Chances are you’ve heard of this spirit. Maybe you’ve even partaken, and chased it down with salt and citrus juice. But how much do you really know about tequila? Do you know how it’s made, and what characterizes a truly exceptional bottle? We certainly didn’t. That is, until we spoke with Sandeep and Riti – the minds behind the phenomenal cada día brand. Now, we’re eager to share everything there is to know about tequila. Join us as we delve into the intricate details of this fascinating spirit.
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What is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled liquor hailing from Mexico. Its color and flavor vary with age, and its alcohol content ranges from 38-55%. Its primary ingredient—a species of blue agave known as “Weber Azul”—grows abundantly in the Jaliscan Highlands, and around the city that shares the spirit’s name. The Jalisco region is rife with volcanic soil, making it tailor-made for agave cultivation; every year, millions of plants are harvested there. According to law, tequila can only be made in Jalisco and a handful of adjacent municipalities.
How is it Made?
To make tequila, you’ll need three things: blue agave, water, and yeast. The process is time-consuming but straightforward. First, the piñas—the cores of the agave plants—are cooked to break down their natural sugars. Next, they are ground up to extract their juices. Said liquid enjoys a brief stint of fermentation, followed by a minimum of two distillations; this transforms it first into ordinario, then into tequila. From there, the spirit can be bottled right away, or aged in wooden barrels to imbue it with additional flavors.
Aren’t There Different Types?
Depending on its age, tequila will sport one of three designations. Bottles whose contents have spent less than two months ageing are given the moniker blanco. These tequilas, as the name implies, are colorless, with the taste of cooked agave at the forefront. A tequila that’s sat in a barrel for two months to a year, meanwhile, is known as reposado – Spanish for “rested.” Reposados often have a golden hue, as well as complex notes of caramel and citrus. Finally, there is añejo—“aged” or “mature”—tequila, made by ageing the spirit for upwards of three years. At this stage, the tequila will have taken on a deep brown color, and had its agave flavor overtaken by notes of oak and smoke.
What Defines a Good Tequila?
We consulted the experts on this one. According to Sandeep and Riti, there are several factors to consider. Naturally, a fine tequila must be made from pure agave. It goes deeper than that, though; the agave must also be harvested at the peak of its ripeness. It can take years for agave to ripen, but the resulting spirit will be well worth the wait. Additionally, they insist the piñas should be baked low and slow, to coax out their natural flavors. Finally, they emphasize the importance of using naturally occurring yeasts found within the agave itself; while yeast from outside sources will get the job done, it can tamper with the flavor of the final product.
Why Choose Tequila?
Different people love tequila for different reasons. Some adore the earthy taste of cooked agave. Others are fascinated by the culture surrounding its production. For Sandeep and Riti, a combination of these factors left them infatuated with the spirit. Not to mention the drink has sentimental value to them; they first met drinking tequila at the Mink Nightclub in Toronto. Also, strange as it may sound, tequila is better for you than many alcohols. For one, it contains fewer calories than other spirits. For another, agavins—natural fructose found in agave—don’t absorb into the body like other sugars. Plus, some elements in tequila can aid digestion. Don’t mistake it for a health food, though; like any spirit, tequila should be consumed in moderation.
How is Tequila Best Enjoyed?
There’s more than one way to savor tequila. In the case of a top-shelf spirit like cada día, you won’t regret taking it neat. There’s also the popular method of downing a shot coupled with salt and fresh lime. Or you could mix your spirit into one of many unforgettable cocktails, from margaritas to the classic tequila sunrise. If you’re looking for inspiration, consider pulling up the cada día site; it boasts a wide range of mixed drinks, tailor-made for fine tequila.
