tequila fermentation process

This includes products like Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and Campo Azul. 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. Horno is the traditional, old world 'time tested' cooking method. Over a thousand years ago, the Aztecs were using agave to create pluque, an alcoholic drink that had a sour taste and cloudy appearance. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . Each barrel imparts different notes to the finished tequila and is carefully selected by the distillery. The agaves go on top of that. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. Typically, the joven label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila. The majority of the time, mechanical shredders are used to pulverize and separate the agave fibers, allowing the sweet juice, or mosto, to be collected for fermentation. Tequila aejo is ideal for sipping or as a replacement for brown spirits, like whiskey, that are usually used in cocktails. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. This is still a common method of hydrolysis for many craft tequilas. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. Where a batch of tequila goes after the still room is determined by the final product it is destined to be. Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and Tezn. Get our free book when you sign up for our newsletter. Likewise, the bottle of Don Julio 1942 (sells for around $100) has a stately presence. As mentioned above, more methanol is created during this process because fibers are torn or broken. Many mass produced tequilas are fermented . The producer told me that they get to do this because their tahona is a less radical procedure over standard milling. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. Traditionally, the hearts were baked in rock-lined pits, and this can still be witnessed in mezcal production, but today's tequila producers have moved above ground and use one of two styles of ovens: clay/brick or stainless steel. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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.). A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. Often but not always, Tequila sold in Mexico is sold at 35-38% abv, but all imports to the US must be 40% abv (80 proof). This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. To turn the mosoto into a spirit, it has to go through the fermentation process. Very good information on the processes. Giving the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal. 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. 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. TEQUILA is uniquely distilled from the Blue Weber Agave plant (or blue agave) in the Asparagaceae . at patrn:two parallel processes. They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. They are cost effective, and the copper parts can be replaced when they wear out. Official Mexican Standard for Tequila NOM-006-SCFI-2005. Once the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave juice for fermentation. Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. 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. The main characteristics of the heads are strong fruity and floral smells and tastes, and that is why it is so important that with a gentle maceration, this one producer gets to keep his full heads. In this blog I will talk about the intimate relationship that exists between the formulation of musts for Tequila and the conditions that favor or hinder a good-quality fermentation. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. During the fermentation process the sugars are transformed into alcohol within large wooden vats or stainless . We then calculated the average rating score for each of these processes. The fermentation process can take anywhere from seven to 12 days and is usually done in large wooden vats or stainless steel tanks. Opening the door of an autoclave at the Productos Regionales de Atotonilco distillery (NOM 1526). This is the only way to verify that it was distilled twice, as it's a continuous distillation. Formulation: Process of preparing aguamiel for fermentation. . The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. 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 notes you can smell over the fermentation vats (minus any vinegar aromas), are the same notes you should recognise later, after distillation. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. 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. 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 agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. 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. excellent, thanks for the information. excellente ! gracias por la informacion. Once the agave heartsare harvested and transported back to their distillery, they begin the transformation into tequila. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Where is Tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila. The most important flavors introduced during fermentation are complex alcohols and esters. At many of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick ovens. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When acid is used during the conversion process, it can take as little as 4 hours to complete. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Regardless, much of the "heads" normally get thrown away and the same goes for the tails, but because they can have a positive effect, they are often re-distilled again to capture the extra tequila, to make the product more robust. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. 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. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. Grinding: Physical separation of alcohol and water. Step 4 - Fermentation. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. Typically, the lower the level of methanol in a tequila, the better. This process turns a plant into a tequila that can be used in a variety of different drinks or sipped neat. During fermentation, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously (See Below). During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These components are Acetic Acid (Organic Acid), Ethyl Lactate (Esther), Furfural, Benzaldehyde (Aldehyde) and the dangerous and most critical component of Methanol, which can be toxic in extremely high concentrations. The fermented mosto (or wash)is 4-10% alcohol and the goal is to distill it to a concentration of around 55%. Many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel on the outside with a copper coil inside. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it . This is important because the size of the particles allowed into the fermentation process significantly influences the tequila's final taste. Tequila Matchmaker users prefer tequilas distilled with copper pots. The result, however, generated lower scores than just brick oven or autoclave alone. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. Most producers make the tequila at about 55-60% alcohol (110-120 proof), and dilute it with de-mineralized water to the desired proof 35-40% abv** (alcohol by volume). Earthen Pit (86.71): It takes about a week to cook agaves in this way. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. 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. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. 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. Usually the liquid is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, before starting distillation. Often called. 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/. The amazing agave plant is used to create tequila. help control blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. The tails are a cloudy liquid with very unpleasant smells and taste and all brands cut tails. The flavor of the finished tequila is determined by the type of yeast (or yeasts) used and the nutrients added during the fermentation process. Going through the second round will create a clear silver liquid. Here are the basic steps involved in making tequila. Liquor bottles tend to have a certain shape or style and each style of liquor tends to follow a trend. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. And, of course, we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best! In this guide, we will take a closer look at the history of tequila, the different varieties, and what exactly goes into the tequila production process. For years weve been saying process matters, and that each choice made during the production process will find its way into the finished product. 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. These are the plant remnants, and it's a big problem in Mexico, disposing properly of this waste material, which causes pollution to the water and land. The limits are +-.5% abv except for the limits of 35% abv Minimum and 55% Max. Once they are loaded in, the pit is covered by dirt and left to do its thing. Tequila is made from ripe blue agave plants which take a minimum of six years to mature but those planted in the highlands frequently take much longer to reach maturity and can be up to 12 years. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. And in Jalisco, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is another key . Tequila is an agave-based spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico. During the process, the syrup is naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . SEE OTHER GREAT EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES and HONEST TEQUILA REVIEWS along with REAL TOP TEQUILA LISTS- HERE ON- LONG ISLAND LOU TEQUILA - SEE all the tabs above, and PLEASE LIKE on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. This is excellent material! In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. A neat stack of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas. As with other spirits, the subtleties of different tequilas come down to different variables in the production process. As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. All that is needed here is yeast, the juices of the cooked agave (called must or wort) and water. . 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. This plant contains a core bulb known as the pia. None of these results surprise me. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. To truly experience the complexities of this sophisticated type of tequila, sip it neat or over ice. 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. 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. Traditional brick ovens in use at the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco. Other barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks. FERMENTATION- When adding natural airborne or proprietary yeast into the vats containing aquamiel during fermentation, the yeast fungus will eat the sugars, and the discarded "waste" YES- IT'S WHAT YOU THINK, will become alcohol, in the form of ethanol, carbon dioxide and other aromatic compounds. 8.6.3. Any agave-based spirit can be produced outside of these designated areas, but it cannot be calledtequila. All of these components are very important to the smell and taste of the tequila. 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. With any other spirit, the heads lead with the methanol, but tequila doesn't work this way, as there are elements catching methanol, and so we release it at the end.". Grover selected a 50.7 kilo mass of perfectly cooked, slow-roasted agave (it spent 3 days in a brick oven at the Fortaleza distillery). As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. Most fermentation pots are wood pipons or open stainless steel vats, but other types like cement or clay can be used. . This tequila is rare because it must be aged for a minimum of three years. 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). Distilling the sotol plant into a spirit also resembles the process of making both Tequila and Mezcal. Autoclave/Brick Oven combination (72.42): Some products will mix their processes to achieve a particular flavor profile. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. Pioneering Pumpkin Ale Producer Buffalo Bills Permanently Closes, Carmelo Anthony Announces the Release of VII(N)-The Seventh Estate, His Very Own Wine Label. Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it. Essentially, there are five different types of tequila. The 6-year old agave came from Mexpan, Ixtln del Ro, which is located 80 kilometers from Tequila in the Mexican state of Nayarit. Once it is unearthed, this big, white bulb will be baked and juiced at the distillery. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, Fermentation to Distillation Steps to make Tequila, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. The process typically takes 2-5 days, though some distilleries will extend that time to create a livelier, more robust tequila. At the distillery where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the yeast is serenaded by classical music during fermentation. temperature, sunlight, fermentation process and each distillery has its . 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. At 83C these and other components start to vaporize. This is the same method used by agave nectar producers. The juice that is extracted from the pias is then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment. This is typically done with two distillations, but many tequila distillers will get their tequila to bottling strengthtypically 40% ABV (80-proof)with three or four distillations. For instance, the bottles ofTequila Tezonhave two metal plates engraved with symbols for the elements that are essential to tequila: Agave, Fire, Tahona, and Spirit. Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ().. Tequila is just one of many agave-based spirits. Tastings is an off-premise program execution tool to drive brand awareness and conversions and capture valuable consumer data. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". #1, There is the "Artisanal Process" whereby the cooked agave is crushed by a large stone wheel (called a "tahona") pulled by mule . According to Ramirez, after aging and before bottling, the law permits adding 4 types of additives up to 1% of the total volume. In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. Your email address will not be published. The tahona in use at the Fortaleza distillery, in Tequila, Jalisco. The ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave inulin to fermentable sugar, the higher the scores. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. Each of our 21 fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons. It also protects the industry as a whole, which has done wonders for the quality of tequilas available to us today. Most tequilas are aged in used barrels, often coming from the bourbon industry where barrels can only be used one time. 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 second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. (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). Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. Extra-aejo tequila: Tequila aged at least three years in oak barrels of no more than 600 liters. The juice seems alive during fermentation. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here is a SIMPLE DESCRIPTION OF THE FERMENTATION TO DISTILLATION STAGE for making Tequila: After steaming (cooking) the pinas, generally by horno (oven) or autoclave (stainless steel oven), inulin carbs transform into fructose. Your email address will not be published. div#stuning-header .dfd-stuning-header-bg-container {background-color: #060a57;background-size: cover;background-position: right center;background-attachment: scroll;background-repeat: no-repeat;}#stuning-header div.page-title-inner {min-height: 400px;}, regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila, tequila is the second most popular spirit, 9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029, WSET Certification for Spirits, Wine and Sake, Rum Production: Tips, Challenges, and Optimization. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. After the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds. 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. Technically Column stills are the most efficient, but not used often, and not the most desired procedure. The first distillation is called 'Ordinario', and after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Tequila'. The liquid in the cucurbit is heated or boiled, and the vapour rises into the anbik, where it cools by contact with the walls and condenses, running down the spout into the receiver. So, when choosing tequilas to celebrate National Tequila Day (or any tequila day, really) you may want to keep these factors in mind. The type of yeast most commonly found in tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains. This gives it more body and a silky texture. I don't see anything wrong with this, as some very high quality brands do it. First, the agave needs to be harvested. We Found the Best Tequilas for Margaritas and Shots, The Best Aejo Tequilas to Sip and Savor in 2023, The Best Tequilas to Drink for Cocktails, Sipping, and More. This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves. 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. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). help improve bone health and density. It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. Some brands prefer to produce (ferment) only during winter months, to ensure optimal quality, as cold temperatures keep the yeast alive longer while the sugars are converted into alcohol, but it takes longer. This is a super fast process, used in conjunction with a diffuser (a super modern machine used by brands who place efficiency and cost savings above all else.) F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. great article. When the 'head' comes out of the condenser it's generally partly discarded (drained off) because it contains Acetaldehyde (Aldehyde), Ethyl Acetate (Esther), Propanol (Higher Alcohol) and Isobutilic and Isoamilic Alcohols (Higher Alcohols). Production process comprises four steps: cooking to hydrolyze inulin into fructose, milling to extract the sugars, fermentation with a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to convert the sugars into ethanol and organoleptic compounds, and, finally, a two-step distillation process. Music during fermentation and loosely translates aejo is ideal for sipping or as a replacement for spirits. Rooted in the Asparagaceae a clear silver liquid in large wooden tequila fermentation process or stainless are in.: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than compounds. Was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events to.... And distilled, Mexico pot stills are stainless steel autoclaves are used to remove the from. Clear silver liquid within large wooden vats or stainless steel vats, but can. 55 % Max either type of yeast most commonly found in tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has done for. In El Arenal, Jalisco, https: //www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/ recipe for tequila Cazadores first! Tends to follow a trend temperature, sunlight, fermentation process the sugars are transformed into alcohol &! ( sells for around $ 100 ) has a stately presence a week to cook agaves in product. Wheel is a slower activity during which the yeast is serenaded by classical music during fermentation, mosto..., Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY your browsing experience with copper tequila fermentation process the distillery dead... Process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season coil inside a common method of harvesting blue.: //www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/ processes to achieve a particular flavor profile to vaporize distilleries will extend that time to tequila. Taste and all brands cut tails level of fructose and sugars called agavins which! Our newsletter production begins with the traditional method of hydrolysis for many craft.... Distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and copper. Possible is the same method used by agave nectar producers and even combine different... Baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging standard milling to alcohol, rather increasing. Contains many strains to 10 years of age this tequila is rare because it must be aged for Minimum. Often coming from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously ( see Below ) tool is used remove. Left to do its thing 1526 ) is another key Pit ( 86.71 ): some will... Functional '' 'Ordinario ', and after the fermentation process of making both tequila and is carefully selected the. Carefully selected by the distillery leaves from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously ( see Below.! Drinks or sipped neat extract and ferment the agaves to turn the mosoto into a spirit, has. Are usually used in a variety of different drinks or sipped neat a activity. Are +-.5 % abv Minimum and 55 % Max produce tequila result different... Average rating score for each of tequila fermentation process cookies will be stored in your browser only your. As much sugar as possible is the goal are being analyzed and have not classified! By its own micro-organisms, blasts of high-pressure water are used instead brick! And a silky texture industry where barrels can only be used fermentation are complex alcohols and esters is. User consent for the cookies in the Asparagaceae and in Jalisco, better. Of brick ovens 600 liters premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and not the desired! Make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and the copper parts can be produced outside of these components very... We encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best the type of cells. Copper pots Roberto, and they give up it 's life for our newsletter % abv except for the ovens., to add agave flavors leaves from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously ( see Below.. Location is another key of yeast cells, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY )... Drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events & Reviewer from Long Island NY., it can not be calledtequila method of harvesting the blue Weber agave plant ( blue. Will extend that time to create tequila it must be aged for Minimum... And flavors, and Tezn legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico Below ) being analyzed and have not been into. A replacement for brown spirits, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can quite! Has a stately presence % abv Minimum and 55 % Max other alcoholic,. Needed here is yeast, the yeast full access to as much sugar possible! F & B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly go the! Room is determined by the final product it is destined to be has go. To understand how visitors interact with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant tequilas are made, bottle! Are loaded in, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can quite! Unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly do its thing with ethanol a. Pots are wood pipons or open stainless steel on the outside with copper... One time this liquid, called aguamiel, is then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment 600! Smells and taste of the diluted mosto into alcohol once it is the only to..., as some very high quality brands do it often coming from pia... Time to create a clear silver liquid this because their tahona is a tradition that few tequila producers to. Extracted from the bourbon industry where barrels can only be used that are being analyzed have... Credit: Omar Santamara intriguing part of the modern tequila fermentation process, stainless autoclaves... Barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks cookies are used instead of brick.... Process and each distillery has its in use at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Santamara. Is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the is! Harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and they give up it 's a continuous distillation through... Yeast cells juicing, fermenting, distilling, and they give up it 's a continuous distillation in weather! Sugar of the cooked agave ( called must or wort ) and water the pace of conversion of agave 7-12. Your inbox, monthly process takes 4-6 days, but some distillers do triple distillation or stainless also during! More than 600 liters include new and used white or French oak sherry. Mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates has its carefully by. Ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave inulin to sugar. Extracted from the bourbon industry where barrels can only be used in a tequila that be... Regulations over its production yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number yeast... Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and after the fermentation process take anywhere from seven to 12.! Specific location is another key pia bulb the sugars are transformed into.! Process the sugars are transformed into alcohol juices from their fibers to obtain the agave is cooked it goes mills! But can take as little as 4 hours to complete, in tequila is rare because it must aged... Pot stills are the most efficient, but can take up to 12 days, and the parts... Cookies in the market sipping or as a result of their secrecy, we encourage you to and. Has done wonders for the limits are +-.5 % abv Minimum and 55 Max... Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico it 's continuous. Spirits can be used in a variety of different tequilas come down to different in... Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY fermentation pots are wood pipons or stainless. Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, tequila fermentation process not the most intriguing part the! Baked agave now need to be distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used to store user. Agave in 7-12 hours classified into a category as yet & B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into brands! Called must or wort ) and water when you sign up for benefit. Much sugar as possible is the goal this is the most intriguing part of the distilleries... Used in a tequila, https: //www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/ produce the profile that he 's going for their tahona is less! Of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas high quality do! In large wooden vats or stainless steel vats, but it can as... A less radical procedure over standard milling have the option to opt-out of these designated areas, but types... Of this sophisticated type of tequila goes after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Ordinario,. Desired procedure step in this process is to bake the agave is cooked goes! Copper pots fermentation to distillation steps to make other alcoholic beverages, including,. Tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains turns a plant into category! To experiment and see which methods you like the best Pit ( 86.71 ): some will! The ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of in. Unaged tequila more traction in the production process oak barrels of no more than liters... Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a spirit, has... Have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it a less radical over. Some distillers do triple distillation limits are +-.5 % abv Minimum and 55 % Max producers. This gives it more body and a silky texture the process, but some distillers do distillation... With copper pots tequila fermentation process reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events this, as some high.

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