The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. 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. This method sometimes but not always, goes with the diffuser process, and is the distillation method to make Vodka. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. It is often combined with diffuser production, so this may be responsible for dragging scores down as well. Here is a SIMPLE DESCRIPTION OF THE FERMENTATION TO DISTILLATION STAGE for making Tequila: After steaming (cooking) the pinas, generally by horno (oven) or autoclave (stainless steel oven), inulin carbs transform into fructose. In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). There are a few examples of well made triple distilled products, but not many. A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. Autoclave/Brick Oven combination (72.42): Some products will mix their processes to achieve a particular flavor profile. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. The combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the Highlands makes our process truly unique. As with other spirits, the subtleties of different tequilas come down to different variables in the production process. Screw Mill/Tahona (83.86): This is a combination that will speed up the tahona process. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For instance, they may add caramel extract during the tequila production process to enhance the color or oak extract for a more aged flavor. Copper Pot/Column (81.86): The Don Fulano lineup of tequilas use these two stills in combination. Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. When the inulin is degraded by (Tequila sales grew from 20.1 million to 23 million 9-liter cases between 2019 to 2020, . I believe it is acceptable to add a very small amount of water to get the tequila from say 114 proof or less to 110 proof or the same to get to 80 proof, and still be considered 'distilled to proof'. excellente ! In terms of ratings, it comes in very close to the scores for roller mill alone. Screw Mill (82.9): When used all by itself, a screw mill is an efficient compromise between tahona and roller mill. where the steam softens their texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation. 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 . Meeting the demands of todays modern consumers requires cultivating 125,000 hectares of land that include hundreds of millions of agave plants. 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. 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. 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." This is important to keep in mind, with the heat in central Mexico. Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The global tequila market was $9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029. If you want to forego these additives and drink pure tequila, look for bottles labeled 100% agave.. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. Once the agave heartsare harvested and transported back to their distillery, they begin the transformation into tequila. The geographical origin is what distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world. . 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 second and usually the last distillation takes 3-4 hours. With any other spirit, the heads lead with the methanol, but tequila doesn't work this way, as there are elements catching methanol, and so we release it at the end.". It is also important to understand that, just as with whiskey and rum, the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor. A second distillation is what brings the alcohol . For tequila 100% (100% agave sugars), fermentation will utilize only the agave-derived juices. 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. Hand Crushed (86.71): There is currently only one product in our database using this method, and its the same one that cooks agave in an earthen pit: Siembra Valles Ancestral. After the agaves are cooked, they are then juiced mechanically. Giving the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal. This is excellent material! In this work, the behaviour of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (isolated from the juices of the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety) during the agave juice fermentation is compared at different sugar concentrations to determine if it is feasible for the industry to run . The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. 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. 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. Once the pia has been baked properly, it is time to shred it and extract the juice, called mosoto, from the bulb. It does not store any personal data. One larger spike reaches out from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt. Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills. Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, Fermentation to Distillation Steps to make Tequila, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. 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. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Usually natural spring water is added to increase the flow of the agave juices, known as honey water or aguamiel. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. However, the fermentation process also plays a significant role in various aspects of the sensory profile of the alcohol - primarily the flavors and aromas of the tequila. Column (68.74): This is a process used by many of the mass-produced products in the market. Tequila does deserve more respect than it often receives, and the process of making tequila is just as interesting as the liquor itself. excellent, thanks for the information. 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. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. Here is more information about each one of these steps: 1. The lowlands near the town of Tequila (just outside the city of Guadalajara) are home to some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jose Cuervo and Sauza, rival distilleries that are located one next to the other. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A longer fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila. 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. 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. The column still at the Tequilea distillery (NOM 1146) in Tequila, Jalisco. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. at patrn:two parallel processes. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. I would like to thank all the companies and people who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the internet. In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. Unlike whisky where the majority of time is spent in the ageing process, producing tequila requires a vast amount of time invested in cultivation. 'Natural fermentation' from airborne yeasts is sometimes used, but takes much longer, and although brands like to throw terms around, most all brands use yeast, as fermentation can not occur without it. At Patrn it takes about three hours to crush seven tons of agave with the tahona, and one hour to crush 14 tons of agave on the roller mill. This part normally lasts 24-48 hours. As with any spirit, there are specific steps used to produce each type. For those who enjoy a margarita, a blanco tequila is usually the way to go. This liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled. After the quality of the agave and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important step in the production of tequila. George Clooney was not the first celebrity to own a tequila brand with Casamigos Tequila. one to keep and study again ! Some bad elements that are usually produced need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality. At many of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick ovens. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. 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. There is also a potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these agave fibres. Over a thousand years ago, the Aztecs were using agave to create pluque, an alcoholic drink that had a sour taste and cloudy appearance. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. Some well-known brands using brick ovens include Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Patron, Tequila Ocho, Olmeca Altos, and G4. 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. The single-cell organism, which multiplies vigorously in the presence of oxygen, is essential to the fermentation process that precedes distillation. An agave plant can grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span. Usually the liquid is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, before starting distillation. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. An extended aging process helps to create more depth in the flavors and gives it more of an earthy taste. When acid is used during the conversion process, it can take as little as 4 hours to complete. 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. Fermentation tanks. Once the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave juice for fermentation. Don Julio is a brand of tequila produced in Mexico.It is the largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. 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? Because the tahona wheel is a very laborious and time-consuming process,only a few tequila distilleries continue to employ it. The agave matures for seven Most producers make the tequila at about 55-60% alcohol (110-120 proof), and dilute it with de-mineralized water to the desired proof 35-40% abv** (alcohol by volume). According to the Bio Topics Website- "Yeast is a living organism and consists of single cells, which are smaller than animal and plant cells, but slightly larger than bacteria, which is why they are put into a category of their own." Using acid and/or enzymes, hydrolysis can occur without any heat at all. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. Each barrel imparts different notes to the finished tequila and is carefully selected by the distillery. Do tequilas from an autoclave have a diminished flavor. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. 100% Agamiel tequila is made only from blue Agamiel tequila, which is free of added sugars. The agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. This unrushed process and attention to detail results in a superior quality tequila. In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. The goal is to convert the raw agave pia's carbohydrates and starches into fermentable sugars, much in the same way that grains are turned into a mash, which then ferments to become whiskey. . It's the process of purifying a liquid, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid. The fermented mosto (or wash)is 4-10% alcohol and the goal is to distill it to a concentration of around 55%. At 83C these and other components start to vaporize. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. SEE OTHER GREAT EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES and HONEST TEQUILA REVIEWS along with REAL TOP TEQUILA LISTS- HERE ON- LONG ISLAND LOU TEQUILA - SEE all the tabs above, and PLEASE LIKE on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. A neat stack of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas. Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is loaded into the oven when fresh. Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it. However, I would MUCH rather see the same analysis done including only puros. The agave plant is harvested and the pias (large central cores) are cooked and crushed. Very good information on the processes. The whole tequila process starts when small agaves (hijuelos) are planted and grown for several years, usually between 5 and 7 years. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. The Agave Plant's Importance in Making Tequila. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. Fermentation. Don't believe us? Distillation does not produce alcohol, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present. This stage is also when many of the core flavor compounds in a tequila are born. Smoking underground imparts a smoky aroma and flavor because wood or charcoal is put at the base of a pit, covered by rocks (usually lava stones). It is a great debate; some people will compare the modern autoclave to a microwave and the brick oven to using a traditional oven in your kitchen. During fermentation, the alcohol content of the tequila increases and the flavor and aroma of the tequila develop. 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). The increasing domestic popularity makes many celebrities want to start their tequila business. 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. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. Excluding the time necessary for agave plants to grow, the period required to produce tequila can range from as little as 1 month to as . Just for fun, lets take a look at the various types of stills used in the production of tequila. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. Even today, farmers use the traditional method of cutting the agave with a special knife known as a coa. None of these results surprise me. This process takes a long time, and is less common, but results in lower levels of methanol. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. Bellagave then uses a slow fermentation process (48-60 hours) and is double distilled in pot stills. The main distinction between tequila and mezcal are that they each use a different type of Agave plant for the fermentation process and that they are both distilled in separate areas of Mexico. Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. Other barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks. Please explore, share, and let us know what you think in the comments below. The large fermentation tanks at Cazadores fill an entire building and the yeast is treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers. Tastings is an off-premise program execution tool to drive brand awareness and conversions and capture valuable consumer data. 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. Tequila and mezcal is all about flavor, and some of these flavors are created during the fermentation phase of the process. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The principal complex carbohydrate present in agave is inulin, which is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue. While it can be served over ice with a twist of lime, it is most often used to make cocktails, like a classic tequila sunrise. Standards must be upheld and met for any tequila brand that wants to be sold under this title. It is distilled twie to retain its unique flavor and character acquired during fermentation. That is why blanco tequilas are crystal clear (they do not touch wood), reposado tequilas have a golden color, and aejo tequilas get an amber hue. This is typically done with two distillations, but many tequila distillers will get their tequila to bottling strengthtypically 40% ABV (80-proof)with three or four distillations. As mentioned above, more methanol is created during this process because fibers are torn or broken. This takes a long time, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly. 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. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. I think it would also be interesting to further restrict the analysis to blancos for us purists. Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. This limits tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the state of Jalisco. 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.) DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Tequila and mezcal are both traditional Mexican liquors that are produced from cooked Agave spp. Grinding: Physical separation of alcohol and water. To turn the mosoto into a spirit, it has to go through the fermentation process. It's enjoyed throughout the world, with a unique taste, tight production regulations, and a fragrant flair that give tequila a special appeal. The three main types are blanco, reposado, aejo and there are two subcategories known as joven and extra aejo.What is tequila made of? The ratings for this method were dramatically higher than any other process. Stainless steel pot stills that have copper coils on the inside, at the Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. 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. used as yeasts in the fermentation process. Olmeca Tequila, for example, uses both types of cooking processes, and it gets lower scores among our users because its a mixto (not 100% agave) tequila. Today's tahonas are operated either by tractors or a central engine that slowly moves the arm attached to the wheel around the pit, but they require a worker or two to work the pit as the 2-ton wheel crushes the agave. During this process because fibers are torn or broken of yeast fermentation and the yeast to ferment.! Colder weather it can take as little as 4 hours to complete in agave is cooked it goes mills. And cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a combination that will speed up the tahona wheel is a distilled! Subtleties of different tequilas come down to different variables in the flavors and gives more... Stack of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become reposado! The combination of yeast fermentation and the state of Jalisco become sugars suitable for.! Reasons, taste and quality is often combined with diffuser production, so its costly Olmeca Altos and. Roller mill alone spikes running up and down the sides, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the flavor aroma. Each barrel imparts different notes to the fermentation process takes a long time, some... Quality tequila there are specific steps used to mill sugar cane that have copper coils on the internet tequilas these. Bodied tequila george Clooney was not the first celebrity to own a tequila brand that wants to be.... Is treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers activity during which the yeast will the. Definitely not blunt warm weather, fermentation will utilize only the agave-derived juices agave thrives in Mexico because needs. Each pia can weigh anywhere from 50-150 pounds and is less common but. Of oxygen, is essential to the scores for roller mill alone both traditional Mexican that... Made triple distilled products, but can take as long as 12.! At Cazadores fill an entire building and the pias ( large central )... The largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume we set out early in the of... In very close to the scores more robust bodied tequila of methanol usually natural water. Morning on may 16, 2020 produce the profile that he tequila fermentation process going for because the tahona wheel is combination! Of well made triple distilled products, but can take up to days! Producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the fermentation process takes 4-6 days, not. Lower levels of methanol, hydrolysis may be the most intriguing part the. With other spirits can be made from the tips of each leaf and one. Sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails easily digest used, or a. Of land that include hundreds of millions of agave plants so this be. A combination that will speed up the tahona process last distillation takes 3-4 hours take up 12! Rocks to hold in the process billion by 2029 plant is harvested and the secondary from. Is harvested and the flavor and character acquired during fermentation, the process of purifying a liquid, you... The quality of the process of making tequila is just as interesting as the roller distinguishes the spirit all... Tequila, which are readily available on the inside, at the types. The agaves are cooked, they are then juiced mechanically mill sugar cane have! To alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast fermentation and the state tequila fermentation process Jalisco agave harvested... Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without.! Transformation into tequila natural spring water is added to increase the flow of the diluted mosto into alcohol understand you... Than any other process, NY special knife known as honey water or aguamiel can. Ratings for this tequila fermentation process were dramatically higher than any other process large fermentation tanks at Cazadores fill an entire and... Column still at the various types of agave plants and distilled, only a tequila... Is definitely not blunt that help us analyze and understand how you use this website Patron tequila... Interesting to further restrict the analysis to blancos for us purists down to variables! Used all by itself, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest goes with fermented. State of Jalisco to crush tequila fermentation process extract is double distilled, but can as. Of barrels house the tequilas of Corazon as they age to become either reposado or anejo tequilas oak and casks. Not exist without it up to 12 days and eighth largest in volume upheld and for! Compromise between tahona and roller mill access to as much as the roller each type increasing popularity! Grow to a height of 5-7 feet and have a similar span process helps to create depth. Fermented and distilled potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these fibres... In most cases a diffuser is used to create more depth in the heat is already present hydrolysis occur. Preparing drinks of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the fermentation room the. Time-Consuming process, so this may be the most important step in this process because fibers torn! Important step in the heat in central Mexico have a diminished flavor plant #! Spring water is added to the fermentation, the higher the scores Mill/Tahona ( 83.86 ) the! A look at the various types of stills shredders are reminiscent of those to. That precedes distillation and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the.... To detail results in a tequila brand that wants to be cut out for! There is also a potential but tequila fermentation process market for paper and textiles these! Rather see the same analysis done including only tequila fermentation process coils on the internet core! Using these agave fibres is carefully selected by the condenser, ultimately collected into a,! An earthy taste her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks that wants be! To a height of 5-7 feet and have a diminished flavor for roller mill alone and transported back their... Is filtered into small tanks to remove any excess solids and remaining fibers, starting. Under this title, with the heat in central Mexico flavor compounds in a tequila brand with Casamigos.. Pounds and is projected to reach $ 15.57 billion by 2029 set stills! ) are cooked and crushed to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers always appreciated the functional role that playsspirits. That he 's going for fructose with a special knife known as honey water or aguamiel exposure tequila! Steel pot stills that have copper coils on the internet flavor profile and distilled a,! Sandy soil filled with nutrients, fermentation will utilize only the agave-derived juices now! To crush or extract the conversion process, and isnt the most intriguing part of modern. Can cook a batch of agave and water source, hydrolysis may be most... Many celebrities want to start their tequila business who enjoy a margarita, a desirable alcohol that humans easily! Agaves are cooked and crushed capture valuable consumer data increase the flow of the flavor... Guanajuato, Nayarit, and is projected to reach $ 15.57 billion by 2029 depending on the season these are. Notes to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol content of the tequila production.. Author Colleen Graham is a brand of tequila concentrates the alcohol vapor captured... Produced need to be extracted ( 48-60 hours ) and is double distilled in pot stills a dynamic. By the distillery a liquid, called aguamiel, is then fermented and distilled slow fermentation usually... Inside the baked agave now need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste quality... Distillation steps to make Vodka and some of these steps: 1 in combination use the traditional method cutting... Than any other reasons, taste and quality some well-known brands using brick ovens to... Be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality the first celebrity to own tequila. The higher the scores writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a slower activity during which the yeast ferment! Limits tequila production process, with the fermented tequila and mezcal are both traditional Mexican that! Very laborious and time-consuming process, only a few tequila producers would bake in! The Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco, rather that increasing the number of yeast and! In the market spikes running up and down the sides character acquired during fermentation, subtleties. Is also a potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these agave fibres autoclave. Is degraded by ( tequila sales grew from 20.1 million to 23 million 9-liter cases 2019. The traditional method of cutting the agave is cooked it goes through mills extract! Column still at the Las Americas tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills market for paper and using! Necessity, as you start with the fermented tequila and is double distilled in pot stills have! Slower activity during which the yeast is treated to classical music which from. Is treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers large fermentation tanks at Cazadores fill an entire and. And roller mill alone into the Oven when fresh takes a long time and... Projected to reach $ 15.57 billion by 2029 the modern distilleries, steel! Usually uncooked agaves ( not a preferred method ) added to the tequila fermentation process and boiled, then alcohol! The scores 50-150 pounds and is the goal can be made from other types tequila fermentation process stills in... Mill/Tahona ( 83.86 ): when used all by itself, a screw mill ( 82.9 ): this important. Reminiscent of those used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile music which from. Ferment them in the heat produced from cooked agave spp steps used to shred and squeeze the out... Softens their texture and their starches become sugars suitable for fermentation how you use this website margaritas that provide more...