In short: You can blame agave for endless fun nights—and all the drunken texts you never meant to send. Tequila, therefore, is a mezcal. Mezcal is a distilled spirit derived from fermented cooked agave. Much of the mezcal in Durango is made from an agave called duranguese (of course!) Mezcal is a type of alcohol made from the agave plant. The whole thing is then covered with agave leaves and fiber and straw mats, piled up with earth and left to roast for four days. Like tequila, it is made from the agave plant, but while tequila is made with only one type of agave, the Blue Agave or Agave tequilana weber, mezcal can be made with many different varieties of agave, though the Agave espadin is most frequently used. Made with mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, pastis and oregano, it’s both herbal and smoky. Mezcal (/ m ɛ ˈ s k æ l /, Spanish: ()) is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave.The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl mexcalli [meʃˈkalːi], … These little mezcal fun facts are explained in detail. Confused? The most common varieties of agave used for mezcal are tobaziche, tobalá, arroqueño, tepeztate, and espadín. Confused? After the piñas have been sufficiency roasted, they are crushed and mashed into a pulp. There’s a never a day more suited than National Mezcal Day (Oct. 21) to wonder: What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?They’re both made from agave, sure, but different species from different regions of Mexico—and the production process for each results in different flavors too. Mezcal is one of the oldest distilled spirits in the americas, dating back some 500 years. Mezcal is a Mexican alcoholic beverage similar to tequila that is made from the fermented juice of agave plants. It didn’t. Mezcal (or mescal) is the same as thing as tequila, but it is not tequila at all. Mezcal made from the diminutive agave coyote can be deep and dark, while those produced from agave arroqueño, the largest and slowest growing … Del Maguey is a widespread favorite among bartenders everywhere, and its Vida expression—an organic, double-distilled mezcal made from the Espadín maguey (agave plant) out of the San Luis del Rio village—is an all-around excellent spirit for sipping or mixing in cocktails. For example, with the species Agave American L. variety Oaxacensis, I find 3 sub-varieties from which mezcal is made: coyote, arroqueno, and sierra negra. The original fermentation is 104 to 106 proof but … Describing mezcal as tequila’s smoky cousin is a gross oversimplification of one of the world’s most diverse spirits categories. Unlike tequila which is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, mezcal can be made from any of the 30+ varieties of agave. The agave only flowers once in its lifetime, putting forth a tall stem from the center, and the plant dies after flowering. Mezcal can … To qualify as mezcal, it must be … To qualify as mezcal, it must be produced in … Roasting brings out the natural sugars of the agave. Much like tequila and whiskey, mezcal picks up the flavour of its container as it distills. Unlike mezcal, which can be made from a number of different agave varieties, tequila is only made with Weber’s blue agave or agave tequilana. This is where the art of the craft really shines through. After the fermentation, the mash is distilled. Mezcal can be made from more than 30 different types of agave, the most common being Espadin, Tobala and Madre Cuixtle. Read up on everything there is to know about mezcal - origins, history, and how to drink it. Or even better, pick one from our drink menu, sip it slowly, and savor all the work that’s gone into it. There are hundreds of different types of agave plants, and mezcal can be made from over 30 of these varietals. Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from cooked and fermented agave plants. Just to add a bit of complexity to the topic, there are a few other names that describe mezcals from a particular area. While mezcal can be produced anywhere in Mexico, tequila is made in the Mexican state of Jalisco (though a few exceptions do apply). Unlike mezcal, which can be made from a number of different agave varieties, tequila is only made with Weber’s blue agave or agave tequilana. That being said, it can be made from any type of wild or cultivated agave. If you’ve dined at a Mexican restaurant lately in the U.S., you may have noticed mezcal on the drink menu right near tequila. While some distillers still include the iconic caterpillar, most no longer do. The pits are then covered with plastic and a heavy coat of dirt. Some of the mezcal sold to this day is still produced from wild agave. Historically, mezcal was the first spirit to be distilled in the Americas. The world of mezcal is vast and oftentimes confusing for novice agave-spirit drinkers. Mezcal is made traditionally by harvesting the agave plant when it is close to reproduction, the plant is roasted underground in pits lined with charcoal and wood. After the second distillation, the mezcal is blended to obtain a consistent grade of alcohol. The pulp is left to ferment in large barrels and mixed with water. Mezcal's smoky flavour sets it apart from its more famous relation. Mezcal is a distilled alcohol that is made from any type of agave plant from nine states in Mexico. Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from any type of agave plant. To make Mezcal, agave is traditionally slow roasted in lava rock-lined earth pits which are heated by wood and or charcoal for about three days before being double or occasionally single distilled in pot stills made of either copper or sometimes clay. It is typical to drink mezcal out of a jicara, or gourd, made from the fruit or the calabash tree. But just as Scotch and Bourbon are both types of Whiskey, the similarities end there. Now that you have an answer to the question of what is mezcal, it has hopefully piqued your interest to try this delicious and smoky liquor. This offers unique flavors that can be quite varied (and delicious). All tequila comes from a single variety of agave: the mild-mannered blue weber. Each house has its own set of production methods, some of which have been passed down for generations. Though the worm was actually a caterpillar. The juice is fermented then distilled in clay or copper pots. Most Americans know the mezcal of Oaxaca, where Espadín agave is roasted in a hole in the ground to prepare it for distilling, resulting in a smoky spirit. Salt, pinch 1 oz lime juice.75 oz Chai Syrup* 1.25 oz Banhez Mezcal.75 oz Libelula Joven Tequila (or silver tequila of choice) 2 whole star anise for garnish Both are distilled twice. The overall production method starts with the heart of the agave plant, or piña. Here’s a fun fact: tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Mezcal can be made from more than 30 types of agave from nine Mexican states, but the majority comes from Oaxaca. You may have heard that bottles of mezcal have a worm in them. The final product depends very much on the species of agave that is used, as well as the specific distillation process. “But that’s just one of many different types of mezcal,” says Mix. Then, the mezcal is either bottled right away, for an unaged mezcal called joven or blanco, or it is left to age in oak barrels. Traditionally, mezcal is made by small-scale production houses, called, fábricas or palenques. The word Mezcal comes from the Nahuatl words “metl” and “ixcalli”, which means “oven-cooked agave.” Agaves are found in … The agave is usually harvested when it is seven or eight years old. These include include Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla and, Oaxaca. What Is Tequila Made From? Mezcal can be made from over 25 types of agave, while tequila is made only from Weber blue agave. It’s kind of like how all scotch is whiskey but not all whiskey is scotch. It is very sweet and it's often sold in markets in Mexico in chunks to be eaten, in which case the tough fiber is chewed, then discarded. Each batch is handcrafted based on different techniques that have often been passed down through generations. In my list, it counts as a type of agave from which mezcal is made if I can find a brand or credible reference that says mezcal is made from the species, variety, sub-variety or sub-species. Mezcal can be made from over 25 types of agave, while tequila is made only from Weber blue agave. The main difference is that while mezcal can be made from 50 different species of agave—either mixed into an ensamble or distilled separately—tequila can only be made from the Blue Weber variety. Mezcal is a type of alcohol made from the agave plant (like tequila). After the agave is crushed, it is placed in wooden barrels to ferment. Mezcal Fun Facts. The piñas sit in the pit for 6-8 days. Mezcal is commonly associated with the Mexican state of Oaxaca, though it is produced in several different areas throughout Mexico. According to The New York Times , the heart of an agave, or piña, is harvested from the plant and roasted in underground ovens over hot rocks. Here’s a fun fact: tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila . Its characteristic smoky flavor is imbued before fermentation when agave piñas are cooked underground. Mezcal is a distilled alcohol that is made from any type of agave plant from nine states in Mexico. This means that tequila is technically a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila. The main mezcal producer is Oaxaca state. Both mezcal and tequila are made from agave, but tequila is specifically from the blue agave (at least 51% but the better tequilas are 100% blue agave) and must come from specific regions (the state of Jalisco and a few additional limited regions in 4 other Mexican states.) In a nutshell, mezcal is a distilled alcohol made from the agave plant — much like tequila. This open-mouthed vessel is perfect for opening up the spirit to the nose and palate for tasting. Suzanne Barbezat is a freelance writer specializing in Mexican travel, culture, and food. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from more than 30 types of agave. Mezcal can be made from over 25 types of agave, while tequila is made only from Weber blue agave. The word Mezcal comes from the ancient Aztec language, Nahuatl, and means cooked agave. Mezcal is made from an array of different agaves in 13 different Mexican states. Since 1994, mezcal has been under the regulation of Mexican law that determines that agave spirit may only be labeled mezcal if it is 100% agave and made within a certain region of Mexico that comprises 9 different states. This includes tequila, which is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be … Tequila and mezcal also differ in … It features many different flavors, depending on what species of the agave plant it is made from. Some may think there's no difference between them, however, there are some key differences between the two drinks, mainly in terms of the type of agave used, the production process, and the area of Mexico where it's made. And tequila is banned from bottled with a worm of other curious additions. The relationship between the two is similar to a square and a rectangle, tequila is a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila. The word “mezcal” comes from the term mexcalli. Tequila is a type of mezcal (aka all tequila is mezcal), but all mezcal isn't tequila. Mezcal may be made from any variety of agave and in eight Mexican states, with the majority produced in Oaxaca. The word ‘mezcal’ comes from Nahuatl … Tequila is a type of mezcal (aka all tequila is mezcal), but all mezcal isn't tequila. Instagram. According to The New York Times, the heart of an agave, or piña, is harvested from the plant and roasted in underground ovens over hot rocks. Tequila and mezcal are both made from agave, so what's the difference? Mezcal has a worm from the agave plant. Mezcal is commonly associated with the Mexican state of Oaxaca, though it is produced in several different areas throughout Mexico. Mezcal has been a popular beverage in Mexico for hundreds of years although the exact origin is not determined. Sometimes a worm (. There was even a rumor that the “worm” created a hallucinogenic effect. Tequila is a type of mezcal made from one species of agave (blue weber or agave tequilana), but at least 50 species of agave have also been … Like tequila, it is made from the agave plant, but while tequila is made with only one type of agave, the Blue Agave or Agave tequilana weber, mezcal can be made with many different varieties of agave, though the Agave … In reality, this was merely a marketing tactic to get more people to try — or at least DARE to try — mezcal. That means that in reality, all other spirits made from agave are mezcals, though a lot of regulation has been placed on what can technically be classified as mezcal. To raise the alcohol percentage, mezcal is distilled twice. Mezcal is the oldest distilled spirit in the Americas, dating back some 500 years. Where It’s Produced. Mezcal can be made up of a blend of agaves (can even be a mix of 2 or more agaves still resulting in 100% agave). First, a fire is started in the base of the pit, with river stones placed on top. The roasted agave is crushed at a special grinding mill with a stone wheel pulled by a horse or mule. In many houses, this is still done by a stone wheel turned by a horse or donkey. Try These 3 Mexican Drinks Made From the Agave Plant, 48 Hours in Mystic, Connecticut: The Ultimate Itinerary, Everything to Know About Mezcal in Oaxaca, How to Buy Tequila in the Mexican Caribbean, The Origins and History of Alcoholic Drinks in 7 Popular Travel Destinations, Helly Hansen Men's Alpha Lifaloft Jacket Review, The Freshest, Silkiest Chocolate I've Ever Tasted Was at a Cacao Farm in Belize, Nightlife in Tijuana: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, 7 Dishes and Drinks to Try in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mezcal is not necessarily tequila though. When the rocks are red-hot, the ​piñas, which have been cut in half or in quarters, are placed in the pit. So Lou Bank, the founder and executive director of S.A.C.R.E.D Agave, distills the … Mezcal can be made from a number of varieties of agave, while tequila is only made with blue agave. This allows for the release of its rich sugars. The relationship between the two is similar to a square and a rectangle, tequila is a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequila. Only one type of agave plant (blue agave) makes tequila, but mezcal can be made from 11 different varieties of agave. Ingredients. Mezcal is far more complex in aromas and variety -spirit experts compare it to whisky.