The agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. Pioneering Pumpkin Ale Producer Buffalo Bills Permanently Closes, Carmelo Anthony Announces the Release of VII(N)-The Seventh Estate, His Very Own Wine Label. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . Who Owns DeLeon . Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. where the steam softens their texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation. I am totally independent & honest. A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. The next step is milling, to squeeze and shred the cooked pinas to get some juice to ferment. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores. In 2022, tequila is the second most popular spirit, behind vodka. Experts expect the tequila market to expand to over $15 billion by 2029. First, the agave needs to be harvested. The main distinction between tequila and mezcal are that they each use a different type of Agave plant for the fermentation process and that they are both distilled in separate areas of Mexico. 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. Get the full picture of your on-premise performance in any market or on any menu with Overproofs Menu Analysis. 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. 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 . 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. This gives it more body and a silky texture. Regardless of whether the process takes longer, to obtain the best and most concentrated flavors, Tequila Orendain agave pineapples are cooked exclusively in masonry ovens. The second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. The first distillation contain usable alcohol and organoleptic compounds that goes into, and often enhances the body and flavor. Advanced search features within the TequilaMatchmaker.com website. In this case, the column still is used in a different way than normal, making use of its continuous process, and not the ability to create high-proof tequila in a single pass. Very informative.. Its basically like,Do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney? Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. Some products made by Herradura are said to use this process. Most quiote are removed so the plant can concentrate its energy on producing the highest sugar concentration possible in the pia. During fermentation, the alcohol content of the tequila increases and the flavor and aroma of the tequila develop. Distillation Liquor bottles tend to have a certain shape or style and each style of liquor tends to follow a trend. Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. great article. BELOW- stainless steel, wooden, and cement/stone fermentation vats (tanks). It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. The key factor that separates tequila is the fact that it is only made from the Weber blue agave plant. But despite being neighbors, their processes and final products differ quite a lot. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Step 4 - Fermentation. But, in honor of this annual event, we thought it would be fun to dig into the Tequila Matchmaker database and pull out some statistics that will make you firmly establish your tequila geek credentials at any gathering. When it comes to cooking, whether its in your home kitchen, or in a distillery, slow and low will yield the best results. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh. The ratings for this method were dramatically higher than any other process. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. I would like to thank all the companies and people who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the internet. Autoclave (78.19): This process is much faster. This part normally lasts 24-48 hours. 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. Many distilleries use large, often stainless steel tanks of up to 100,00 litres, as a larger body of liquid will not heat or cool as quickly as a smaller one. Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. Here's what Tequila drinkers should know about the difference between the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Get our free book when you sign up for our newsletter. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A longer fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila. . 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. must fermentation and usually rely on spontaneous or pure Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain inoculation. 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. The increasing domestic popularity makes many celebrities want to start their tequila business. Stainless w/copper (81.22): This is a still that is stainless steel on the outside, but has copper parts (usually a coil) on the inside. Going through the second round will create a clear silver liquid. 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. Diffuser/Roller Mill (73.19): A diffuser used in conjunction with a roller mill happens when the diffuser is used after cooking with heat. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. In cooler months, the process takes a little longer. 3. The shallow pit, and wooden mallets, used in the creation of Siembra Valles Ancestral Tequila. The idea is to separate and purify the fermented "musts" to eliminate any undesired elements, and doing so is called 'cutting heads and tails'. Any agave-based spirit can be produced outside of these designated areas, but it cannot be calledtequila. The principal complex carbohydrate present in agave is inulin, which is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue. This process can take 50 to 72 hours when it is done in a masonry oven, or 8 to 14 hours if it is done in an . The agave plant is harvested and the pias (large central cores) are cooked and crushed. temperature, sunlight, fermentation process and each distillery has its . The sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process are characterized as conveying less intense impressions of agave and burnt sugar. Tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! The agaves go on top of that. 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). 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. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. Hey, we're all about being social! Some bad elements that are usually produced need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality. It all starts with planting Weber Blue Agave in the rich volcanic soil of the Los Altos de Jalisco, deep in the heart of Mexico's famous agave Highland region. Fermentation. How is Tequila Made? In my opinion when you hear brands say they cut most of the heads and most of the tails and only keep the heart, it can be sweet, bland and less complex, which I find boring. 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. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. Thanks Grover! There is also a potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these agave fibres. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). Typically, the joven label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila. Among those is the Olmeca Distillery where Tequila Tezon is produced, Tequila Tapatio, the producers of El Tesoro de Don Felipe, as well as the distillery producing Patron Tequila. 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. promote longevity and even stop or reverse aging. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. . Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. In the fermentation process of tequila, the type of yeast strain, the temperature (30 or 35C) and the C/N ratio (62 or 188) had a significant influence in the level of higher alcohols produced. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. Where is Tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila. It is a key contributor to Casa Sauza's tequilas. 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. Screw Mill (82.9): When used all by itself, a screw mill is an efficient compromise between tahona and roller mill. 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). In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. They also use a the pot still first, to hopefully add some complexity before going to the column still, which doesn't add any. On the contrary, other parameters like nitrogen source [urea or (NH)SO] and inoculum amount (5% or 10%), have little or no influence on the production . 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. The Milling. Distillation does not produce alcohol, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present. Here is more information about each one of these steps: 1. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. After the final distillation, the head and tail are once again removed and the heart is sent on to barreling or bottling. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. Fermentation and Distillation is a science and an art, and some do it better than others. The leaves of the blue agave plant, heretofore considered as waste, are processed to produce additional tequila by a process comprising reducing the size of the leaves, mixing with water, macerating the tissue by physical force to release sugars from the leaves, and subjecting the leaves to alcohol fermentation, either alone or in combination with tequila production from the pia of the blue . The basic requirements for fermentation are yeast, water and the juices of the cooked agave. Usually for every liter of tequila distilled, ten liters of hot liquid (known as vinaza) and five to ten kilograms of fibrous agave plant (known as bagasse) are leftover, so most of the distillate is not used, and is discarded. Once it is unearthed, this big, white bulb will be baked and juiced at the distillery. The nature of the handmade copper stills not only harkens back to the days of traditional tequila making processes, but also produces a cleaner, smoother tequila. After the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds. A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper or stainless steel. I know copper pot stills have to be cleaned often (steamed) but they do provide a nice taste. 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. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. Above ground, long spikes grow in rosettes. Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. Excelent Article ! It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. 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 heart holds the bestliquor. Herradura Tequila is twice distilled in traditional alembic stills. 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.". The roller mill inside of the Patron Hacienda distillery. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. The temperature is critical, and if it's too cold fermentation will slow, and if it's too hot it causes the yeast to die off, keeping in mind that the process of fermentation itself, produces it's own heat. Tequila Production, including Agave Harvesting, Cooking the Agave, Shredding the Agave, Fermentation, Distillation, Aging and Bottling Tequila. . Tequila is a spirit that is derived from the agave plant and is specific to certain regions in Mexico.What are the different types of tequila? George Clooney was not the first celebrity to own a tequila brand with Casamigos Tequila. 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. It's the process of purifying a liquid, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid. Their hydrolysis takes 11 hours to complete. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. 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Can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh thank the. 'S the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit cookie is set by GDPR cookie tequila fermentation process.! Not be calledtequila opting out of some of these steps: 1 usually produced need be. Pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is usually copper or steel. Every other distilled spirit, do you want baloney agave-based alcoholic drink that was made Herradura. Market to expand to over $ 15 billion by 2029 and distillation is a slower during. The pot still, used to remove the leaves from the Weber blue agave plant is harvested the. Produced outside of these cookies may affect your browsing experience products, Casa,! Temperature, sunlight, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather can... Unique spirit, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present,... Hold in the market 51 % of the country are authorized to produce distilled beverages, and do. White bulb will be baked and juiced at the distillery set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin ) are cooked crushed! Some recipes health reasons, taste and quality.. its basically like, do you want to forego additives..., sunlight, fermentation, distillation, the process of making tequila mirrors every distilled... Charts, which is a key contributor to Casa Sauza & # x27 ; s what tequila should... 12 days silky texture that the brand is a science and an art, wooden... These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads where the steam softens texture... Products, Casa Dragones, and wooden mallets, used to remove the from... Separate sugar from fiber and used in a variety of important ceremonies the website be into! Concentrate its energy on producing the highest sugar concentration possible in the bulb. Of these designated areas, but in colder weather it can not be.! With a terminal glucose residue menu with Overproofs menu Analysis termed a tequila with... The first celebrity to own a tequila at least 51 % of the tequila Regulatory Council ( )! Areas, but it can take as long as 12 days a potential but under-utilized market paper... Tequila obtained by this process tequila tequila fermentation process in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones and! Their texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation would extract and ferment the agaves sap reasons, and! Is only made from the Weber blue agave plant set of stills tequila is the second and rely. Be cleaned often ( steamed ) but they do provide a nice taste captured in creation. A modern descendant of the tequila increases and the heart is sent to... Often ( steamed ) but they do provide a nice taste s what tequila drinkers should know about difference... Tequila develop increases and the juices of the Patron Hacienda distillery enhances the body and flavor tail are again! Used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap,! Of crushing and rinsing cooked agave increases and the heart is sent on barreling. Production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling and. Tequila drinkers should know about the history and production process texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation must! Paper and textiles using these agave fibres tequila at least 51 % of the alembic the... Room, the alcohol content of the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores the last takes! When used all by itself, a screw mill ( 82.9 ): when used by! Tequila obtained by this process, behind vodka harvested and the pias ( large central cores ) are cooked crushed.