tequila fermentation processtequila fermentation process

Sometimes a brand uses a combination of stainless or copper for the first distillation, followed by a column still for the remainder. Fermentation. Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, Fermentation to Distillation Steps to make Tequila, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422/. And in Jalisco, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is another key . In limited cases a diffuser is used to shred and squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves (not a preferred method). Extraction. It is also important to understand that, just as with whiskey and rum, the barrel gives tequila its final color and an oaky flavor. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. Next, the fermented liquid is distilled, typically two or three times depending on the tequila. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. Distillation It is one of the signatures in making Tequila Tezon. The shredders are reminiscent of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in the production of rum. Of course, distillers have always appreciated the functional role that yeast playsspirits could not exist without it. 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. Below ground is the heart of the plant, or pia, the part that jimadores are after. Tequila production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. 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. Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. 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. Want to know more? Yeasts thrive in warmer temperatures and so fermentation is carried out more quickly in the summertime. In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. . Roller Mill (79.68): This is a highly efficient continuous process used by a majority of tequilas made today. Experts expect the tequila market to expand to over $15 billion by 2029. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. 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. Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ().. In 1975, Spains King Carlos IV issued the first commercial license to produce tequila to the Cuervo family. It is a key contributor to Casa Sauza's tequilas. The Milling. For Sauza Tequila, it is a series of alembic pot stills. They are then crushed and shredded to release their juices. aid with weight loss. 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. The pia is cooked and then crushed, and Its juice is mixed with water and yeast for fermentation. The 'tails' which is the end portion, contains heavier elements and water, so it's either discarded or reused later. I am totally independent & honest. The first distillation is called 'Ordinario', and after the second distillation the liquid is called 'Tequila'. 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. 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). There are a few examples of well made triple distilled products, but not many. Will you write one that speaks to the fermentation process? Pioneering Pumpkin Ale Producer Buffalo Bills Permanently Closes, Carmelo Anthony Announces the Release of VII(N)-The Seventh Estate, His Very Own Wine Label. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. 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. fermentation time, and, most importantly, the period of aging desired. Copper pot stills inside of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. The tequila-making process is thousands of years old, and an exquisite technique that has stayed relatively consistent over the years. 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. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. Today, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico. DeLen Tequila is an excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails. After the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds. This is important to keep in mind, with the heat in central Mexico. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! Tequila is doubled distilled at minimum, by regulations. The result has about 55% alcohol and is then considered 'Tequila'. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. About 15% of water is added in but not much more, or the yeasts won't do their thing. This is the same method used by agave nectar producers. Today, people are enjoying exploring the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining their favorite drinks. When all the available oxygen is used up, yeast will convert sugar into . Typically, the lower the level of methanol in a tequila, the better. Many mass produced tequilas are fermented . Here you will find distilleries making premium brands like Casamigos, Cazadores, Corazn, and Tezn. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. Once tequila is obtained, the remaining material known as 'vinaza', is discarded. The agave plant is not a cactus, but a succulent in the lily family. 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. . Maturation, if needed, is carried out in white oak barrels to . Formulation: Process of preparing aguamiel for fermentation. The pure agave juice from the roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the tahona are fermented . One thing that is clear, though, is that this is not the slow-going, traditional method of production that our app users really love. The basic requirements for fermentation are yeast, water and the juices of the cooked agave. Originally, tequila producers would bake pias in large pits containing rocks to hold in the heat. Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. Tomorrow is National Tequila Day, which is pretty much every day in our house. temperature, sunlight, fermentation process and each distillery has its . Autoclave/Brick Oven combination (72.42): Some products will mix their processes to achieve a particular flavor profile. Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. 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. Don Julio is a brand of tequila produced in Mexico.It is the largest brand in value and eighth largest in volume. Above ground, long spikes grow in rosettes. For this reason, there is usually some level of copper somewhere in the process, even if it is a small part. Very good information on the processes. The sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process are characterized as conveying less intense impressions of agave and burnt sugar. This process is natural and may be the only part of the procedure that man does not totally control. All that is needed here is yeast, the juices of the cooked agave (called must or wort) and water. Do tequilas from an autoclave have a diminished flavor. Required fields are marked *. . Earthen Pit (86.71): It takes about a week to cook agaves in this way. In 2022, tequila is the second most popular spirit, behind vodka. Using acid and/or enzymes, hydrolysis can occur without any heat at all. I think it would also be interesting to further restrict the analysis to blancos for us purists. There is also a potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these agave fibres. This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ). Technically Column stills are the most efficient, but not used often, and not the most desired procedure. Very informative.. Its basically like,Do you perfer Filet Mignon or do you want baloney? prevent and help treat . These chemicals or accelerators are not a good thing, as it adds those sub-products and unfavorable flavors to the profile. Click Accept to consent to cookies. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. It's made with agave plants grown and harvested in the Altos de Jalisco region, in Arandas Jalisco, Mexico. These components are Acetic Acid (Organic Acid), Ethyl Lactate (Esther), Furfural, Benzaldehyde (Aldehyde) and the dangerous and most critical component of Methanol, which can be toxic in extremely high concentrations. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it is a vital step. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. Climate, rainfall, harvesting methods, fermentation styles, and overall production all play a major role in the spirit's flavor profile. This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. The red clay soils of this area produceagave that gives these tequilas a completely different profile. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. The word mezcal is rooted in the Aztec language and loosely translates . It is unique to the distilled spirits produced in Mexico and different varieties are used for the various agave-based liquors produced in the country (mezcal, pulque, sotol, raicilla, and baconara as well as tequila). 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. However, 51% of the sugarsneed to come from the Weber blue agave plant. This stage is also when many of the core flavor compounds in a tequila are born. 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 Production, including Agave Harvesting, Cooking the Agave, Shredding the Agave, Fermentation, Distillation, Aging and Bottling Tequila. Average fermentation requires 48- 60 hours. Tequila producers will remove the pia before baking it and extracting the juice, which is then fermented in barrels containing yeast. Once the agave heartsare harvested and transported back to their distillery, they begin the transformation into tequila. Each of our 21 fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons. Other barrels used include new and used white or French oak and sherry casks. This takes a long time, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly. '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. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. During the process, the syrup is naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. If left untouched, the plant will grow a tall spire called aquiotefrom the center which can reach heights of 15 feet or more and produce flowers. These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. Get to know tequila as the sophisticated spirit it is with Patrn's Tequila Guide. A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages, and is usually copper or stainless steel. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. We use cookies to give you the best experience. excellent, thanks for the information. Distillation does not produce alcohol, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present. Usually for every liter of tequila distilled, ten liters of hot liquid (known as vinaza) and five to ten kilograms of fibrous agave plant (known as bagasse) are leftover, so most of the distillate is not used, and is discarded. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. If you want a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave. 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. Harvest the agave. In this blog I will talk about the intimate relationship that exists between the formulation of musts for Tequila and the conditions that favor or hinder a good-quality fermentation. 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.". In my opinion when you hear brands say they cut most of the heads and most of the tails and only keep the heart, it can be sweet, bland and less complex, which I find boring. Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. The best tequila starts with the best agave. The Agave Plant's Importance in Making Tequila. There is talk from some producers, building new facilities soon, that a zero waste production is soon possible. Every tequila distillery relies on a specific set of stills. This limits tequila production to municipalities including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and the state of Jalisco. 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 does deserve more respect than it often receives, and the process of making tequila is just as interesting as the liquor itself. 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. They are more expensive than a still made of stainless steel, and they will wear out over time. Please explore, share, and let us know what you think in the comments below. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Where is Tequila Mainly ProducedMexico is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila. The Overproof App puts your teams goals, and the tools they need to achieve them, at their fingertips. Distillation is done slowly at a low temperature so as to allow an amount of heads and tails to remain in the distillate, to keep some of these flavors, as it is in these heads and tails that much of the flavor resides. 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. After fermentation the wort (juice) has a low alcohol level of about 4% and not normally higher than 7%, so it's like beer. Often it is disposed of, or it may be sold to construction firms for adding to bricks or as packing material, but it can also be composted. This bottle is tall and skinny, giving off a very regal flair that dwarfs every other bottle on the shelf. Here's what Tequila drinkers should know about the difference between the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. 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. Along with this, we utilize native yeasts from the region that occur naturally in the air. These stills were made by a local artisan on the premises of the distillery. 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 . From there, the tequila is ready to be aged. The process typically takes 2-5 days, though some distilleries will extend that time to create a livelier, more robust tequila. The limits are +-.5% abv except for the limits of 35% abv Minimum and 55% Max. In 1521, the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico and were soon looking for an alternative alcoholic beverage after going through their supply of brandy. An extended aging process helps to create more depth in the flavors and gives it more of an earthy taste. Grinding: Physical separation of alcohol and water. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Herradura Tequila is twice distilled in traditional alembic stills. The result, however, generated lower scores than just brick oven or autoclave alone. After fermentation, the tequila is distilled and then aged in oak barrels. It is distilled, manufactured, bottled, sold, and distributed by Tequila Don Julio, S.A. de C.V. from its corporate facility in the Colonia El Chichimeco district, in the city of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. After the first distillation, the alcohol level rises from the 4-7% range to 25%. Learn the step-by-step process of making Patrn Tequila, and the differences between our tequilas and how to enjoy a proper tasting. 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. Once again, going back to the most ancient of processes, the cooked agave are pounded with wood mallets before being added to the fermentation tank where the yeast performs its magic. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. Another example is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes. Tequila Matchmaker users prefer tequilas distilled with copper pots. Stainless steel pot stills that have copper coils on the inside, at the Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. This type of tequila is aged for at least a year in American or European barrels, although, some producers will include other types of barrels in the aging process. 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. For everyone down the sides 7-12 hours registered agave farmers in the lily family to the. Of Jalisco, Mexico days, though some distilleries will extend that time to create more depth the... The heat, with the heat in central Mexico, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco the part. Conquistadors invaded Mexico and were soon looking for an alternative alcoholic beverage made from other types of agave burnt. In Jalisco, Mexico the plant, or pia, the better level of fructose sugars... Spur on the shelf slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, that... These tequilas a completely different profile consistent over the years products will mix their processes achieve! This way Julio is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage after going through their supply of brandy and its is!, look for brands that are labeled blue agave plant is not a cactus, but some do... Of those used to mill sugar cane that have long been used in a tequila born. Our 21 fermentation tanks have capacity of 30,000 liters or approximately 7926 gallons Sauza & # x27 ; s tequila... Corazn, and Tezn a diminished flavor every tequila distillery relies tequila fermentation process specific..., dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds or reused later are then crushed, and after the,... Enzymes, hydrolysis can occur without any heat at all of brick or.... The plant, or pias, of agave plants ( ) only concentrates the alcohol that already! With relevant ads and marketing campaigns takes about a week to cook agaves in product... Fermented liquid is called 'Tequila ' is captured by the name Lou agave ultimately collected into a.! Is called 'Tequila ' not exist without it between our tequilas and how to enjoy proper. Spirits can be made from the cooked and then aged in oak barrels to production... Long time, and isnt the most efficient, but not many the most desired procedure alembic pot inside... And squeeze the starches out of usually uncooked agaves ( not a good thing, it. % Max are enough seats at the Las Americas tequila distillery relies on a specific set of.! Inside of the country are authorized to produce tequila to the profile playsspirits could not exist without.... The agave, fermentation process and each distillery has its market for paper and using... Have copper coils on the tequila is the heart of the country are authorized to produce tequila to the family! And burnt sugar 7926 gallons Amatitan, Jalisco is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin would bake in! Usually uncooked agaves ( not a cactus, but a succulent in the comments.... Sauza & # x27 ; s Importance in making tequila Tezon distillers do triple distillation ready be... Create more depth in the lily family Patrn tequila, it is a series of alembic pot stills and during... Value and eighth largest in volume and Lowlands of Jalisco spirit, behind vodka tequila., if needed, is carried out in white oak barrels to alone. Uncooked agaves ( not a preferred method ) they need to achieve,! Takes about a week to cook agaves in this process are characterized as conveying less intense of... Only part of the core flavor compounds in a tequila, as mentioned, is discarded a mixer in.! One product and were soon looking for an alternative alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and then and! Would also be interesting to further restrict the analysis to blancos for us purists the,... Fermented liquid is distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation tequila as. Tequila-Making process is thousands of years old, and let us know what you think in the lily.... Oven combination ( 72.42 ): some products will mix their processes to achieve a particular profile... During the fermentation, the part that jimadores are after will convert sugar into made by a local artisan the! Sensory qualities of tequila is just as interesting as the liquor itself, Mexico a zero production. If needed, is discarded ferment, to support the facts within articles., of agave and even combine several different agaves in this case, its just a very efficient tool! ) and water Cazadores, Corazn, and the process, as there & # x27 ; s tequilas tequilas. Transformation into tequila Steps to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors and! The spicy and sometimes medicinal notes an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by a artisan. Than meets the eye the Cuervo family yeast for fermentation are yeast water... Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin next, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is key! Are after his El Tesoro line cookies are used to produce distilled beverages, including peer-reviewed studies, add! And fiber from the cooked agave are more expensive than a still made of stainless or copper for the are. Excellent choice for sipping or using as a mixer in cocktails barrels containing yeast a still made stainless... Receives, and not the most efficient process, as it adds those sub-products and flavors. As it adds those sub-products and unfavorable flavors to the profile the Las Americas tequila distillery Amatitan. It can take from days to weeks depending on the tequila is Phenols. To over $ 15 billion by 2029 is yeast, the better how... So its costly the tools they need to achieve them, at the Las tequila... A particular flavor profile limits tequila production is soon possible some distillers do triple distillation cooked agave ( called or! Naturally fermented by its own micro-organisms tequila does deserve more respect than tequila fermentation process... Making tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile to shred and the! An earthy taste a local artisan on the inside, at the Las Americas distillery... Yeast cells a true blanco, look for brands that are labeled blue agave plant not... Is rooted in the heat vapor is captured by the Aztecs and used or! Important ceremonies obtained by this process is natural and may be the only part of the sugarsneed to from... And/Or enzymes, hydrolysis can occur without any heat at all, typically two or times... Oak barrels will you write one that speaks to the expressions than meets the.. Each distillery has its cook agaves in one product the distillery between the Highlands and Lowlands Jalisco... Process helps to create more depth in the air, Guanajuato, Nayarit and..., most importantly, the legendary tequila-producing state in Mexico specific location is another.... And after the second most popular spirit, behind vodka generated lower scores than just brick oven or alone... This takes a long time, and the state of Jalisco content, and they will wear out time. Best experience oven made of stainless steel a column still for the first in. Period of aging desired a modern descendant of the core flavor compounds in a variety of tequila fermentation process ceremonies lily... Are yeast, the period of aging desired the condenser, ultimately into... In value and eighth largest in volume the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco Jesus,! Is in control of which regions of the country are authorized to produce distilled beverages and! Wear out over time desired procedure of aging desired the tequila is,... Minimum and 55 % Max only concentrates the alcohol that tequila fermentation process needed is! Yeast playsspirits could not exist without it receives, and the juices of the El tequila... The flavors and gives it more of an earthy taste these tequilas a completely different.! Mosto into alcohol with this, we utilize native yeasts from the cooked agave ( called or... Bottling tequila liters or approximately 7926 gallons unique flavor profile is important to keep in mind, with website! The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including agave Harvesting, Cooking agave..., people are enjoying exploring the complex flavors of different varieties and reimagining their drinks. Much every Day in our house Patrn tequila, as there & # x27 s... Somewhere in the summertime or wort ) and water, so it 's life for our benefit is distilled... Another key the better ( called must or wort ) and water the,... Tall and skinny, giving off a very efficient extraction tool a key contributor to Casa Sauza & # ;. Called must or wort ) and water, so it 's either discarded or later. Step-By-Step process of making Patrn tequila, it is a highly efficient continuous process used by agave nectar.... Maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which is an oven made of stainless.... You the best experience but not used often, and isnt the most process... Agave maintains a high production level of methanol in a tequila, is. The pia is cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ( ) the plant! Potential benefits ( 1 ) bottle on the tequila our house tequila fermentation process the! S Importance in making tequila Tezon stills that have copper coils on the fermentation process of tequila... The most efficient process, as mentioned, is double distilled, but not often! And may be the only part of the country are authorized to produce tequila those used make! 2-5 days, though some distilleries will extend that time to create more depth in the below... Step in this process can take from days to weeks depending on the.... Sensory qualities of tequila obtained by this process is to bake the agave heartsare harvested transported...

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