Tip 1: What drinks are made from cactus
Tip 1: What drinks are made from cactus
Mexicans are famous for their nationalalcoholic drink - tequila, which is made from cactus "blue agave". In addition to tequila, this cactus is used for cooking and other beverages that have become famous throughout the world for their unique taste and killer effect. What kind of drinks are these and why do Mexicans make them from cactus?
Instructions
1
The agave plant was first brought to Mexico withThe Antilles. Local Indians called it "mexcametl" - later this name was transformed into a well-known "mezcal". For the Aborigines, the agave was almost a divine plant, which they revered as an early incarnation of the Indian goddess Maihaheul, who had four hundred breasts, through which her four hundred children fed her. Indians used agave not only for making alcohol - its leaves resembling hemp fiber, perfectly suited for the production of paper, clothing, ropes and sleeping mats.
2
The word "tequila" modern linguists believea term invented by the ancient Nahuatl people, which historically inhabited the lands of ancient Mexico. It meant "the place of wild grasses", "the place of clever tricks" or "the place of plant harvesting" and was derived from the merging of the words tequitl (work) and tlan (place). However, some experts in the field of Mexico and its indigenous people argue that "tequila" is a distorted name for the Mexican peoples of Tiquilos or Ticuilas or Tiquilos. All these transcripts have the right to exist, as tequila lovers do not care how the name of their favorite drink is interpreted.
3
In Mexico, 136 species of thiscactus, but tequila is made only of blue agave. A rare species of wild-growing agave and some other species of it, Mexicans use for making mezcal, and also produce regional beverages such as racilla, sotol, pulque and potato. However, the most popular alcohol, made from cactus, was and remains tequila.
4
"Grandpa" of tequila is mezcal wine,which was first produced twenty years after the Spaniards arrived in the New World. It was called differently - agave wine, brandy mescal and mescal tequila, until finally the drink got its modern name. During its existence, tequila, which was a traditional home-brewing drink, has become a world-famous and popular drink that has been chaotically improved along with its Mexican homeland.
Tip 2: What Tequila Is Made of
Tequila is an alcoholic beverage that isa true pride and an integral part of Mexican culture. From Mexico, tequila is exported to other countries for many centuries. The production of the drink is carefully monitored, and the special commission - the Supervisory Board oversees the execution of the recipe.
The main product for the manufacture of tequila
The main raw material for the production of tequila isa plant called blue agave. Mexican alcoholic drink is made from agave juice, which is several times distilled in special vats.Collecting the fruits of blue agave is a responsible and very hard work. There is even a special profession "chimadore", and special skills are passed down from generation to generation.Blue agave grows mainly onhighland areas. Externally, the plant resembles cactus and pineapple. Long leaves reach a length of 2 m, in the core first develops an arrow with flowers, and then a fruit with many seeds is formed. It is noteworthy that the life cycle of the agave is limited to only three missions - first the plant develops, then blooms and forms the fruit. After these actions the agave perishes.
The process of production of tequila
To produce tequila use fruit juiceblue agave. The plant is about eight years old by the time the fetus forms. The pulp is carefully pressed, pressed, and the resulting juice is mixed with a small amount of water and special yeast. Agave juice with additives is processed twice and thoroughly cleaned. The result of such actions is getting an absolutely transparent alcoholic beverage with a strength of up to 55%. Store tequila in two ways - in metal containers or wooden barrels. By the way, it is the second way of storage that influences the appearance of a brownish shade of the drink. To reduce the strength of the manufacturers, usually use the usual method of dilution with water.Varieties of tequila
Varieties of tequila at the moment therequite a bit of. However, the main division, depending on the aging period, means the allocation of four types - Blanco (white tequila), Reposado (stored in oak barrels), Joven (tequila with caramel) and Anejo (aging time is 5 years). Detailed recipes of certain types of tequila are not disclosed.The fruit of the blue agave reaches a weight of 100 kg. Individual specimens grow up to 200 kg, but in nature they are extremely rare.
Interesting facts about tequila
During the flu epidemic in Mexico, bothsay residents of the country, traditional medicines are often replaced with tequila. Thus, there was a traditional way of using this alcoholic beverage with salt and lime. The Government of Mexico pays special attention to compliance with the rules for the production of a traditional national drink. Even special supervisory bodies have been set up in the country - the Tequila Manufacturers Association, the Regulatory Board, and the Blue Agave plantations are the property of UNESCO. It is noteworthy that the blue agave grows only in the Mexican territories.Tip 3: How Brandy Works
Brandy is a strong alcoholic beverage, made from fermented fruit or berry juice. To grape brandy includes, including a favorite by many cognac.
