Tequila from Mexico
How to recognize High Quality Tequila
High Quality Tequila: Recommendations from Mexico
High Quality Tequila: Don Julio
Agave fields in Jalisco: Tequila from Mexico
This statement comes from Don Julio, one of Mexico’s most successful businessmen. But who is Don Julio? In 1942, a 17-year-old teenager founded the first luxury tequila in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Don Julio Gonzalez had the financial responsibility for his family already as a teenager and saw his only chance in the Tequila production. He passionately convinced a local businessman to support his vision of a luxury tequila. The popular drink of Mexico was until then only mass production. To pay attention to quality was new. So Don Julio revolutionized tequila production and specialized in high-end tequila.
The Blue Agave – Quality of a good Tequila
Blue Agave: Good Tequila from Mexico
Traditional tequila manufacturers cannot and will not wait that long. They harvest the agave plants after only two to three years and add sugar and ethanol during the production process. If you want to buy a high-quality tequila, pay attention to the sign 100% agave on a bottle. The used agave has already matured and the tequila contains no additives.
Don Julio paid special attention to the quality of the agave. Only fully mature plants were harvested. After the harvest, the leaves are cut off, leaving a fruit in the form of an oversized pineapple. The fruits are roasted slowly for 72 hours, which makes the tequila gentle and tasty.
Recognize the best Tequila brands
Blue Agave, aged: The best Tequila brands
However, the proportion of agave sugar must always be above 51%. Then, the most waits in huge barrels to develop already 5-7% alcohol. Thereafter, the tequila is distilled twice. The result is a clear tequila, the so-called silver tequila.
High Quality Tequila ages in oak barrels
Good Tequila from Mexico: Aged in oak barrels
However, high quality tequila matures in oak barrels. For this purpose, whiskey barrels from the USA are bought, cleaned and filled with the silver tequila. Depending on the length of the maturity, the tequila assumes a brownish color. A slightly tanned Tequila is called Reposado, longer matured Tequila is called Anejo (aged). The longer Tequila stays in the barrels, the gentler but more intense is the taste.
If you want to taste the differences of the individual tequilas, you can do a tequila tasting in Mexico. This is offered in tourist areas on almost every corner. Even though there is usually a sales show behind, a tequila tasting is an interesting experience.
Tequila with worm: Does it exist?
There is no Tequila with worms inside, but Mezcal
Today, this is hardly done anymore, but in the past it was a clear quality feature (if the alcohol does not decompose the worm, it cannot harm the stomach). In addition, the Mexican enjoys the Mezcal with ground worms and salt. SALUT!
- 100% Agave: Tequila can only be made without additives from fully mature agaves.
- No blisters: Good tequila should not blister when shaken. Bubbles are a sign that extra sugar has been used in the manufacturing process.
- Jimador: That’s what the Mexican tequila experts call themselves. They harvest the agave by hand and decide when the plant is ready for harvest.
- Slow cooking: After the leaves have been cut off, the fruits are quartered and cooked slowly. This process takes three days.
- Aged tequila (anejo): Tequila matures in oak barrels for a special taste experience.
Mexican Cocktails with good Tequila
The Mexican classic with Tequila: Margarita
Margarita with good Tequila
3 cl Cointreau
4 cl Tequila
Lime and Salt
Paloma with good Tequila, lime and salt
2 cl lime juice
Some salt
grape fruit juice
Well known in the world: Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise: Good Tequila with orange juice and grenadine
9 cl orange juice
1,5 cl Grenadine
Summary
- 100% Agave: Tequila can only be made without additives from fully mature agaves.
- No blisters: Good tequila should not blister when shaken. Bubbles are a sign that extra sugar has been used in the manufacturing process.
- Jimador: That’s what the Mexican tequila experts call themselves. They harvest the agave by hand and decide when the plant is ready for harvest.
- Slow cooking: After the leaves have been cut off, the fruits are quartered and cooked slowly. This process takes three days.
- Aged tequila (anejo): Tequila matures in oak barrels for a special taste experience.
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Hello, my name is Birgit and I write about interesting topics around vacations in Mexico and traveling on the Yucatan peninsula. I would love to hear from you and I am always happy to receive ideas and recommendations for new articles.
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