Mezcal can be made from over 30 different types of agave, but the vast majority is made from a variety known as Agave espadin. This particular kind of agave is primarily grown in Oaxaca, Mexico, a region known as the home of mezcal ( 2 ).

Where was mezcal invented?

400 years ago, when the Spanish conquerors arrived in Mexico, they taught distillation techniques to the native inhabitants and the first distilled spirit in the Americas was born: Mezcal. Mezcal can be made from 11 different types of agave that are native to Oaxaca, which is where these are mostly made.

What country is mezcal from?

15.3. 1.2 Mezcal. Mezcal is a name that comes from the nahuatl mexcalli “baked agave,” provided to traditional distilled alcoholic drinks produced in many rural areas of Mexico, from some northern states up to south states.

Why is it called mezcal?

The term mezcal is derived from the Nahuatl word for cooked agave, the paramount plant involved in the spirit's production. While its tall, spiky green leaves are an iconic emblem of mezcal, it's the piña, the rounded stem that resembles a pineapple, that's used to make the spirit.

Why do they put a worm in mezcal?

So, why is there a worm in mezcal? Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

A Brief History of Mezcal

26 related questions found

What does Joven mean in mezcal?

Joven: mezcal that is bottled immediately after distillation or aged for fewer than two months. Reposado: tequila or mezcal that's been "rested" in oak for a minimum of two months but less than a year in oak barrels. Añejo: tequila or mezcal that's been "aged" for between one and three years in oak barrels.

How is mezcal served in Mexico?

In Mexico, it's customary to be served a little botana, or snack, when you order mezcal: slices of oranges, jicama and carrot, often dusted with sal de gusano (a mix of rock salt, ground chiles and roasted ground worms). It's a nice gesture and very tasty, but in the end, think of it as just another mixer.

Is mezcal always smoky?

When it comes to mezcal, yes, there is always some level of smoke flavor to the spirit. ... The smoke in mezcal comes from how the fresh agave is cooked in order to bring out the sugars that allow for fermentation to take place. This cooking happens underground in an earthen pit.

What is tequila called when not made in Mexico?

Tequila is only produced inside the Mexican state of Jalisco and in some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Any agave-based distilled spirit outside those regions are called "mezcal." Other subtypes of mezcal you might see are Bacanora, Sotol and Raicilla.

Is mezcal legal in the United States?

By way of quick background, the three-tier system is the legal system governing the distribution and sales of not just mezcal, but all alcoholic beverages, in the United States. It has been in place for close to a hundred years, ever since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

What's better tequila or mezcal?

No, not necessarily. It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.

Is tequila a Casamigos?

Casamigos is a tequila company co-founded by American actor George Clooney and owned by Diageo since 2017. ... The name Casamigos comes from the Spanish casa (house) and amigos (friends), thus "house of friends."

Who invented tequila?

Some 80 years later, about 1600, Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle, the Marquis of Altamira, began mass-producing tequila at the first factory in the territory of modern-day Jalisco. By 1608, the colonial governor of Nueva Galicia had begun to tax his products.

Is mezcal a hallucinogen?

2. Does Mezcal make you hallucinate? No, never. You're thinking of Mescaline, an hallucinogenic found in the buttons from the peyote cactus.

Do you chew the worm in mezcal?

- Should You Eat the Tequila Worm? Most people would not eat the mezcal worm, but in some cultures it is quite acceptable. There are no proven side effects that come with consuming a Tequila worm.

Do you refrigerate mezcal?

Mezcal is best sipped at room temperature. Like most American whiskeys (especially bourbon), mezcal contains a lot of natural congeners. ... So never keep your mezcal in the freezer or fridge, and leave the ice behind unless you're using mezcal in a cocktail.

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.

What is Abocado mezcal?

Abocado: Flavored or infused mezcal. One of the classes of mezcal as defined by the current Norm. Agave: Scientific name for the genus of succulents used to make mezcal. The term maguey is strongly preferred in Oaxaca.

Does mezcal give you a hangover?

A common misconception about tequila is that it does not cause hangovers. Dr. Forrelli clarified that while any alcohol consumption that is taxing to the body will always cause negative aftereffects, single-ingredient mezcals ingested without mixers may be more easily digestible, minimizing hangover symptoms.

What does the worm do in tequila?

One traces the origin back to a distiller named Jacobo Lozano Páez, who in 1940 found that the larvae changed the taste of the agave and so began adding it to his spirits. Others believe that it brings good fortune and strength to the lucky person who finds it in a glass.

Which is the best alcohol in the world?

Here are 14 of the strongest liquors in the world.

1. Spirytus Vodka. Proof: 192 (96% alcohol by volume) ...
2. Everclear 190. Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) ...
3. Golden Grain 190. ...
4. Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whiskey. ...
5. Hapsburg Absinthe X.C. ...
6. Pincer Shanghai Strength. ...
7. Balkan 176 Vodka. ...
8. Sunset Very Strong Rum.

What is Absolut distilled from?

The main ingredients in Absolut Vodka are water and winter wheat. The water comes from a deep well in Åhus where it's protected from impurities. Winter wheat differs from other crops: it's sown in fall, and harvested the next one.