This past Sunday, July 24, was celebrated as National Tequila Day in the United States. After the year that we have had so far, you can’t say that you blame anyone for wanting to take a few shots of something to steady themselves (responsibly, of course).
In celebration of the event, I’d like to share with you six interesting things about tequila that you probably did not know.
National Tequila Day 2022: Drink in some surprising facts
It’s from a plant (which means it’s healthy, right?)
Have no fear, gluten-free individuals! Tequila is an alcoholic beverage that can be consumed by you without any problems. Tequila is produced by fermenting the juice extracted from the blue agave plant, which contains a pia, or heart, that is named after the pineapple-like appearance of its centre.
After the pia has been collected, it is transported to a distillery where it is roasted in order to extract its juices. These juices are then fermented, distilled, and aged prior to being bottled..
Tequila is a type of mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila
Tequila is a type of mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s examine the situation more closely. Agave is used to produce both mezcal and tequila; however, the blue agave plant is required for the production of tequila. According to Food & Wine, there are more than 30 different types of agave that can be utilised in the production of mezcal. The flavour characteristics might vary slightly, with mezcal having a more smoky profile than other types of alcohol.
Tequila can only be produced in one particular region of Mexico.
Do you know that in order for Champagne to be considered authentic, it must be produced in the Champagne area of France? It’s the same deal with this one. Tequila must be produced in the state of Jalisco or in one of the states that border it in order to earn the right to bear the name “tequila.” However, the majority of tequila is produced in the state of Jalisco.
Tequila was born in, you guessed it, Tequila
Tequila was born in, you guessed it, Tequila
In addition, the city may be found in Jalisco. Before it became a common food item in Mexico, ancient Mexicans would ferment the juice of the blue agave plant there. This is the area where the famous beverage was first created. The town, which was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006, is still home to a significant number of distilleries.
If not for women, tequila may not even exist
Throughout Tequila’s history, the cultivation of the blue agave plants, also known as hijuelos, has traditionally been the responsibility of the town’s women (little children). When the plants begin to grow in February and continue through July, it is common to see women working in the fields.
Another celebrity joins the tequila club
It seems that many famous people are interested in purchasing tequila as an investment. In the beginning of 2022, Mark Wahlberg became a member of the team. In addition to being the actor’s preferred beverage, the actor has also made an investment in a brand of tequila known as Flecha Azul. The brand was established by Abraham Ancer, a Mexican professional golfer, and Aron Marquez, an entrepreneur.
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Pictured above is a shot of a cocktail made with Volcan de Mi Tierra tequila. (Photo taken by Ilya S. Savenok and provided by Getty Images for use on WARDROBE.NYC) This is an updated version of a story that was originally published in 2019 for the very first time.