Discovering the Ancient Origins of Tequila

Tequila's Roots: A Brief History

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Published in 09-18-2024

The history of tequila is a fascinating journey that dates back to pre-Hispanic times and was radically transformed by the arrival of the Spanish. Mexican indigenous people already produced fermented drinks from agave, but it was with the introduction of distillation techniques by the Europeans that tequila was born as we know it today.

The first agave drinks in Mexico
Since ancient times, agave (the plant from which tequila is obtained) has been a fundamental plant in Mexican culture, providing a wide variety of resources, including drinks. Below, I present some of the first drinks made from agave:

1. Octli
This was the national drink of the ancient mexicans and was obtained from the fermentation of agave. Pulque, which we know today, is its direct descendant.

2. Mezcal
Although the exact origin of the name is uncertain, mezcal is a beverage distilled from agave. Its production dates back to pre-Hispanic times, although its production method was perfected with the arrival of the Spanish and their distillation techniques.

It is important to note that the production of alcoholic beverages from agave was a complex and ritualized process, closely linked to the religious beliefs and social life of ancient Mexican civilizations.

Traditional process:
1-Agave harvest: The ripe blue agave pineapples, which are the heart of the plant, were selected.
2-Cooking: The pineapples were cooked in traditional ovens, known as stone ovens, where they were heated with wood for several days. This process broke down the natural sugars in the agave.
3-Extraction of the must: Once cooked, the pineapples were crushed to extract the must, a sweet and thick liquid.
4-Fermentation: The must was placed in large wooden or clay containers to ferment naturally. During this process, the sugars were converted into alcohol.

Agave, a pre-Hispanic treasure
The agave, beyond being the base of such emblematic drinks as tequila and mezcal, has had a wide range of uses throughout the history of Mexico.

1- Food and Drink: Since ancient times, the agave was a source of food and drink. Its fermented sap, octli, was the national drink of the ancient Mexicans. Pulque, its descendant, is still appreciated in many regions.
2- Construction Material: Agave leaves were used to build roofs and walls of houses, while its fibers were used to make ropes, nets and other utensils.
3- Medicinal Use: The maguey or agave had healing properties and was used to treat various ailments.
4- Religious Symbolism: It was considered a sacred plant, associated with the goddess Mayahuel, a symbol of fertility and abundance. It was used in religious rituals and ceremonies.

From Agave to Glass: The Journey of Tequila

The arrival of the Spanish and the evolution of tequila

With the Spanish conquest, new technologies and knowledge were introduced to America, including distillation. The Spanish, upon learning about the fermented drinks of the indigenous people, experimented with them and discovered that they could obtain more alcoholic drinks with different flavors through distillation.

The combination of indigenous knowledge about agave and Spanish distillation techniques gave rise to tequila. However, tequila as we know it today, with its designation of origin and specific regulations, is a relatively recent product.

The main changes brought about by the arrival of the Spanish
a) Distillation: This process allowed for obtaining more alcoholic drinks with more concentrated flavors. Distillation is a technique that separates the components of a liquid mixture by boiling and condensation.
b) Stills: Stills were introduced, distillation equipment that allowed better control of the process and obtaining higher quality products.
c) Maturation in barrels: The practice of maturing tequila in oak barrels, also introduced by the Spanish, brought complexity and smoothness to the drink.

The agave, or maguey as it's commonly known in Mexico, is a succulent plant of great cultural and economic importance to the country. Its fleshy, spiny leaves arranged in rosettes are distinctive features.

The Evolution of Tequila Over the Centuries

Over the centuries, tequila has evolved and become one of the most recognized spirits worldwide. Factors that have influenced its evolution include:

1- Industrialization: Tequila production went from artisanal to industrial, which allowed for increased production and distribution nationally and internationally.
2- Regulations: Rules and regulations were established to guarantee the quality and authenticity of tequila.
3- Denomination of Origin: The Tequila region, in Jalisco and other areas, was delimited as the only ones authorized to produce tequila.
4- Variety of tequilas: Different types of tequila were developed, from white to aged, each with its own characteristics and flavors.

What are the tequila regions in Mexico?
Jalisco: It is the heart of tequila production. Most of the tequilas we know are produced in this state, especially in the Tequila region, which gives the drink its name.
Nayarit: It borders Jalisco and also has a significant production of tequila agave, especially in the Los Altos de Nayarit region.
Michoacán: High quality tequila is produced in the state of Michoacán, mainly in the Los Altos de Michoacán region.
Guanajuato: In this state, the regions of San Francisco del Rincón and San Felipe are known for the production of tequila.
Tamaulipas: Although to a lesser extent than the other states, Tamaulipas also has tequila-producing regions.

These regions share geographical and climatic characteristics ideal for the cultivation of agave tequilana, the variety of agave used to produce tequila. The volcanic soil, the semi-arid climate and the altitude are key factors that influence the quality of the agave and, therefore, the final tequila.

Trends and News in the World of Tequila
Tequila has experienced exponential growth in its popularity worldwide in recent years, becoming one of the most appreciated and demanded spirits. This boom is due to various factors, such as the growing sophistication of consumers' palates, the quality of premium tequilas and innovative proposals from producers.

1- Premium Tequila
2- Creative cocktails
3- Sustainability
4- Consumer experiences
5- Innovation in flavors

Tequila has ceased to be a traditional drink to become a global product with great growth potential. Its versatility, quality and the growing sophistication of consumers' palates have positioned it as one of the most interesting spirits of the moment.

Characteristic	Tequila	Mezcal
Agave Used	Exclusively agave azul tequilana	More than 30 types of agave, such as espadín, tobalá, madrecuixe
Production Process	More industrialized, with masonry ovens and controlled fermentation	More artisanal, with earthen ovens and spontaneous fermentation
Flavor	Generally smoother, with citrus and herbal notes. Sometimes cooked agave notes.	More complex and smoky, with earthy and fruity flavors that vary depending on the type of agave.
Denomination of Origin	Restricted to certain regions of Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas)	Less restricted, produced in various states of Mexico
Maguey Worm	Not an essential ingredient	Sometimes used as decoration, but does not influence the flavor
Aging	Can be blanco (unaged), reposado (aged in oak barrels), añejo (aged for longer), or extra añejo	Can be joven (unaged), reposado, or añejo

The ancient mexicans already took advantage of the benefits of the Agave plant, and their traditional process for making Tequila was the harvesting of the agave, cooking, extraction of the must and fermentation. With the arrival of the Spanish, they introduced sophisticated distillation methods where a liquid with a higher alcohol content was obtained, tequila.