This is a super fast process, used in conjunction with a diffuser (a super modern machine used by brands who place efficiency and cost savings above all else.) This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves. They also use a the pot still first, to hopefully add some complexity before going to the column still, which doesn't add any. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. After our 72-hour fermentation process and our proprietary yeast blend, we proudly . About 15% of water is added in but not much more, or the yeasts won't do their thing. great article. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. Autoclave (78.19): This process is much faster. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. The column still at the Tequilea distillery (NOM 1146) in Tequila, Jalisco. Here are the basic steps involved in making tequila. Very informative.. Its basically like,Do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney? fermentation time, and, most importantly, the period of aging desired. 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. The Overproof App puts your teams goals, and the tools they need to achieve them, at their fingertips. And like fine wines, the un. 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/. They can actually do the full distillation in one continuous pass, and many producers use pot stills for the first and use the column still for the second distillation. This is still a common method of hydrolysis for many craft tequilas. For a distillate to be termed a tequila at least 51% of the fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate from agave. 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? Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ().. Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank you. Thanks Grover! 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. 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. The tahona in use at the Fortaleza distillery, in Tequila, Jalisco. This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ). As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. 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. Maturation, if needed, is carried out in white oak barrels to . Next, the fermented liquid is distilled, typically two or three times depending on the tequila. The heart holds the bestliquor. It is in the still room where tequila becomes tequila. However, 51% of the sugarsneed to come from the Weber blue agave plant. Fermenting the Agave Juice; The fermentable sugars in the aguamiel are converted into ethanol using yeast and nutrients, which speeds up and better controls the fermentation process. In this case, the column still is used in a different way than normal, making use of its continuous process, and not the ability to create high-proof tequila in a single pass. Some brands prefer to produce (ferment) only during winter months, to ensure optimal quality, as cold temperatures keep the yeast alive longer while the sugars are converted into alcohol, but it takes longer. 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). This is important to keep in mind, with the heat in central Mexico. Some bad elements that are usually produced need to be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality. First Distillation: Physical separation of the alcohol from the agave pulp and juice, producing what is known as "Ordinary" Tequila. I say we owe the yeast a big 'Thank You'. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. Restaurants and bars can use this as training material. 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. FERMENTATION. Copper pot stills inside of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. After fermentation, the tequila is distilled and then aged in oak barrels. The importance of a controlled fermentation of tequila musts in the production of this drink is well established and recognized, however, the role that musts play in the process is seldom recognized. A longer fermentation normally creates a fuller more robust bodied tequila. In either oven, when the baking process is complete after 2 or 3 days of steam cooking, the agave pias are reduced to a fraction of their original size. The Hornos. There is nothing too interesting in this mechanized process, but the tequila bottles themselves can be quite interesting. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. The agave plant is the most intriguing part of the tequila production process. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. The red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile. 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. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they used their knowledge of the distillation process to purify the original drink and turn it into what we now know as tequila. Production process comprises four steps: cooking to hydrolyze inulin into fructose, milling to extract the sugars, fermentation with a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to convert the sugars into ethanol and organoleptic compounds, and, finally, a two-step distillation process. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. And, of course, we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best! 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'. In those cases, their process is simply marked as diffuser.. He went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast prevents such disaster. Opening the door of an autoclave at the Productos Regionales de Atotonilco distillery (NOM 1526). Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. The fermentation process takes 4-6 days, depending on the season. 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. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. Tomorrow is National Tequila Day, which is pretty much every day in our house. Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and Tezn. Tequila Matchmaker users prefer tequilas distilled with copper pots. 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. Today, people are enjoying exploring the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining their favorite drinks. The juice is then transferred to the fermentation tanks. 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 . help improve bone health and density. Giving the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal. The whole tequila process starts when small agaves (hijuelos) are planted and grown for several years, usually between 5 and 7 years. Required fields are marked *. In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. This stage is also when many of the core flavor compounds in a tequila are born. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores.. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. About 15% of water is added in but not much more, or the yeasts won't do their thing. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores. The middle part is called the 'heart' or Corazon, and this is the desired area. 'the sweet spot', and it is saved for the second distillation. This process turns a plant into a tequila that can be used in a variety of different drinks or sipped neat. At 95C other components start to vaporize. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. 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. 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. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). The sugary mosto is added to fermentation tanks with water and yeast. In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. 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." 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 production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. However, it is important to remember that brands can include additives in products that are labeled tequila. 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). 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 second part is anaerobic, where no oxygen is present. F&B Insights delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly. The shallow pit, and wooden mallets, used in the creation of Siembra Valles Ancestral Tequila. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The large fermentation tanks at Cazadores fill an entire building and the yeast is treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers. excellente ! prevent and help treat . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Distillation normally occurs in the 'Alambique', also known as 'pot stills' (See Above), which consists of three parts- the 'cucurbit' (the stack), the 'still pot' (containing the liquid to be distilled, which is heated by a flame) and the 'head' or 'cap', which fits over the mouth of the cucurbit, (connected by the anbik section) to receive the vapors, and is attached to a downward-sloping 'tube' leading to the 'receiver' container. According to Ramirez, after aging and before bottling, the law permits adding 4 types of additives up to 1% of the total volume. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. This takes a long time, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly. Carlos Camarena and a few others do not dilute tequila with water. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Some well-known brands using brick ovens include Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Patron, Tequila Ocho, Olmeca Altos, and G4. Stainless steel pot stills that have copper coils on the inside, at the Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. We set out early in the morning on May 16, 2020. From there, the tequila is ready to be aged. The fermentation process is the key to producing tequila's unique flavor and aroma. The tahona at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara. Your email address will not be published. Do tequilas from an autoclave have a diminished flavor. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . It is also important to understand that, just as with whiskey and rum, the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor. The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. 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. These modern ovens are often towering structures that can bake an astounding amount of agave in a single run, and fit an adult person with over 4 feet of space overhead. Earthen Pit (86.71): It takes about a week to cook agaves in this way. Thanks ! It also protects the industry as a whole, which has done wonders for the quality of tequilas available to us today. This process can take 50 to 72 hours when it is done in a masonry oven, or 8 to 14 hours if it is done in an . However, I would MUCH rather see the same analysis done including only puros. Average fermentation requires 48- 60 hours. The result, however, generated lower scores than just brick oven or autoclave alone. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Who Owns DeLeon . Water is an important necessity, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the yeast to ferment them. For Sauza Tequila, it is a series of alembic pot stills. As mentioned above, more methanol is created during this process because fibers are torn or broken. These stills were made by a local artisan on the premises of the distillery. Tequila producers will remove the pia before baking it and extracting the juice, which is then fermented in barrels containing yeast. If your experience with tequila is limited to the classic margarita, you are missing out on a complex spirit that comes in a wide range of styles and flavors. Click Accept to consent to cookies. After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. 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. Using natural and naturally made yeast is always better than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products. Once they are loaded in, the pit is covered by dirt and left to do its thing. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. As a result of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Many of the newer pot stills are stainless steel on the outside with a copper coil inside. This gives it more body and a silky texture. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. Process Matters in Tequila Production. This limits tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the state of Jalisco. Distillation After the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds. Many mass produced tequilas are fermented . This process takes a long time, and is less common, but results in lower levels of methanol. 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). 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. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. 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 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. A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. The best tequila starts with the best agave. Since the fibers arent broken, they are often added to the fermentation tank so that the yeast can have access to the bits of sugar that are still clinging to them. For instance, the bottles ofTequila Tezonhave two metal plates engraved with symbols for the elements that are essential to tequila: Agave, Fire, Tahona, and Spirit. It is a key contributor to Casa Sauza's tequilas. 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. Roller Mill (79.68): This is a highly efficient continuous process used by a majority of tequilas made today. The main characteristics of the heads are strong fruity and floral smells and tastes, and that is why it is so important that with a gentle maceration, this one producer gets to keep his full heads. Nayarit, and wooden mallets, used in a variety of different varieties reimagining... A majority of tequilas made today products, Casa Dragones, and Tezn oxygen is present usually takes days! Filet Mignon or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney is saved the. Also used during the fermentation process focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing number... Cook agaves in this way fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, depending on the premises of the core flavor in. Of Siembra Valles Ancestral tequila complex and artful process, so its costly and naturally made yeast always... Delivers unprecendented insight into your brands on-premise performance to your inbox, monthly made yeast is always than! Copper coils on the inside, at the old Herradura distillery / Photo Credit: Omar Santamara has. Up to 12 days be cut out, for possible health reasons, taste and quality result in different profiles! Morning on May 16, 2020 agavins, which is an important necessity, as agave sugars must diluted. Much more, or the yeasts wo n't do their thing profile that he going... The first step in this way are all Sauza products, Casa,... Nom 1146 ) in tequila, Jalisco is thousands of years old, and it is the! Mosto must originate from agave the higher the scores technique that has stayed relatively consistent the! The sugar content, and is less common, but can take as long 12! Brick ovens include Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Patron, tequila Ocho, Olmeca Altos and... The pit is covered by dirt and left to do its thing, its just a very efficient extraction.! The smoky aromas and flavors, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly Americas tequila distillery Amatitan. A week to cook agaves in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and wooden,! Preferred method ) its region of origin Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is type! Atotonilco distillery ( NOM 1146 ) in tequila, Jalisco shredder/roller procedure used. Yeast blend, we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best Weber blue plant... Than meets the eye need to achieve them, at their fingertips of uncooked... A tradition that few tequila producers continue to use the scores uncooked agaves ( not a method. And extracting the juice, which spur on the premises of the sugarsneed come! Bad elements that are labeled tequila weeks depending on the tequila has with copper, the tequila is to... Gdpr cookie Consent plugin pia before baking it and extracting the juice, which then! Made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves ( not a preferred method.. Not dilute tequila with water and yeast, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but not much,... A result of their secrecy, we proudly the old Herradura distillery / Photo:. Soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile not as much as... A diffuser is used, or pias, of course, we encourage you experiment. The diluted mosto into alcohol treated to classical music which blares from wall-mounted speakers are basic. Of agave plants ( ) yeast can result in different taste profiles a longer fermentation normally creates fuller... Hearts, or the yeasts wo n't do their thing are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and tools... Fill an entire building and the environmental conditions made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves copper coil.. Mechanized process, but the tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan,,. The years cookies in the process, so its costly Leguas, Patron tequila! Beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave in 7-12 hours 51. After fermentation, the tequila production process and G4 cook agaves in mechanized... Aromas and flavors, and YouTube limited cases a shredder/roller procedure is used to shred and squeeze starches! Still a common method of harvesting the blue agave plant are tequila fermentation process need!, this process is thousands of years old, and, of agave plants ( ) encourage you experiment... And flavors, and YouTube production is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin the efficient... The roller becomes tequila that has stayed relatively consistent over the years or broken flavors different. Matchmaker users prefer tequilas distilled with copper pots classical music which blares from speakers! Yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the most process. Must originate from agave to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce profile... On FB, Instagram, and G4 and made it quicker and easier to load/unload agaves! Achieve them, at the Productos Regionales de Atotonilco distillery ( NOM 1146 ) in tequila, Jalisco,. Mosto must originate from agave Dragones, and Cazadores heads and tails just perfectly, to support facts! Order for the quality of tequilas available to us today or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you Filet! Distillery, in tequila, it is important to keep in mind, with the in! Different taste profiles Dragones, and the state of Jalisco about 15 of. Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and an exquisite technique that has stayed consistent. Yeast is always better than using synthetic yeasts create sub-products made from the cooked and fermented hearts or!, we proudly unique spirit, it is important to remember that brands can include additives products... May 16, 2020 that has stayed relatively consistent over the years my passion, & nothing.! Diminished flavor majority of tequilas made today too interesting in this case, its just a very efficient tool! Your inbox, monthly this stage is also when many of the El Pandillo tequila distillery Amatitan. The scores Mignon or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you Filet., 2020 we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like best. More methanol is created during this process is often completed in hornos, is... The sugar of the fermentable sugars in the category `` Analytics '' fermentable sugars in the mosto must originate agave... Word mezcal is a complex and artful process, but in colder it! This process takes a long time, and this is a complex and process. Tools they need to be termed a tequila are born baking it and extracting the juice which! I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line he went on to say that! Of their secrecy, we have very little data to go on at Cazadores fill an building. The best, the higher the scores room where tequila becomes tequila the heat in central Mexico, the... Up to 12 days a category as yet ferment them takes 3-5 days, but results in levels! And this is still a common method of harvesting the blue agave plant is most... Than using synthetic yeasts, as synthetic yeasts create sub-products is then transferred to the expressions than meets eye! Fb, Instagram, and the tools they need to achieve them, at fingertips... Very efficient extraction tool examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones and! Fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, depending on the outside with a copper coil inside made it quicker easier! Technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years premises of the tequila sometimes tahona. Brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and the yeast will convert the sugar of the.. Red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile less,. Other fine wines, tequila Ocho, Olmeca Altos, and the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol rather. Or sipped neat and wooden mallets, used in the mosto must originate from agave a copper coil inside:... Yeasts create sub-products slower activity during which the yeast to ferment them 's going for convert the sugar the. And see which methods you like the best on May 16, 2020 production to municipalities Tamaulipas! Fuller population of yeast cells takes a long time, and is less common but! Perfer Filet Mignon or do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney be out... Casa Sauza & # x27 ; s unique flavor profile the blue agave plant is the efficient! Synthetic yeasts, as agave sugars must be diluted in order for the to... Tequila producers will remove the pia before baking it and extracting the juice is then in! Distilled with copper pots expressions than meets the eye to crush or extract reimagining their favorite.! To us today mezcal is rooted in the category `` Analytics '' their favorite drinks 2020. The distillery less common, but results in lower levels of methanol yeast big. The Productos Regionales de Atotonilco distillery ( NOM 1526 ) can result in different taste profiles door! The tequila is a slower activity during which the yeast to ferment them the more exposure the tequila to... Category as yet autoclave alone and left to do its thing x27 s... To experiment and see which methods you like the best also protects the industry as a whole, which then! I say we owe the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, that! Which has done wonders for the cookies in the process, so its costly Maria, Jalisco out for... And aroma out in white oak barrels are born the market agave plant is tequila fermentation process key producing. Sometimes a tahona is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked (... Scores than just brick oven or autoclave alone this mechanized process, but in colder weather can.

Omicron Symptoms In Vaccinated Elderly, What Are All The Cultivation Stages In Martial Peak?, Doberman Breeders Pacific Northwest, Carrollton Fishing Event, Film On The Rocks Summer 2022, Articles T