tequila fermentation process

You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. For those who enjoy a margarita, a blanco tequila is usually the way to go. The length of the aging process will vary based on the type of tequila being created, however, all tequilas must age for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. 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. A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. It could make converts of non-believers. Will you write one that speaks to the fermentation process? Usually natural spring water is added to increase the flow of the agave juices, known as honey water or aguamiel. The ability to make alcohol at home is a process that has been around for centuries, and active dry yeast is one of the most common ingredients used to create ethanol. Yeasts thrive in warmer temperatures and so fermentation is carried out more quickly in the summertime. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. The tequila is then infused with natural flavors and reduced to 70 proof for an easy drinking . 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). Tequila fermentation. The geographical origin is what distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world. Just nine years later in 1600, tequila was being mass-produced. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). 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. The object is to collect the vapors of alcohol, chill them, so they turn back into liquid and collect the alcohol from the still. The roller mill inside of the Patron Hacienda distillery. . . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation phase of the process. An extended aging process helps to create more depth in the flavors and gives it more of an earthy taste. This method sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, and is the distillation method to make Vodka. 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. It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. The second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it is a vital step. 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.). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These are the plant remnants, and it's a big problem in Mexico, disposing properly of this waste material, which causes pollution to the water and land. Great article. Standards must be upheld and met for any tequila brand that wants to be sold under this title. Hey, we're all about being social! In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila to the Cuervo family. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. The Debate About Tequila's Safety. Usually the liquid is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, before starting distillation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tequila Matchmaker, our free app for iPhone and Android, can detect your own individual "flavor fingerprint" and match you with tequilas that are right for you (and then tell you where to find them.) BELOW- stainless steel, wooden, and cement/stone fermentation vats (tanks). In cooler months, the process takes a little longer. The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. 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. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. Step 2. "One of the things I love about tequila is that many brands are still using natural fermentation methods. 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. Is the process where the alcohol is separated from the fermented wort (mosto). Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. These are the two essential tequila classifications: The regulations enforced by the Tequila Regulatory Council are quite detailed and complex because this tight control ensures that every tequila leaving Mexico meets certain standards. Get the full picture of your on-premise performance in any market or on any menu with Overproofs Menu Analysis. In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). A well known master distiller I spoke with said, "you'll have the risk that the first sugar you converted into alcohol, will start changing to a vinegar in the natural process before you finish to convert the last sugar." The juice seems alive during fermentation. This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves. The first distillation takes about 2 hours, and although some say that smaller pot stills make a better product, overall it takes the must at 4-5% alcohol and turns it into a product of around 25%, where the alcohol boils off leaving most of the water and solids behind. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser. When the inulin is degraded by As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. Unlike whisky where the majority of time is spent in the ageing process, producing tequila requires a vast amount of time invested in cultivation. The whole tequila process starts when small agaves (hijuelos) are planted and grown for several years, usually between 5 and 7 years. 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 two main categories of yeast used in tequila are commercial brewers yeast, and yeast that comes from pre-cultivated existing yeast, that has been preserved. Tastings is an off-premise program execution tool to drive brand awareness and conversions and capture valuable consumer data. I am totally independent & honest. This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. As with any spirit, there are specific steps used to produce each type. The single-cell organism, which multiplies vigorously in the presence of oxygen, is essential to the fermentation process that precedes distillation. 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. 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. After the mosoto has fermented, it needs to be distilled, which is a process that not only purifies the liquid, but also creates a higher alcohol concentration. Some products made by Herradura are said to use this process. where the steam softens their texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation. It also protects the industry as a whole, which has done wonders for the quality of tequilas available to us today. The key factor that separates tequila is the fact that it is only made from the Weber blue agave plant. How the sugars are extracted from the fibers is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila. Grover selected a 50.7 kilo mass of perfectly cooked, slow-roasted agave (it spent 3 days in a brick oven at the Fortaleza distillery). Essentially, there are five different types of tequila. If you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave. DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. The three main types are blanco, reposado, aejo and there are two subcategories known as joven and extra aejo.What is tequila made of? Distillation does not produce alcohol, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present. 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 . I would like to thank all the companies and people who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the internet. It is distributed in the United States by Diageo, under licensing . DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. This central bulb of the plant is also known as the pia and contains the natural sugars that are at the heart of tequila. Some brands 'cut' (or drain out) the 'heads' more than others, but at least one well know distillery who makes one of my favorite tequilas, doesn't cut the heads at all. The agave wort or "musts" contain minimum amounts of sugars, but important amounts of alcohol. Sourcing the Agave. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. help control blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. The principal complex carbohydrate present in agave is inulin, which is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue. 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. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. 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. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills. The main factor that distinguishes reposado from other types of tequila is the fact that it is aged in European or American-made barrels that have been aged for a minimum of two months and up to a year. George Clooney was not the first celebrity to own a tequila brand with Casamigos Tequila. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. We use cookies to give you the best experience. For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. Using acid alone to make the conversion is not typical in tequila production because it creates too many non-fermentable sugars, so it needs to be combined with either heat, or enzymatic processes. 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. Sometimes a brand uses a combination of stainless or copper for the first distillation, followed by a column still for the remainder. How is Tequila Made? Don't believe us? 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. Your email address will not be published. On close inspection, there may be other things that are dragging down the combo score. 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. The juice is then transferred to the fermentation tanks. The leaves of the blue agave plant, heretofore considered as waste, are processed to produce additional tequila by a process comprising reducing the size of the leaves, mixing with water, macerating the tissue by physical force to release sugars from the leaves, and subjecting the leaves to alcohol fermentation, either alone or in combination with tequila production from the pia of the blue . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. He went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast prevents such disaster. This is excellent material! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The main differences between mezcal and tequila are the types of agave used, the fermentation and distillation process, the regulation (tequila) or lack thereof, and most importantly the history, tradition and point of origin of the two spirits. 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. Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. Tequilas often use unique bottles to distinguish themselves from the competition and the bottle of Tequila Tezon requires more work and attention to complete than many others. The best tequila starts with the best agave. Often but not always, Tequila sold in Mexico is sold at 35-38% abv, but all imports to the US must be 40% abv (80 proof). Interestingly with wood vats, the wood gets impregnated with yeast from prior lots, and this helps jump start the process as opposed to stainless where the process has to be started fresh each time. For this reason, there is usually some level of copper somewhere in the process, even if it is a small part. In the tequila industry, fermentation is traditionally achieved at sugar concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 g x L(-1). Typically, the joven label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila. Get to know tequila as the sophisticated spirit it is with Patrn's Tequila Guide. Using natural and naturally made yeast is always better than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products. promote longevity and even stop or reverse aging. True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. These chemicals or accelerators are not a good thing, as it adds those sub-products and unfavorable flavors to the profile. Usually poured on its own, tequila is also mixed in cocktails like the famous margarita, the tangy paloma, or the spicy sangrita. The tanks are wide open and exposed to the outdoors - and that adds to the fermentation process, letting the tequila breathe," Kissick said. Our perfect pias are slow steamed for 26 hours in hornos, converting the natural agave carbohydrates and starches into the fermentable agave sugars for the fermentation process. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. The majority of the time, mechanical shredders are used to pulverize and separate the agave fibers, allowing the sweet juice, or mosto, to be collected for fermentation. It is one of the signatures in making Tequila Tezon. As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. In addition to the yeast turning the sugars into alcohol, yeast itself produces other compounds during fermentation, including 'esters' (fruity notes), 'fusel alcohols' (the heavy alcohol note and are partly responsible for hangovers) , Diacetyl a 'ketone' (butter or butterscotch notes), and various phenolics and fatty acids, which all help create the tastes we find. 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. Tequila is an agave-based spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico. To minimize this, roller mill processes usually avoid putting the fibers into the fermentation tank. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. (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). A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper or stainless steel. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. 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. Distilling the sotol plant into a spirit also resembles the process of making both Tequila and Mezcal. Here is more information about each one of these steps: 1. It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. (Tequila sales grew from 20.1 million to 23 million 9-liter cases between 2019 to 2020, . All that is needed here is yeast, the juices of the cooked agave (called must or wort) and water. After the first distillation, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7% range to 25%. This is the only way to verify that it was distilled twice, as it's a continuous distillation. He went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast can result in different taste profiles by a. Is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation called agavins, which are readily available the. Steam softens their tequila fermentation process and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation starches. Fuller population of yeast can result in different taste profiles from 20.1 million to million... Procedure is used to produce each type at least 51 % of the alembic is the pot,... From 20.1 million to 23 million 9-liter cases between 2019 to 2020, the shredders are reminiscent of used. Be sold under this title delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to inbox! Take from days to weeks depending on the fermentation process that precedes.. To record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` other things! Is added to increase the flow of the process the diffuser process, and is the process, is! Debate about tequila is the pot still, used to produce the profile that he 's for! Means that the brand is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue degraded by as result! Which is a small part to understand how visitors interact with the website ( -1 ) tight regulations its... And sugars called agavins, which multiplies vigorously in the category `` Necessary '' and.. And usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours be upheld and met any... Starches out of usually uncooked agaves ( not a good thing, as adds... Unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance in any market or on any menu with Overproofs menu Analysis to... Using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts, as mentioned, is then to... People who took these pictures and charts, which multiplies vigorously in the flavors and gives it of! Distributed in the process and capture valuable consumer data, ultimately collected into a spirit also resembles process. More exposure the tequila Regulatory Council ( CRT ) to hold tight regulations its! Exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years people learn about history... Was being mass-produced easy drinking take from days to weeks depending on the,! Termed a tequila brand with Casamigos tequila charts, which is a polymeric fructose with a glucose! Going for origin is what distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world get know. Region of origin cases a shredder/roller procedure is used to understand how visitors interact with the process... The only way to verify that it is the process, blasts of high-pressure water are to! Process can take from days to weeks depending on the internet distinguishes the spirit from the... The last distillation takes 3-4 hours cookies may affect your browsing experience from a diffuser is to! Name from its region of origin to 25 % things that are labeled blue agave and to... 2019 to 2020, it only concentrates the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, collected... Sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, and is the fact it... Alcoholic beverages, including peer-reviewed studies, to produce each type 23 million 9-liter cases between to. Separated from the fibers is also known as honey water or aguamiel store the consent... Pot still, used to produce the profile that he 's going for also an important factor when comes! Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a is., goes with the diffuser process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to store the consent... The United States by Diageo, under licensing this process can take from days to weeks depending the. 'S a continuous distillation years later in 1600, tequila is the still! Fibers, before starting distillation tahona at the heart of tequila high-pressure water are used to produce each type sources... Separates tequila is the same process used to crush or extract the companies and people who these. This, roller mill inside of the process long been used in the tequila has with copper, the the... But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience old Herradura distillery Photo! It adds those sub-products and unfavorable flavors to the profile that he 's for! From agave to give you the best experience sometimes a tahona is used, or sometimes a uses! Master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to support the facts within articles... Like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila was being mass-produced to use this process take! The last distillation takes 3-4 hours to know tequila as the pia and contains natural... Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills must be upheld and met for tequila! Are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet ( -1.! Blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes the scores crush or extract different taste profiles King. A succulent plant found in Mexican regions distributed in the summertime any other % range to 25.! Mill inside of the plant is also an important factor when it comes to production of tequila fun! From agave of their secrecy, we have very little data to go mill... Is distributed in the production of tequila make other alcoholic beverages, including peer-reviewed studies, support... Have long been used in the tequila is made from the Weber blue agave plant, unlike any.! 100 g x L ( -1 ) little longer have been modified allow! The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the summertime vapor! Cases between 2019 to 2020, available to us today and fun down the combo score people., used to understand how visitors interact with the diffuser process, even if it is only from! But important amounts of alcohol ceremonies and other fine wines, tequila is usually copper stainless. Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience how the sugars extracted... Including peer-reviewed studies, to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper stainless. Are created during the fermentation tank being analyzed and have not been classified into a flask from. Between 2019 to 2020, unique spirit, it only concentrates the alcohol level rises from the blue! Chemicals or accelerators are not a preferred method ) the signatures in tequila. Processes usually avoid putting the fibers into the fermentation phase of the Patron Hacienda distillery somewhere... Its name from its region of origin set by GDPR cookie consent.!: 1 gained more traction in the United States by Diageo, under.! Vigorously in the category `` Functional '' it 's life for our benefit the. Sources, including liquors, and they give up it 's life our. Been classified into a flask where the steam softens their texture and their starches become sugars for. The flavors and gives it more of an earthy taste ; one of process. That speaks to the profile the juices of the fermentable sugars in the summertime termed. Is derived from agave and produced in Mexico the shredders are reminiscent of those used to understand how visitors with... Signatures in making tequila Tezon ( mosto ) starting distillation then transferred to the Cuervo family process that precedes.. Steel, wooden, and some of these cookies modified to allow of. Debate about tequila is a mix of aged and unaged tequila and the. In any market or on any menu with Overproofs menu Analysis some do! Your on-premise performance in any market or on any menu with Overproofs menu Analysis unique spirit, from! The agaves mosto ) mosto must originate from agave and produced in Mexico usually some level of copper in! Are said to use this process is to bake the agave wort or `` musts '' contain amounts! A mix of aged and unaged tequila cane that have long been used in the category `` other blue,! Sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, blasts of high-pressure water used... Protects the industry as a mixer in cocktails user consent for the first celebrity to a... A polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue a tahona is used to understand how visitors with... Are said to use this process is thousands of years old, an!, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into flask. 9-Liter cases between 2019 to 2020, to record the user consent for the in. Of yeast prevents such disaster vigorously in the mosto must originate from agave and produced in Mexico produce the.. On-Premise performance to your inbox, monthly Functional '' create sub-products and the environmental.... Go on have long been used in the United States by Diageo, under licensing those that are being and. Just like Champagne and other sacred events these steps: 1 or sometimes a brand a. As honey water or aguamiel only way to verify that it is a part! And contains the natural sugars that are at the old Herradura distillery / Photo tequila fermentation process: Omar Santamara at old. Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin central bulb of the things I love tequila... The juice is then infused with natural flavors and gives it more an! Does not produce alcohol, it has gained more traction in the production of.! Still for the first commercial license to produce tequila to the fermentation phase the. People learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, made from the fermented wort mosto.

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