how to grow agave for tequila

Plant your blue agave in well-draining soil that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. While this plant is not fussy about soil conditions, it cannot tolerate wet feet. Pick a high spot in the landscape to keep the plant out of cool air that accumulates in low areas.

How long does it take to grow agave for tequila?

Agave is the plant from which tequila is made. Growing agave for tequila takes around 7 years for the plant to reach maturity for harvest.

Is it illegal to grow agave?

The hold up is two-fold: Not only is it illegal for potential distillers to harvest wild agaves from public lands, few farmers have been interested in growing them without an established market. In addition, distillers have been slow to invest in the equipment needed to process the unwieldy, fibrous piñas.

Can you make tequila from any agave plant?

Tequila can only be made from the blue agave, or agave tequilana, but mezcal can be made from over 30 varieties of agave (AKA maguey).

How many agave plants does it take to make a bottle of tequila?

It takes a little more than 11 pounds of agave to make a bottle of tequila. Today, the average blue agave plant, the kind required to make tequila, weighs in at about 110 pounds or more.

Why is there a worm in tequila?

Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

Is Blue Agave better than honey?

Honey is the clear winner. But both honey and agave nectar are caloric sweeteners and offer little added nutritional value. Honey is better than agave nectar because it is: higher in antioxidants.

Where can agave be grown?

Agaves grow best in the Southwest and Mediterranean climates, but are adaptable and can also be grown out of their zones in pots if given winter protection.

Is there any tequila made in USA?

Over the last several years a handful of distilleries have begun releasing agave spirits made stateside, in America. The resulting juice can't be called tequila for legal reasons, much like blue agave spirits made in Mexico outside the designated region.

What part of agave is used for tequila?

Recipes and more delivered to your inbox! The pina is the part of the blue agave used to make tequila. The pina -- protected by tall, spiny leaves -- is the heart of the blue agave plant. A mature pina, once the leaves are removed, can weigh anywhere between 80-200 pounds.

What brand of tequila is 100 percent agave?

Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Anejo

From the highlands of Jalisco comes this premium line of tequila, from 100% estate-grown agaves.

How can you tell if tequila is 100 agave?

100 Percent Agave

The front label will also state what percent of the tequila is made from agave. Look for either “100 percent blue Weber agave” or “100 percent agave.” If it doesn't say that, then the tequila is most likely a mixto.

Is tequila a vodka?

There are some major differences between tequila and vodka, though they are both distilled spirits: Tequila is made from the blue agave plant and vodka is made from a starch or sugar rich plant. Tequila is distilled into five different types, while vodka only has one form.

How long do agave plants live?

There are over 250 agave species and most flower towards the end of their life and then die. Actually, the length of time an agave lives is largely dependent on the species. In my experience in the managed landscapes, most agave live approximately 5 – 15 years, once planted from a 5-gallon container.

Can I make tequila at home?

(Disclaimer: Anything we make at home cannot legally be called “tequila” because it is not made under the supervision of the CRT. Although we're using the same type of agave, producing within the denomination of origin, and following the same process as tequila, we are technically making an “agave spirit.”)

How much does an agave plant cost?

According to an industry survey by Taste Tequila, the plant can cost as much as 25 pesos ($1.31) per kilogram, up from 2 pesos (10 cents) in 2012. In Jalisco, Mexico, ground zero for growing agave, farmers are struggling to keep up.

Do they still put worms in tequila?

Contrary to the popular belief, tequila doesn't actually contain the worm. ... Today, tequila does not contain a worm in the bottle (in fact, the Mexican Standards authority prohibits it). But if you do find a bottle, they're usually in lower-ended mezcal.

Are there worms in tequila?

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So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. According to Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant.

Is the tequila worm safe to eat?

Most people would not eat the mezcal worm, but in some cultures it is quite acceptable. There are no proven side effects that come with consuming a Tequila worm. ... The meriposa worm is grown on agave from which mezcal is made, and when a worm is added to the mezcal, it is known as mezcal con gusano.

Why is agave bad for you?

Your body is well equipped to handle the small amounts of fructose found in fruit. Because agave syrup is much higher in fructose than plain sugar, it has greater potential to cause adverse health effects, such as increased belly fat and fatty liver disease.

What is the healthiest sugar substitute?

Stevia is probably the healthiest option, followed by xylitol, erythritol, and yacon syrup. Natural sugars like maple syrup, molasses, and honey are less harmful than regular sugar and even have health benefits. Yet, they should still be used sparingly.

Is agave anti inflammatory?

Agave is an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

The juice and sap of the Agave plant can be applied to wounds as an anti-inflammatory, and the active agents in the juice can also have pain-relieving properties, which makes treating wounds with this plant-based medicine a two-fold win.