Agave looks somewhat like a cactus, but is actually a succulent plant related to lilies that reproduces by shoots. There are around 135 different identified varieties in Mexico. The Agave crops are cultivated in fields and don’t need to be irrigated: watering them would produce larger plants, but not a higher overall sugar content in…
Agave
Agave Syrup
Agave Syrup is usually marketed as agave “nectar.” It is made from aguamiel — the juice extracted from the pina of agave plants. It is a thickish syrup, though thinner than honey, and not as sweet as honey. It will be about 25 % water. It is best made from older plants, at least eight…
Aguamiel
Aguamiel is the sweet juice or sap from an agave plant. It is procured from many different varieties of agave plant, though not all yield a juice that is worth getting. Aguamiel can be obtained in two ways: by harvesting the centre cone (“piña”) of the plant, and then baking, in order to increase the…
Mezcal
Mezcal is a spirit alcohol made in Mexico from agave plant hearts, known as “piñas.” In North America, owing to NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), a product cannot be called Mezcal unless it is made in Mexico. Tequila is a type of Mezcal, though most Mezcals tend to have a smokier taste, because instead…
Tequila
Tequila is, broadly classified, a mezcal. The name Tequila was only applied in the late-1800s to distinguish it from other mezcals. Unlike other mezcals, tequila is made only from one kind of agave plant, the blue agave (aka tequilana weber azul.) It is a strong, clear alcohol. Some bottles are sold with a worm in…