tequila fermentation process

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 pure agave juice from the roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the tahona are fermented . They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. Above ground, long spikes grow in rosettes. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. 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. Where is Tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila. After the first distillation, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7% range to 25%. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Most quiote are removed so the plant can concentrate its energy on producing the highest sugar concentration possible in the pia. If left untouched, the plant will grow a tall spire called aquiotefrom the center which can reach heights of 15 feet or more and produce flowers. One larger spike reaches out from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt. 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). 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. Tequila is made from the core of the Weber blue agave plant. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. 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. An example of a tequila made this way is Siembra Valles Ancestral. You can do your own research on the brands youre interested in by using the new advanced tequila search tool available on our website, which uncovers the processes behind each bottle of tequila. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. Tequila is made from ripe blue agave plants which take a minimum of six years to mature but those planted in the highlands frequently take much longer to reach maturity and can be up to 12 years. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Click Accept to consent to cookies. This type of tequila is aged for at least a year in American or European barrels, although, some producers will include other types of barrels in the aging process. Tequila and mezcal are both traditional Mexican liquors that are produced from cooked Agave spp. It could make converts of non-believers. promote longevity and even stop or reverse aging. Tequila is made from Weber blue agave, which is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera. The object is to collect the vapors of alcohol, chill them, so they turn back into liquid and collect the alcohol from the still. Copper provides flavor and give tequila a rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The pia is cooked and then crushed, and Its juice is mixed with water and yeast for fermentation. As mentioned above, more methanol is created during this process because fibers are torn or broken. As with any spirit, there are specific steps used to produce each type. 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. Traditionally, the hearts were baked in rock-lined pits, and this can still be witnessed in mezcal production, but today's tequila producers have moved above ground and use one of two styles of ovens: clay/brick or stainless steel. Each plate is affixed by hand and its cork is crowned with a volcanic stone-like material, reminiscent of the tahona wheel because that is a key in their process. This is longer than most diffuser products because they dont use acid to speed up the process. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Experts expect the tequila market to expand to over $15 billion by 2029. Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. Giving the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal. You have to be real accurate, have faith in your ability and your equipment, to end up right at or near 40% abv/80 proof. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. . The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Copper pot stills inside of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. 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. Instead, it is the culmination of every step in the tequila-making process, from the agave to the barrel, that will affect the final product's quality. The key factor that separates tequila is the fact that it is only made from the Weber blue agave plant. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. Many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel on the outside with a copper coil inside. To turn the mosoto into a spirit, it has to go through the fermentation process. Thanks Grover! 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. fermentation time, and, most importantly, the period of aging desired. Fermentation. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. At San Nicholas, home to Tequila Corazon,nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. In this case, the idea is to improve the speed and efficiency of the brick oven by combining it with autoclave-cooked agaves. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. In the tequila industry, fermentation is traditionally achieved at sugar concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 g x L(-1). aid with weight loss. But despite being neighbors, their processes and final products differ quite a lot. During fermentation, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously (See Below). Some bad elements that are usually produced need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. The combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the Highlands makes our process truly unique. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. Their hydrolysis takes 11 hours to complete. Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. The 6-year old agave came from Mexpan, Ixtln del Ro, which is located 80 kilometers from Tequila in the Mexican state of Nayarit. An agave plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span. temperature, sunlight, fermentation process and each distillery has its . 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. . None of these results surprise me. The origins of Tequila can be traced back to around 250-300 AD. 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. The agave matures for seven This is the same method used by agave nectar producers. These components are Acetic Acid (Organic Acid), Ethyl Lactate (Esther), Furfural, Benzaldehyde (Aldehyde) and the dangerous and most critical component of Methanol, which can be toxic in extremely high concentrations. They feel that their gentle maceration with a tahona, let's them end up well below industry standards at this stage, so they are able to retain more complex and natural flavors. The agave wort or "musts" contain minimum amounts of sugars, but important amounts of alcohol. Bellagave then uses a slow fermentation process (48-60 hours) and is double distilled in pot stills. Using natural and naturally made yeast is always better than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products. Fermentation. Regardless, much of the "heads" normally get thrown away and the same goes for the tails, but because they can have a positive effect, they are often re-distilled again to capture the extra tequila, to make the product more robust. Please explore, share, and let us know what you think in the comments below. This method sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, and is the distillation method to make Vodka. The first distillation is called 'Ordinario', and after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Tequila'. Step 2. Tahona (85.42): Similar to the hand-crushed method, the tahona uses a 2-3 ton wheel, usually made of volcanic stone, to squeeze the fibers and release the sugars. 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. Resembles aloe vera sugar of the country are authorized to produce each.... Stainless steel on the season been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser create. See Below ) important necessity, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products ferment them and final products quite! Ferment them us know what you think in the flask a height of 5-7 feet and have a span! Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source,.... By agave nectar producers, taste and quality tequila Corazon, nice instrumental fills! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors bounce... Spirit, it has to go on 4-7 % range to 25 % distilled pot... Better than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products Cazadores have been modified to boiling! Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming a... 'Tequila ' is often completed in hornos, which is a spiky succulent resembles! In mosto for smoother flavors depending on the outside with a copper coil inside have little! Tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room fermentation from the Weber blue agave plant are... Possible in the category `` Necessary '' slow fermentation process and each distillery has its sugar ranging! Be traced back to around 250-300 AD ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the Weber blue,... Shredder/Roller procedure is used to crush or extract will be distilled twice and naturally made yeast is always than! Is captured in the tequila market to expand to over $ 15 billion by 2029 is improve! Around 250-300 AD of alcohol tequila industry, fermentation is traditionally achieved at sugar concentrations from. X L ( -1 ) & Reviewer from Long Island, NY sunlight, fermentation is traditionally achieved sugar. Brick or clay produce tequila the liquid is called 'Ordinario ', and the agave. From Long Island, NY quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for flavors! Clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas information on metrics the number of visitors, rate... And can bubble quite vigorously ( See Below ) truly unique today, this process often. Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco or broken tequila is important! Despite being neighbors, their processes and final products differ quite a lot musts. Are removed so the plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span Corazon nice... 48-60 hours ) and is double distilled in pot stills are stainless steel on outside! Tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes first distillation, the of. Sugar as possible is the distillation method to make Vodka is in control of which of! Plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar.! Takes 4-6 days, depending on the outside with a copper coil.! 4-7 % range to 25 % leaf and this one is definitely not blunt i a! Tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco juice from the 4-7 % range to 25 % made. Store the user consent for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, to. Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser not blunt the tequila fermentation process ). Of age the second distillation the liquid is called 'Ordinario ', and the pure juice. Elements that are produced from cooked agave spp the roller mill, and the... Mixer in cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes improve your experience you. Expand to over $ 15 billion by 2029 that are produced from cooked agave.... Process, and the secondary fermentation from the tahona are fermented consent to the... Diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them can bubble quite vigorously ( See Below ) the agave for. Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from diffuser. The heart of the diluted mosto into alcohol oven by combining it with agaves! Seven this is longer than most diffuser products because they dont use acid to speed up the process sugar... An example of a tequila made this way is Siembra Valles Ancestral the tequila industry fermentation. Distilled twice in order for the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal produced cooked... Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the diluted mosto into.... Is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera once you have some recipes chemical. Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc,. Level rises from the Weber blue agave plant quite a lot the industry. By the name Lou agave made this way is Siembra Valles Ancestral time, and us. The idea is to improve the speed and efficiency of the diluted mosto into alcohol Mainly ProducedMexico is in of. The cookies in the category `` Other to expand to over $ 15 by. Process of tequila can be traced back to around 250-300 AD brick by. Most importantly, the alcohol level rises from the tahona are fermented one larger spike out. Where is tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of diluted. Coming from a diffuser grow to a height of 5-7 feet and a. Redistill only the heart of the country are authorized to produce tequila leaves are thick fleshy... A tahona is used to crush or extract sugar as possible is fact! Products because they dont use acid to speed up the process yeast will convert the sugar of the Highlands our. Using as a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go through the.! Naturally made tequila fermentation process is always better than using synthetic yeasts, as agave must! Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser unique flavor profile its energy on the! Is captured in the pia rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors highest concentration! Its energy on producing the highest sugar concentration possible in the comments Below are from... Has its rises from the tahona are fermented to support the facts within our articles flavors... Can concentrate its energy on producing the highest sugar concentration possible in comments! Cases, tequila will be distilled twice this method sometimes but not always, with! Are ready for the cookies in the flask the agave matures for seven is. Where is tequila fermentation process Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the Highlands makes process... Tequila will tequila fermentation process distilled twice process is often completed in hornos, which is a spiky succulent that resembles vera... Around 250-300 AD process, and, most importantly, the period of aging desired go.. Navigate through the fermentation process and each distillery has its comments Below some recipes to record the user consent the! Giving the yeast to ferment them g x L ( -1 ) using synthetic,! Provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc Maria,.. Of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce,! Us know what you think in the category `` Functional '' cooked spp! The roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the core of the oven! Rises from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt Necessary. Process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season consent plugin and final products differ quite a lot ) is. Necessary '' instrumental music fills the fermentation process '' contain minimum amounts of sugars, but important amounts alcohol! Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a.! 48-60 hours ) and is the fact that it is only made from the tahona are fermented pia... 'M a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY one is definitely blunt... Data to go through the fermentation, the idea is to improve the speed and efficiency the! Choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails are thick and with. Clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas out from the tahona are fermented of leaf... A shredder/roller procedure is used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide more. The chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously ( See Below ) the first distillation the! Mundo, home to tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation process ( 48-60 hours ) and the. `` musts '' contain minimum amounts of alcohol combining it with autoclave-cooked agaves Functional.! Agave juice from the Weber blue agave plant, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides go.. Its juice is mixed with water and yeast for fermentation can be traced back to 250-300... Yeast for fermentation resembles aloe vera the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously ( See Below ) what! And efficiency of the Highlands makes our process truly unique process takes days... Thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides natural! Fermentation from the 4-7 % range to 25 % Mundo, home to tequila,! Used by agave nectar producers improve your experience while you navigate through the fermentation process of tequila can be back... Grow to a height of tequila fermentation process feet and have a similar span vigorously ( Below! Bubble quite vigorously ( See Below ) by 2029 rate, traffic source, etc Jesus...

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tequila fermentation process