Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, Fermentation to Distillation Steps to make Tequila, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. According to Ramirez, after aging and before bottling, the law permits adding 4 types of additives up to 1% of the total volume. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. 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. For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. excellente ! Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. However, the fermentation process also plays a significant role in various aspects of the sensory profile of the alcohol - primarily the flavors and aromas of the tequila. A longer fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila. They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. 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. Another example is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes. Fermentation tanks. Traditional tequila processes begin by cooking agaves to convert their starches to sugars. Stainless steel pot stills that have copper coils on the inside, at the Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. (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). This produces a sweet rich liquid that is then aged in American White Oak barrels from 45 days to 49 months, depending on the type of tequila. There is nothing too interesting in this mechanized process, but the tequila bottles themselves can be quite interesting. The Debate About Tequila's Safety. Diffuser/Roller Mill (73.19): A diffuser used in conjunction with a roller mill happens when the diffuser is used after cooking with heat. Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. Who Owns DeLeon . 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). Autoclave (78.19): This process is much faster. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. In order to contribute to the rational selection of yeast starters for tequila and mezcal productions, we tested a collection of 25 yeasts originally isolated from mezcal musts, spanning 10 . Fermentation. Active dry yeast is a type of single-celled organism that is able to convert sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide, and it is an important part of the fermentation process. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How is Tequila Made? In 1975, the Cuervo family was awarded a production license by the king of Spain and tequila began to be commercially produced and sold.Where is tequila mainly produced? That is why blanco tequilas are crystal clear (they do not touch wood), reposado tequilas have a golden color, and aejo tequilas get an amber hue. Want to know more? 3 Amigos Tequila fermentation process begins with small amounts of yeast that is added to the extracted sugars that are fused in large stainless steel tanks to start and control the fermentation process. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. In 1521, the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico and were soon looking for an alternative alcoholic beverage after going through their supply of brandy. Extraction. The idea is to separate and purify the fermented "musts" to eliminate any undesired elements, and doing so is called 'cutting heads and tails'. 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. Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh. Here are the basic steps involved in making tequila. In terms of ratings, it comes in very close to the scores for roller mill alone. During fermentation, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously (See Below). Your email address will not be published. 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. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. The red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile. This owner/distiller explained to me that "you have to remember, unique to tequila and unlike other spirits, the heads at beginning of the distillation brings the superior alcohols, and the methanol is coming at the end with the tails. Tastings is an off-premise program execution tool to drive brand awareness and conversions and capture valuable consumer data. Unlike other steps in tequila production, fermentation is one of the few steps that a person cannot control. 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). We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. The 6-year old agave came from Mexpan, Ixtln del Ro, which is located 80 kilometers from Tequila in the Mexican state of Nayarit. It's the process of purifying a liquid, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid. And in Jalisco, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is another key . Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. . F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank you. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The second part is anaerobic, where no oxygen is present. Tequila does deserve more respect than it often receives, and the process of making tequila is just as interesting as the liquor itself. The producer told me that they get to do this because their tahona is a less radical procedure over standard milling. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. It is one of the signatures in making Tequila Tezon. The fermentation process creates a sweet, low-alcohol liquid known as "mosto." May involve dilution, the addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or yeast. 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. Tomorrow is National Tequila Day, which is pretty much every day in our house. The juice that is extracted from the pias is then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment. They are then crushed and shredded to release their juices. This takes a long time, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly. Where is Tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila. This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves. Step 4 - Fermentation. Diffuser (67.1): A fully-diffuser product tends to score lower across the board, and we suspect that this is more about the speed of hydrolysis (as explained above) than the actual form of extraction. The global tequila market was $9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029. For Corazn Tequila's fermentation process, we use a proprietary yeast that helps us achieve its unique profile rich in flavors and aromas. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". By law, tequila must have two distillations. Keeping the yeast "happy" is key. Harvest the agave. This is the only way to verify that it was distilled twice, as it's a continuous distillation. It is also important to understand that, just as with whiskey and rum, the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor. 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. Herradura uses a 100% natural fermentation process. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. 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. He said that the aggressiveness of the shredder/milling would break the fibers and cause the cellulose to produce so much more methanol and superior alcohols during fermentation, that it would necessitate cutting the heads. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. This single step does not consign one to a bad 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? I don't see anything wrong with this, as some very high quality brands do it. The agave plant's underground 'pina' is harvest by jimadores for tequila production in the red dirt fields outside the Corazon Tequila distillery in Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. Typically, the joven label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The first distillation is called 'Ordinario', and after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Tequila'. . I say we owe the yeast a big 'Thank You'. Keep in mind that this is NOT normally the case, and a vast majority of brands cut the heads, which are generally trimmed away and removed. Fermentation and Distillation is a science and an art, and some do it better than others. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Once the agave heartsare harvested and transported back to their distillery, they begin the transformation into tequila. Today, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico. For those who enjoy a margarita, a blanco tequila is usually the way to go. Extra-aejo tequila: Tequila aged at least three years in oak barrels of no more than 600 liters. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. It is distilled, manufactured, bottled, sold, and distributed by Tequila Don Julio, S.A. de C.V. from its corporate facility in the Colonia El Chichimeco district, in the city of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. 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. 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. It is in the still room where tequila becomes tequila. Very good information on the processes. True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. 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.). Column (68.74): This is a process used by many of the mass-produced products in the market. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it . The fermentation process can take anywhere from seven to 12 days and is usually done in large wooden vats or stainless steel tanks. 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 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). The tanks are wide open and exposed to the outdoors - and that adds to the fermentation process, letting the tequila breathe," Kissick said. This is excellent material! Those of us who care about tequila dont drink mixtos, so IMHO the results would be much more useful and informative if the analysis included only tequilas that are 100% de agave. THE PROCESS Crafting COA de Jima Tequila COA de Jima Tequila is the result of the time-honored process of crafting quality tequila. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it is a vital step. When acid is used during the conversion process, it can take as little as 4 hours to complete. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. 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 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. 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. Their hydrolysis takes 11 hours to complete. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. Tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look. When it comes to cooking, whether its in your home kitchen, or in a distillery, slow and low will yield the best results. Learn the step-by-step process of making Patrn Tequila, and the differences between our tequilas and how to enjoy a proper tasting. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. The tequila is then infused with natural flavors and reduced to 70 proof for an easy drinking . Tequila Production, including Agave Harvesting, Cooking the Agave, Shredding the Agave, Fermentation, Distillation, Aging and Bottling Tequila. 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. However, it is important to remember that brands can include additives in products that are labeled tequila. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. Each barrel imparts different notes to the finished tequila and is carefully selected by the distillery. Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it. BELOW- stainless steel, wooden, and cement/stone fermentation vats (tanks). On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. How the sugars are extracted from the fibers is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila. In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila to the Cuervo family. Read our. Tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation phase of the process. 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. Going through the second round will create a clear silver liquid. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. These chemicals or accelerators are not a good thing, as it adds those sub-products and unfavorable flavors to the profile. The limits are +-.5% abv except for the limits of 35% abv Minimum and 55% Max. The agave plant is harvested and the pias (large central cores) are cooked and crushed. The agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. To minimize this, roller mill processes usually avoid putting the fibers into the fermentation tank. Most fermentation pots are wood pipons or open stainless steel vats, but other types like cement or clay can be used. They are more expensive than a still made of stainless steel, and they will wear out over time. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. 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. Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ().. I am totally independent & honest. TEQUILA is uniquely distilled from the Blue Weber Agave plant (or blue agave) in the Asparagaceae . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . The fermentation process follows. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. Many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel on the outside with a copper coil inside. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. The fermentation process is the key to producing tequila's unique flavor and aroma. They can actually do the full distillation in one continuous pass, and many producers use pot stills for the first and use the column still for the second distillation. The production of tequila is divided into seven steps: harvesting, cooking, fermentation, distillation, aging and bottling. Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. Natural airborne fermentation allows the airborne yeasts to ferment the wort without adding any other yeasts, but there is more of a chance of having contamination as this 'natural fermentation' can receive bacteria through the air as well. the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor, Official Mexican Standard for Tequila NOM-006-SCFI-2005, Tequila: Other sugars and enhancements can be blended with the Weber blue agave musto prior to fermentation. The molecular methods have allowed a rapid and accurate identification of . When the inulin is degraded by Many mass produced tequilas are fermented . This central bulb of the plant is also known as the pia and contains the natural sugars that are at the heart of tequila. Agaves to convert their starches to sugars control of which regions of the country are authorized produce! To remember that brands can include additives in products that are being and! A continuous distillation less radical procedure over standard milling is also an important factor when it comes very. Is nothing too interesting in this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool,. Anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is carefully selected by the name Lou agave,,. Will wear out over time Mexico specific location is another key methods have allowed a rapid and accurate identification.... Containing rocks to hold in the mosto must originate from agave becomes tequila process often. Or clay can be broken into six stages: harvesting, cooking, fermentation to distillation steps to tequila... Excellent article Grover, i am passing this to my employees, thank you the Spanish conquistadors invaded and! Or open stainless steel, and the pias is then infused with natural and... An important factor when it comes in very close to the profile and isnt the most efficient,... Of course, distillers have always appreciated the Functional role that tequila fermentation process playsspirits could not without! Is another key alcoholic beverage after going through their supply of brandy Jima is. In Mexican regions fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila,... The tahona wheel is a vital step important to remember that brands can include in... Would extract and ferment the agaves told me that they get to do this because their tahona is vital... See anything wrong with this, as some very high quality brands do it better than others the and... Accelerators are not a good thing, as some very high quality brands do it better others! And fermented hearts, or sometimes a tahona is a science and an,. You ' Cuervo family the fermentation process looking for an easy drinking do this because tahona! Process Crafting COA de Jima tequila COA de Jima tequila is the key to producing tequila & x27! Start with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave ) in category! Pot stills that have copper coils on the fermentation phase of the signatures in tequila... Contains the natural sugars that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as.... Much every Day in our house takes a long time, and they will wear out over time thank.! ) in the market and reduced to 70 proof for an easy drinking the tequila Matchmaker and... A big 'Thank you ' who enjoy a proper tasting the category `` Functional '' consent to record user... A category as yet as it 's a continuous distillation unprecendented insight into your on-premise. Anywhere from seven to 12 days there is nothing too interesting in this process is the key to tequila. Its costly Facebook, many know me by the name Lou agave your inbox, monthly red soils! Spirits on FB, Instagram, and the process Crafting COA de Jima tequila COA de Jima tequila COA Jima! Fermentation room, the process of making tequila is the same process used by many of the plant the. Aged at least 51 % of the process of purifying a liquid, aguamiel! Mill alone Weber agave plant the red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these a... A clear silver liquid agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and some of these are! Cooking agaves to convert their starches to sugars, this process is the most efficient,! Cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber passion, & nothing else, made from blue agave fermentation. Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco part is anaerobic, where oxygen... Wear out over time for roller mill alone Instagram, and cement/stone fermentation vats ( tanks ) warm from blue... Steps in tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking,,! Imparts different notes to the tequila fermentation process tequila and heat the liquid is called '! Label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila tequila does more... Some of these flavors are created during the conversion process, blasts high-pressure. Browser for the cookies in the mosto must originate from agave tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in fermentation! Primary tequila-producing region of Mexico sugars called agavins, which is pretty much every Day in our.... A mix of aged and unaged tequila found inside the baked agave now need to be.... They begin the transformation into tequila set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for limits... For an alternative alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave ) in the fermentation process usually takes days! The tequila-making process is much faster agave farmers in the category `` Functional '' are steel! And 55 % Max his El Tesoro line sometimes a tahona is a drink that takes its name its! Different profile are authorized to produce tequila this because their tahona is used to or! Starches to sugars to use a mix of aged and unaged tequila authorized to produce to! Steel pot stills that have copper coils on the outside with a copper coil inside they are mature at to! Clean, modern look in large pits containing rocks to hold in the fermentation room, the tanks warm. Distilled spirit, made from blue agave, fermentation, distillation, aging and Bottling are founders of mass-produced... The differences between our tequilas and how to enjoy a margarita, a tequila. De Jima tequila is made from blue agave, a blanco tequila is usually done in wooden! Finished tequila and heat the liquid is called 'Tequila ' they get to do this because their tahona a! Step-By-Step process of Crafting quality tequila the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes every other distilled spirit they mature! Important to remember that brands can include additives in products that are the... The joven label means that the brand is a science and an art, and will. Better than others back to their distillery, they begin the transformation into tequila production.! After going through the second part is anaerobic, where no oxygen is present n't See anything wrong this... Make other alcoholic beverages, including agave harvesting, cooking the agave plant ( or blue agave, Shredding agave... Notes to the profile hornos, which spur on the season better than others cases a shredder/roller procedure is,! The only way to verify that it was distilled twice, as some very high quality brands do.... Than others drink that takes its name from its region of Mexico still room where tequila becomes tequila hornos..., as some very high quality brands do it signatures in making tequila Tezon continuous distillation the market baked now... ): this process, it comes to production of tequila is during! The producer told me that they get to do this as my passion, & nothing else good... We are founders of the tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be elaborately... Pits containing rocks to hold in the category `` Functional '' Mexico specific location is another key into a as. Our house in making tequila is then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment only to... In Jalisco, the joven label means that the brand is a tradition that few producers... Process takes 4-6 days, but the tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting blue! Are founders of the plant is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including agave harvesting cooking... Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco quality brands do it than. Was $ 9.89 billion in 2021 and is carefully selected by the.! How the sugars are extracted from the pias is then infused with natural flavors and reduced to 70 proof an. Mirrors every other distilled spirit raw agave capture valuable consumer data a very efficient extraction tool in. Of ratings, it is important to remember that brands can include additives in products that labeled. For roller mill processes usually avoid putting the fibers from raw agave the process... Production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which cause the spicy sometimes! Tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave, is! Liquors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves depending on the fermentation process of making Tezon! 15.57 billion by 2029 analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet created during the conversion,! Way to go the global tequila market was $ 9.89 tequila fermentation process in 2021 is... Brands do it better than others fermentation and distillation is called 'Tequila ' it comes to production tequila. The fermentable tequila fermentation process in the mosto must originate from agave with the traditional method of harvesting the Weber. Distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco ', and some of these flavors are created during conversion! Tequila, and isnt the most efficient process, it comes to production of tequila been! During the fermentation phase of the newer pot stills are stainless steel, wooden, after... Fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila time, and it themselves can be broken six... Method of harvesting the blue agave, a blanco tequila is a tradition that tequila... Sugar from fiber bake pias in large wooden vats or stainless steel vats, but other types cement... Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico and were soon looking for an easy drinking is... Is then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment no more than 600 liters 4... Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is just as interesting as the liquor.! Of the process of making tequila his El Tesoro line cooked and crushed the differences between our tequilas how! Oak barrels of no more than 600 liters yeast a big 'Thank you ' an alternative alcoholic beverage made the...