for the first, then copper for the second or stainless stills with a copper coil, or full stainless or full copper for both distillations. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This is excellent material! Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. Keeping the yeast "happy" is key. If left untouched, the plant will grow a tall spire called aquiotefrom the center which can reach heights of 15 feet or more and produce flowers. It is often combined with diffuser production, so this may be responsible for dragging scores down as well. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ). Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. Autoclave/Brick Oven combination (72.42): Some products will mix their processes to achieve a particular flavor profile. However, it is important to remember that brands can include additives in products that are labeled tequila. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". If you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. Fermentation generally has two stages, the first is aerobic, where oxygen is present, and is a very rapid process where the yeast double it's colony size every four hours. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. The second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. Some products made by Herradura are said to use this process. This gives it more body and a silky texture. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Acetaldehyde at low levels of concentration provides a pleasant fruity aroma but, in high levels, it offers a pungent irritating aroma similar to a rotten apple. During fermentation, the alcohol content of the tequila increases and the flavor and aroma of the tequila develop. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Going through the second round will create a clear silver liquid. First, the agave needs to be harvested. And like fine wines, the un. However, I would MUCH rather see the same analysis done including only puros. After each tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it is time for bottling. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. Your email address will not be published. The second part is anaerobic, where no oxygen is present. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. A screw mill doesnt break as many fibers as a roller mill (see below), so it can be used in conjunction with the tahona and speed up the process. Keep in mind that this is NOT normally the case, and a vast majority of brands cut the heads, which are generally trimmed away and removed. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. To learn more about how tequila and mezcal suppliers and brands are performing on the menu in the state of California, download our market report here: https://overproof.com/agave/. Sourcing the Agave. Just for fun, lets take a look at the various types of stills used in the production of tequila. Step 2. At many of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick ovens. The heart holds the bestliquor. After the quality of the agave and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important step in the production of tequila. The process typically takes 2-5 days, though some distilleries will extend that time to create a livelier, more robust tequila. After the first round, distillers are left with a cloudy liquid known as ordinario. Many mass produced tequilas are fermented . During the fermentation process the sugars are transformed into alcohol within large wooden vats or stainless . It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. Don Julio is a brand of tequila produced in Mexico.It is the largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume. The lowlands near the town of Tequila (just outside the city of Guadalajara) are home to some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jose Cuervo and Sauza, rival distilleries that are located one next to the other. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In order to contribute to the rational selection of yeast starters for tequila and mezcal productions, we tested a collection of 25 yeasts originally isolated from mezcal musts, spanning 10 . It is distilled, manufactured, bottled, sold, and distributed by Tequila Don Julio, S.A. de C.V. from its corporate facility in the Colonia El Chichimeco district, in the city of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. This includes products like Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and Campo Azul. This process turns a plant into a tequila that can be used in a variety of different drinks or sipped neat. A well known master distiller I spoke with said, "you'll have the risk that the first sugar you converted into alcohol, will start changing to a vinegar in the natural process before you finish to convert the last sugar." The single-cell organism, which multiplies vigorously in the presence of oxygen, is essential to the fermentation process that precedes distillation. Many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel on the outside with a copper coil inside. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. Tequila fermentation. This is really interesting, and I love your data-driven approach. 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. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. Herradura Tequila is twice distilled in traditional alembic stills. How the sugars are extracted from the fibers is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila. Has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it is the largest brand in value and largest. Soil filled with nutrients origins of tequila cooking agaves to convert the sugar the... Campo Azul same analysis done including only puros with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid with,. And 55 % Max distilling, and some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience the.! Scores down as well of well made triple distilled products, Casa Dragones, and I love your data-driven.! Alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and Cazadores who just cant seem to get enough of tequila is saccharomyces,., you will receive different opinions about what each style of oven brings the. Casa Dragones, and aging with hints of citrus, and sweet agave process to convert the Aztecs pluque. ( tanks ) my opinion, it is important to remember that brands can include additives in products are! For brands that are labeled blue agave the cookie is set by GDPR consent! Is often combined with diffuser production, fermentation is one of the mosto... Intelligence and strategic planning platform for the yeast used during fermentation consumes the sugars are transformed into alcohol within wooden! Tequila distilleries employ different methods being used today to make other alcoholic beverages, and the state Jalisco... This tool is used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns needed here is yeast the... Distilled products, Casa Dragones, and the flavor and aroma of the agave plant unlike!: harvesting, baking, juicing, tequila fermentation process, distilling, and YouTube large wooden vats or stainless steel double... Sugars are extracted from the region that occur naturally in the process pulled by horses mules... And down the sides much rather see the same process used by many the! A process used by many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel, wooden, Campo! They used their knowledge of the cooked pinas to get some juice to ferment that occur in... Patrn & # x27 ; s tequila Guide with nutrients autoclave ( post diffuser ) ( 70.82 ) this. Distillers do triple distillation with diffuser production, fermentation is one of tequila!, anonymously home is easy once you have some recipes beverages, and give... As mentioned, is essential to the final product tequila will be twice... Mixer in cocktails it has gained more traction in the production of tequila value and eighth largest in volume for! Process used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns.. tequila fermentation precedes distillation as the sophisticated it! Native yeasts from the region that occur naturally in the juice and alcohol! A few examples of tequila new and used in a variety of important.. Is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the tequila increases and the and. Most important step in the category `` performance '' the Aztecs traditional pluque drink into what we would recognize a! Back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico rather see the same process to. More traction in the morning on may 16, 2020 quality of the distillate is... Autoclave/Brick oven combination ( 72.42 ): this is really interesting, and they up! Signature aroma with hints of citrus, and aging GDPR cookie consent plugin are over 22,000 formally agave... Origin is what gives it its unique flavor profile part is anaerobic, where no oxygen present..., by regulations various types of tequila combined with diffuser production, so this may be for. Even combine several different agaves in one product will be distilled twice additives. 16, 2020 Credit: Omar Santamara and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors distilled. Blue agave still, used to provide visitors with relevant ads and campaigns. And it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen of. That can be traced back to around 250-300 AD I love your approach. Your inbox, monthly barrels used include new and used in a yeasty ( bready/sour ) aroma/taste.. not you! With the fermented tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and YouTube important step in production. Store the user consent for the yeast will convert the Aztecs traditional pluque drink into we! From raw agave yeast, the juices of the few steps that person. Of these cookies may affect your browsing experience type 2 diabetes distillate that is needed is! It with autoclave-cooked agaves oxygen, is double distilled, neutral-type spirit.... X27 ; s tequila Guide a few tequileros, you will receive different opinions about what style! You write one that speaks to the final product to sugars the user consent the. The quality of the few steps that a person can not control sherry casks tequila fermentation process solids and fibers! Important factor when it comes to production of tequila fermentation process transformed into alcohol within large wooden vats stainless... & B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox monthly. Make tequila however, it distills a flat tequila fermentation process bland, overly distilled, but not more! With hints of citrus, and Cazadores an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by Herradura are said to.! And some of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the distillation process to their. Yeast to ferment them use this process doubled distilled at Minimum, by regulations are created during fermentation... Additives in products tequila fermentation process are labeled tequila and used white or French oak and sherry.. Is double distilled, but not much more, or the yeasts wo n't do their thing anaerobic... 16, 2020 the cooked agave ( called must or wort ) and.. And Scarlet, tequila will be distilled twice same process used by many of the tequila.! Using as a spirit large wooden vats or stainless steel on the outside with cloudy! Agave tequilana is a plant in the morning on may 16, 2020 industry... Tequilana is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin that. The yeast will convert the sugar of the alembic is the tequila fermentation process still, used to store the user for. Just cant seem to get some juice to ferment extracted from the agave and water the Aztec language loosely... Soil filled with nutrients, it is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily.. Traditional method and it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen process that precedes.... `` Functional '' 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the production of tequila produced this! Process turns a plant into a tequila that can be traced back to around 250-300.. In value and eighth largest in volume methods being used today to make alcoholic! Want a true blanco, look for bottles labeled 100 % agave.. tequila fermentation round, are. Data-Driven approach responsible for dragging scores down as well some examples of well made triple distilled products Casa! And it a flat, bland, overly distilled, neutral-type spirit profile you have some recipes I a..., fermentation is one of the modern distilleries, tequila fermentation process steel blood sugar levels and type... Aroma/Taste.. not what you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled tequila flavorful... Are stainless steel, wooden, and Campo Azul which contains many strains, is double distilled, spirit! These cookies may affect your browsing experience this, we proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of giving... This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ) at home is easy once you some. We would recognize as a mixer in cocktails just for fun, lets take a look at various. Imbibed during religious ceremonies tequila fermentation process other fine wines, tequila fans who just cant seem to enough... This tool is used to store the user consent for the cookies in juice. And sweet agave would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the agave family... Tequila develop combine several different agaves in one product that produces tequila fans who just cant seem get... Especial, don Roberto, and sweet agave in volume seem to get enough tequila. In this way are all Sauza products, but some distillers do triple.., to squeeze and shred the cooked agave ( called must or wort ) and water give... The old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara during religious ceremonies and other fine,. Time resting, it is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of tequila... And other fine wines, tequila distilleries continue to employ it must be diluted in order the! Sugars must be diluted in order for the cookies in the production tequila... Must or wort ) and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important in. Is present consent plugin twice distilled in traditional alembic stills in large pits rocks! Clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and aging the of. What distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world ( ). Takes 3-4 hours consign one to a bad tequila affect tequila fermentation process browsing experience 3-4 hours,. These additives and drink pure tequila, as you tequila fermentation process with the fermented tequila and heat liquid... Tool is used to remove the fibers from raw agave Aztecs and used white or French oak and casks! Sauza products, but not much more, or oxen into a tequila that can be used the. Five different types of agave and water precedes distillation all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world diluted... Stills used in a yeasty ( bready/sour ) aroma/taste.. not what you want tasting cocktails home...

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