For sure you have plenty of questions about your favorite Mexican drink, the tequila. Here we will answer all of them. Every question about tequila answered! We live in Mexico, so all the information comes straight from the source.
Where does tequila come from?
The tequila comes from the town of Tequila in the Mexican state of Jalisco. According to the Mexican Tequila Standard, these are the only Mexican regions that can produce tequila – Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
Where does the name tequila come from?
The alcohol tequila got its name from the town of Tequila, which is located in Jalisco state in Mexico. It was first produced there at the beginning of the 17th century.
When tequila was invented?
Tequila was invented in the 16th centuries thanks to the mix of Spanish knowledge about distillation and the Aztec traditions of creating alcohol from agave with their pulque drink. It started to get popular at the beginning of the 17th century when tequila started to be produced in factories.
Can tequila be made outside of Mexico?
No. Tequila can be produced only in Mexico and only inside a specific region, near the town of Tequila. Another limitation is the blue agave plant. It is the only plant that can be used for tequila.
What is tequila made from?
The tequila is produced from blue agave plants. The bulbs of the blue agave are baked, and after that, they pass several processes, including double distillation, until they become a true tequila. In the process, producers can add oak extract, sugar syrup, coloring like caramel, and water. If you want to see the complete process of how the tequila is made, click here.
Can tequila freeze?
A typical tequila with 35 % alcohol can freeze at around -20. The exact point of freezing will depend on the alcohol percentage. So, a typical tequila won’t freeze inside an average freezer.
Tequila is not supposed to be put in a freezer. You won’t be able to smell its aroma and enjoy fully its taste. Of course, you can do whatever you like with your drink, but true Mexicans don’t cool their tequila.
Can tequila go bad?
If the bottle of tequila stays closed and there is no structural damage to the bottle, it won’t expire. It can last centuries if preserved well.
When the bottle is already open, the tequila could go bad after around 6 months to a year. If you open a tequila, it is best to enjoy it, before this period so you don’t suffer from any negative effects of a spoiled tequila.
If you leave the tequila open for a long time, it will change its color and taste, caused by the oxidation.
What tequila is the best?
The best tequila is 100% agave Extra Añejo tequila. It is the ultra-aged tequila from a 100% blue agave plant without any additional sugar added. This tequila will be harder to find, so you will need to go to a special alcohol store to get one, and it will be more expensive. But it is worth it.
What tequila is used for margaritas?
Tequila Blanco a.k.a. Silver tequila is the preferred tequila for margaritas and other cocktails. This is the most economical tequila, it usually has no additional color or extra oak taste so it is perfect for mixing.
How tequila is served?
If you ask for tequila in Mexico, in a restaurant, it will be served straight in a small glass.
In Mexican bars, or abroad, the tequila is served as a shot with a slice of lemon and salt.
How to drink tequila?
Drinking neat tequila
Choose a more premium tequila like tequila reposado, tequila añejo, or tequila extra añejo. Check that the bottle says 100% agave, to be sure that it is a top-quality tequila. The tequila should be consumed at room temperature. Drink the premium tequila slowly and enjoy the deep taste.
Drink tequila with salt and lemon
For all the party-goers this should be a well-known method. Pour the tequila into a shot glass.
Put salt on your hand, in the space between your thumb and index finger.
Then, lick the salt out of your hand.
The second step is to take the shot of tequila.
And the last step is to bite a lemon or lime.
Why tequila salt and lemon?
In Mexico, salt and lemon are used on many different dishes. It is a very popular combination that also came to the tequila. Some Mexican say that it is a trick to drink cheap tequila and this way you don't feel the taste so much.
Why does tequila have a worm?
The tequila worm is a pure marketing gimmick. There is a type of worm called "gusano de maguey" and it eats the core of the agave plants. Later it leaves the plant and becomes a moth. It is possible that during the process some worms get to the factory, but they will burn during the baking process of the agave heads (piñas). The tequila worm is a marketing trick that started in Oaxaca. It is more popular with mezcals, a spirit like the tequila, but produced from the different agave plants and outside of Tequila town.
Will tequila make you gain weight?
Yes, tequila will make you gain weight. 100 g of tequila are 231 calories(Source: FatSecrets). It is not as bad as the chocolate, but still the tequila adds extra calories to your diet and you can gain some additional weight. Drink responsibly and you won't get any tequila fattening effects.
Tequila vs mezcal
The tequila is an alcohol distilled spirit made according to the official Mexican specifications NOM-006-SCFI-2012. Only producers from the areas specified in this document can create tequila and only from the blue agave plant. All other spirits from different agaves are called mezcals (learn more about mezcal here). They can also have amazing tastes, but can’t “wear” the worldly-famous tag – tequila.
Read "Mexican mezcal is a sip of heaven - Interesting facts about mezcal".
What type of alcohol is tequila?
The tequila is a distilled liquor, made from Mexican agave plants with an alcohol percentage between 35 and 55%. In Mexico, it is a part of the Mezcales, alcohol beverages made from agave.
Is tequila stronger than vodka?
The tequila has 35-55% alcohol, and the most popular in Mexico is 35%. On the other hand, the vodka is 37.5-90 % with the most popular type of vodka of 40%. So, if you compare the most popular tequilas and vodkas, then yes, the vodka is stronger.
Is a shot of tequila a day healthy?
No, a shot of tequila a day is not healthy. No alcohol is healthy, not even in small amounts.
Mexicans do believe drinking tequila is healthy and helps your digestion, but there is no scientific evidence to back up that claim.
What has health benefits is the agave plant. It is a natural antioxidant, it can reduce the risk of diabetes type 2, increase calcium levels(source: NLM), reduce pain and inflammation (source: NLM), and more. But all of these benefits are connected to the raw agave plant, not to the distilled alcohol from it.
How many shots of tequila will get you drunk?
For an average man (between 85 and 115 kg) 4 or 5 shots (200 – 250 ml) of tequila will be enough to make you drunk. For an average woman (between 45 and 70 kg) 2 or 3 shots (100 – 150 ml) of tequila will be enough to make you drunk.
Is tequila a stimulant or a depressant?
Tequila, just like any other strong alcohol is a depressant. Despite the image that the tequila has, that is related to loud parties, sadly its chemical compound works as a depressant to our brains.
Does tequila give you a worse hangover?
Tequila can give you a hangover, but it is a quality tequila, you won’t suffer additionally. Buy premium tequila and you won’t suffer from the effect of additional ingredients inside the tequila. Just be aware, every strong alcohol can give you a strong hangover if you consume too much.
Which tequila is best for no hangover?
The best tequila, for a better chance of not having a strong hangover, is the 100% Blue Agave tequila without any additional ingredients. You can find the “ 100% Blue Agave tequila” tag on the bottle. Also, you can have a better experience with Reposado (aged), Añejo (extra aged), and Extra Añejo (ultra aged).
What is the best grade of tequila?
The best grade of tequila is the ultra-aged tequila called “Extra añejo”. Such a tequila must have at least 3 years of aging in an oak barrel with a maximum capacity of 600 liters. The tequila extra añejo will have an amber color and excellent taste, thanks to the years inside the wood barrel.
Outro
Do you still have any doubts and questions about tequila? Go ahead and ask us.
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We are here to answer all your tequila-related questions.