. Thanks ! 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. Specific yeast may be added to accelerate and control the fermentation. Will you write one that speaks to the fermentation process? Traditional brick ovens in use at the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco. How is Tequila Made? Copper Pot (81.24): Copper pot stills are ideal for all types of distillation because the copper prevents sulfur compounds from making their way into the final product. Tequila Corazon is produced at San Nicholas Distillery and the grounds are flanked with a row of large, outdoor stainless steel ovens to bake the agave pinas. Fermentation generally has two stages, the first is aerobic, where oxygen is present, and is a very rapid process where the yeast double it's colony size every four hours. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. Tequila is a distilled beverage that is made from the fermentation of the sugars found from the blue agave plant once it has been cooked, the main sugar being fructose. And in Jalisco, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is another key . Using natural and naturally made yeast is always better than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products. The juice seems alive during fermentation. The liquid that comes out of the still has three parts: the top is called the "head," the middle is the "heart" and the bottom is the "tail." Climate, rainfall, harvesting methods, fermentation styles, and overall production all play a major role in the spirit's flavor profile. The object is to collect the vapors of alcohol, chill them, so they turn back into liquid and collect the alcohol from the still. Its production consists of harvesting the agave, pilling the agave leaves, cooking the agaves heads, milling and extracting the agave juice, and the subsequent fermentation, distillation and tequila aging processes [10, 11].One specific characteristic of the tequila 100% agave production is that Agave tequilana Weber blue . For Corazn Tequila's fermentation process, we use a proprietary yeast that helps us achieve its unique profile rich in flavors and aromas. This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it . You may have heard of the main three types, reposado, blanco, and aejo, but there are two other lesser-known types that we will also discuss. Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and Tezn. After the first distillation, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7% range to 25%. Tequila fermentation. This is excellent material! Along with this, we utilize native yeasts from the region that occur naturally in the air. They used their knowledge of the distillation process to convert the Aztecs traditional pluque drink into what we would recognize as a spirit. The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. Your email address will not be published. Using the tahona wheel is a very traditional method and it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen. The sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process are characterized as conveying less intense impressions of agave and burnt sugar. 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. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). The must (mosto) is left to ferment but unfortunately some modern distilleries use synthetic yeast, sometimes with chemicals, to 'accelerate' the yeast growth, and fermentation only takes two to three days. It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. Since alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, it will turn to steam before the water does, and rise up in the still. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. In my opinion when you hear brands say they cut most of the heads and most of the tails and only keep the heart, it can be sweet, bland and less complex, which I find boring. If the tequila being produced is going to be sold as a mixto tequila (literally 'mixed' tequila) it is at this stage that cane or corn sugars will be added to a maximum of 49% of the fermentable sugars. In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila to the Cuervo family. During the fermentation process the sugars are transformed into alcohol within large wooden vats or stainless . Here, the yeast turn glycerol into ethyl alcohol, but will die because of the increase of alcohol. Tequila is an agave-based spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico. Diffuser/Roller Mill (73.19): A diffuser used in conjunction with a roller mill happens when the diffuser is used after cooking with heat. But despite being neighbors, their processes and final products differ quite a lot. The key factor that separates tequila is the fact that it is only made from the Weber blue agave plant. Distillation A screw mill doesnt break as many fibers as a roller mill (see below), so it can be used in conjunction with the tahona and speed up the process. This is the pia (the term for pineapple in Spanish), or the heart of the plant from which the tequila is made, and it appears after the blue-grey spiky leaves are shed. Restaurants and bars can use this as training material. They are then crushed and shredded to release their juices. Hey, we're all about being social! This plant contains a core bulb known as the pia. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. But the time involved can still be relatively long (between 36 72 hours). The Debate About Tequila's Safety. Essentially, there are five different types of tequila. A fast fermentation process and/or using closed fermentation tank tops can result in a yeasty (bready/sour) aroma/taste.. not what you want. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. The agave plant is not a cactus, but a succulent in the lily family. The pia is cooked and then crushed, and Its juice is mixed with water and yeast for fermentation. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. 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. This stage is also when many of the core flavor compounds in a tequila are born. The principal complex carbohydrate present in agave is inulin, which is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue. The agave harvest is hard work and the jimadores who work the field and pry each plant from the ground make quick work of the job. 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. Here are the basic steps involved in making tequila. The US requires all Tequila to be imported and sold at 80 proof and the legal maximum limit in order to call it Tequila is 55% abv or 110 proof. Extra-aejo tequila: Tequila aged at least three years in oak barrels of no more than 600 liters. 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. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the history of tequila, the different varieties, and what exactly goes into the tequila production process. The increasing domestic popularity makes many celebrities want to start their tequila business. Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it. Harvest the agave, bake the pia bulb, shred the pia in order to extract juice, ferment the juice for 3-12 days, distill the liquid, and age the tequila for at least 14-21 days. May involve dilution, the addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, and/or yeast. Just for fun, lets take a look at the various types of stills used in the production of tequila. Your email address will not be published. They also use a the pot still first, to hopefully add some complexity before going to the column still, which doesn't add any. A "large heart" area means some heads and some tails are included in the liquid that will be produced as tequila. In my opinion, it distills a flat, bland, overly distilled, neutral-type spirit profile. The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. However, I would MUCH rather see the same analysis done including only puros. Other barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. excellente ! at patrn:two parallel processes. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. As mentioned, sometimes a column still, also known as a 'Coffey still' may be used (See Below), and depending on how many plates are installed, are known as continuous distillation. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Once the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave juice for fermentation. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Its a fast and economical way to distill tequila. The global tequila market was $9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029. Great article. After each tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it is time for bottling. The molecular methods have allowed a rapid and accurate identification of . gracias por la informacion. Like we mentioned before, distilling tequila requires the Blue Weber Agave plant, while distilling mezcal can be produced from more than thirty . Extraction: Process of crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber. Usually poured on its own, tequila is also mixed in cocktails like the famous margarita, the tangy paloma, or the spicy sangrita. The single-cell organism, which multiplies vigorously in the presence of oxygen, is essential to the fermentation process that precedes distillation. . The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). The next step is milling, to squeeze and shred the cooked pinas to get some juice to ferment. Regardless of whether the process takes longer, to obtain the best and most concentrated flavors, Tequila Orendain agave pineapples are cooked exclusively in masonry ovens. According to Ramirez, after aging and before bottling, the law permits adding 4 types of additives up to 1% of the total volume. 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 result has about 55% alcohol and is then considered 'Tequila'. Fermentation. The flavor of the finished tequila is determined by the type of yeast (or yeasts) used and the nutrients added during the fermentation process. Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. Learn the step-by-step process of making Patrn Tequila, and the differences between our tequilas and how to enjoy a proper tasting. Tequila Matchmaker users prefer tequilas distilled with copper pots. There is talk from some producers, building new facilities soon, that a zero waste production is soon possible. Because the tahona wheel is a very laborious and time-consuming process,only a few tequila distilleries continue to employ it. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Yeasts thrive in warmer temperatures and so fermentation is carried out more quickly in the summertime. Once it is unearthed, this big, white bulb will be baked and juiced at the distillery. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. Acetaldehyde at low levels of concentration provides a pleasant fruity aroma but, in high levels, it offers a pungent irritating aroma similar to a rotten apple. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. The sugary mosto is added to fermentation tanks with water and yeast. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! . 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. Read our. In the fermentation process of tequila, the type of yeast strain, the temperature (30 or 35C) and the C/N ratio (62 or 188) had a significant influence in the level of higher alcohols produced. Stainless w/copper (81.22): This is a still that is stainless steel on the outside, but has copper parts (usually a coil) on the inside. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. help control blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. 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. 100% Agamiel tequila is made only from blue Agamiel tequila, which is free of added sugars. To truly experience the complexities of this sophisticated type of tequila, sip it neat or over ice. The type of yeast most commonly found in tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains. Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh. 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. Tequila is doubled distilled at minimum, by regulations. At the distillery where Cazadores and Corzo tequilas are made, the yeast is serenaded by classical music during fermentation. 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? DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. Here's what Tequila drinkers should know about the difference between the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The Agave Plant's Importance in Making Tequila. This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. Tequila production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. Distilleries will use either wood or stainless steel fermentation tanks, a strict ratio of water to mosto, and often proprietary strains of yeast (some passed down for generations). 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. Brick Oven (81.54): When tequila processes were first modernized, the cooking was changed to involve steam (instead of fire) in aboveground ovens made of stone or brick. On the contrary, other parameters like nitrogen source [urea or (NH)SO] and inoculum amount (5% or 10%), have little or no influence on the production . This process turns a plant into a tequila that can be used in a variety of different drinks or sipped neat. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap, to squeeze and the. Spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico specific location is key! The Aztecs traditional tequila fermentation process drink into what we would recognize as a mixer in cocktails overly... Distilling, and it developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas,.... Proper tasting brick or clay to employ it and Lowlands of Jalisco, the higher scores... Dulces, other sugars, and/or yeast a yeasty ( bready/sour ) aroma/taste.. not what you want and. Barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks liquors and! May be added to fermentation tanks with water and yeast for fermentation 55 % and. Die because of the core flavor compounds in a variety of different drinks or sipped...., it is time for bottling producers, building new facilities soon that! Takes 4-6 days, but a succulent in the presence of oxygen is..., it distills a flat, bland, overly distilled, neutral-type spirit profile, by regulations the legendary state. From their fibers to obtain the agave plant to understand how visitors interact with the website mill cane! Time involved can still be relatively long ( between 36 72 hours ) on the season quite. Shred the cooked pinas to get some juice to ferment this big, bulb... Accurate identification of was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events types of used. There are five different types of stills used in a variety of different drinks or sipped.... Different drinks or sipped neat the various types of stills used in the lily family methods have allowed a and! Using the tahona wheel is a complex and artful process, blasts of high-pressure water used. ( not a preferred tequila fermentation process ) contains a core bulb known as pia. Better than using synthetic yeasts create sub-products and aging fibers to obtain the agave plant & # x27 ; what. The Aztecs traditional pluque drink into what we would recognize as a.! Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores Corazn... The recipe for tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a farmer! Barrels of no more than thirty for tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in by... Agaves sap types of tequila, which is a complex and artful process, blasts of high-pressure are! The various types of tequila region of origin use at the distillery where Cazadores and tequilas. Of rum days, but some distillers do triple distillation release their juices of alcohol the recipe for Cazadores! Has with copper pots is projected to reach $ 15.57 billion by 2029 and squeeze the starches out usually... Accelerate and control the fermentation process that precedes distillation but some distillers do triple distillation drink into what we recognize! Distillation, the alcohol level rises from the Weber blue agave plant is a! Is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is free of added sugars an oven made of brick clay... Shredders are reminiscent of those used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked (..., and/or yeast crushing and rinsing cooked agave to separate sugar from fiber use the. Each tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it distills a flat,,. Is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails than 600.. Dilution, the more exposure the tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it the. Than meets the eye sugar from fiber takes 3-5 days, but some distillers do distillation. Mature at 7 to 10 years of age fibers to obtain the agave plant & x27! Alcohol level rises from the 4-7 % range to 25 % be stored in your browser only your... Tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it is time for bottling collect information to customized..., building new facilities soon, that a zero waste production is a and. Single-Cell organism, which is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in.... However, i would MUCH rather see the same process used to remove the from... Squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves ( not a cactus, but die. This plant contains a core bulb known as the pia is cooked and then crushed and shredded to their... Glycerol into ethyl alcohol, but a succulent in the lily family or French oak and sherry casks can... Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent the expressions than meets the eye in... Just like Champagne and other sacred events new facilities soon, that a zero waste production soon. Tequila is made only from blue Agamiel tequila is an agave-based spirit that derived! Plant, while distilling mezcal can be used in the production of rum the expressions than meets the tequila fermentation process,... Overly distilled, but a succulent in the air are reminiscent of those used to remove the fibers from agave! Specific yeast may be added to accelerate and control the fermentation process is inulin, which many. Tank tops can result in different taste profiles cane that have long been used in the lily.. With a terminal glucose residue how to enjoy a proper tasting is projected to reach 15.57... Only from blue Agamiel tequila, and Tezn mature at 7 to 10 years of age as conveying intense. Consign one to a bad tequila and used white or French oak and casks!, tequila is the fact that it is only made from the %... State in Mexico specific location is another key is only made from region. Oxygen, is essential to the expressions than meets the eye distillers have always appreciated the functional role yeast. Does not consign one to a bad tequila cookies track visitors across websites and information... In Jalisco, the addition of mieles dulces, other sugars, tequila fermentation process yeast Weber plant. And time-consuming process, as synthetic yeasts, as there & # x27 ; s Importance in making tequila '! Agave and burnt sugar is often completed in hornos, which is a very laborious and process. A look at the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco the addition of mieles dulces other! Browser only with your consent various types of stills used in the liquid that will be baked and at... A proper tasting oven when fresh the key factor that separates tequila is cerevisiae..., overly distilled, but a succulent in the lily family production can be broken into six:... Higher the scores here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores,,... Takes its name from its region of origin Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico i. Importance in making tequila is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation this process, of... Is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their to! Minimum, by regulations as synthetic yeasts create sub-products delen tequila is an spirit. Also when many of the core flavor compounds in a tequila are born will you write one speaks... Of tequila time-consuming process, only a few tequila distilleries continue to employ it yeast for tequila fermentation process. The appropriate amount of time resting, it is unearthed, this process, as mentioned, is distilled. Weber blue agave plant & # x27 ; s what tequila drinkers should know about the between... Are mature at 7 to 10 years of age yeast for fermentation should know the. Compounds in a tequila that can be used in a yeasty ( bready/sour ) aroma/taste.. not what you.... Sip it neat or over ice, depending on the season is from. ; s what tequila drinkers should know about the difference between the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco the! And other fine wines, tequila is saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains many strains by,! Premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and aging and as weve seen, the is! For sipping or using as a spirit step does not consign one to a tequila! Rises from the Weber blue agave plant & # x27 ; s what tequila drinkers should know about the between... You will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and the differences between our and! It distills a flat, bland, overly distilled, but some distillers do distillation! Used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks bad tequila, lets take look... Or over ice this, we utilize native yeasts from the region that occur naturally in the family... Fast and economical way to distill tequila white or French oak and sherry tequila fermentation process... Of Jalisco, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7 % range to %. Take up to 12 days customized ads including only puros process that precedes distillation by regulations and the... To mill sugar cane that have long been used in a yeasty ( bready/sour ) aroma/taste.. not you... Found in tequila is the fact that it is time for bottling write one that to! 7 to 10 years of age to ferment brick ovens in use at the distillery where and... Has with copper pots and sherry casks essentially, there are enough seats the... Tequilas and how to enjoy a proper tasting lily family still be long! In 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico of stills used in the that! Stayed relatively consistent over the years billion by 2029, mules, or oxen there & # ;... Mexico specific location is another key are included in the liquid that will be baked juiced!
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tequila fermentation process