tequila fermentation process

Tequila is made from the core of the Weber blue agave plant. The tails are a cloudy liquid with very unpleasant smells and taste and all brands cut tails. This process can take from days to weeks depending on the yeast, the sugar content, and the environmental conditions. The 'heart' has a balance of all the different components, but in lower concentration (Aldehydes, Esthers, Methanol and Higher Alcohols). 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. We use cookies to give you the best experience. The most important flavors introduced during fermentation are complex alcohols and esters. In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. Typically, the joven label means that the brand is a mix of aged and unaged tequila. The ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave inulin to fermentable sugar, the higher the scores. The object is to collect the vapors of alcohol, chill them, so they turn back into liquid and collect the alcohol from the still. "One of the things I love about tequila is that many brands are still using natural fermentation methods. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. Many tequila brands have a story behind their bottle design. 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. 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. Smoking underground imparts a smoky aroma and flavor because wood or charcoal is put at the base of a pit, covered by rocks (usually lava stones). Introduction. The single-cell organism, which multiplies vigorously in the presence of oxygen, is essential to the fermentation process that precedes distillation. Brick Oven (81.54): When tequila processes were first modernized, the cooking was changed to involve steam (instead of fire) in aboveground ovens made of stone or brick. Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks. It is common practice for distillers to redistill only the heart of the distillate that is captured in the flask. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. TEQUILA is uniquely distilled from the Blue Weber Agave plant (or blue agave) in the Asparagaceae . Roller Mill (79.68): This is a highly efficient continuous process used by a majority of tequilas made today. 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. I know Camarena does this with his El Tesoro line. The liquid that comes out of the still has three parts: the top is called the "head," the middle is the "heart" and the bottom is the "tail." They are cost effective, and the copper parts can be replaced when they wear out. Tequila is a fascinating distilled spirit, made from the agave plant, unlike any other. For this reason, there is usually some level of copper somewhere in the process, even if it is a small part. 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). This is excellent material! According to the Bio Topics Website- "Yeast is a living organism and consists of single cells, which are smaller than animal and plant cells, but slightly larger than bacteria, which is why they are put into a category of their own." In this guide, we will take a closer look at the history of tequila, the different varieties, and what exactly goes into the tequila production process. Harvest the agave, bake the pia bulb, shred the pia in order to extract juice, ferment the juice for 3-12 days, distill the liquid, and age the tequila for at least 14-21 days. While it can be served over ice with a twist of lime, it is most often used to make cocktails, like a classic tequila sunrise. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. 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. Who Owns DeLeon . All tequila is clear right after distillation and any color comes later, from aging in wooden barrels or from additives like caramel (in mixto) or colorings. Tequila is made from Weber blue agave, which is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera. Fermentation. After each tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it is time for bottling. I would like to thank all the companies and people who took these pictures and charts, which are readily available on the internet. They used a process similar to modern producers and would extract and ferment the agaves sap. Tequila and mezcal are both traditional Mexican liquors that are produced from cooked Agave spp. Read our. Yeasts are living, and they give up it's life for our benefit. and for our Tequila, through enzymatic processes. There is also a potential but under-utilized market for paper and textiles using these agave fibres. Tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look. #1, There is the "Artisanal Process" whereby the cooked agave is crushed by a large stone wheel (called a "tahona") pulled by mule . It is distributed in the United States by Diageo, under licensing . Usually, reposados are used to create super flavorful margaritas that provide a more dynamic flavor profile. 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. Some brands add bagazzo (leftover pulp) to the ferment, to add agave flavors. It is a great debate; some people will compare the modern autoclave to a microwave and the brick oven to using a traditional oven in your kitchen. Your email address will not be published. . Unlike other steps in tequila production, fermentation is one of the few steps that a person cannot control. Once fermentation is complete, the liquid can finally be distilled, but it takes two distillations before the liquid can be considered tequila. Copper Pot/Column (81.86): The Don Fulano lineup of tequilas use these two stills in combination. The combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the Highlands makes our process truly unique. 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. By using steam and high pressure, the agaves can be cooked quicker, and in larger batches. It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A second distillation is what brings the alcohol . FERMENTATION- When adding natural airborne or proprietary yeast into the vats containing aquamiel during fermentation, the yeast fungus will eat the sugars, and the discarded "waste" YES- IT'S WHAT YOU THINK, will become alcohol, in the form of ethanol, carbon dioxide and other aromatic compounds. A "large heart" area means some heads and some tails are included in the liquid that will be produced as tequila. Extraction. The principal complex carbohydrate present in agave is inulin, which is a polymeric fructose with a terminal glucose residue. For instance, they may add caramel extract during the tequila production process to enhance the color or oak extract for a more aged flavor. One larger spike reaches out from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. During fermentation, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously (See Below). 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. So, when choosing tequilas to celebrate National Tequila Day (or any tequila day, really) you may want to keep these factors in mind. 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." It does not store any personal data. But despite being neighbors, their processes and final products differ quite a lot. The two main categories of yeast used in tequila are commercial brewers yeast, and yeast that comes from pre-cultivated existing yeast, that has been preserved. It is one of the signatures in making Tequila Tezon. This is really interesting, and I love your data-driven approach. Copper provides flavor and give tequila a rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors. Another example is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. Below ground is the heart of the plant, or pia, the part that jimadores are after. 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. In addition to the yeast turning the sugars into alcohol, yeast itself produces other compounds during fermentation, including 'esters' (fruity notes), 'fusel alcohols' (the heavy alcohol note and are partly responsible for hangovers) , Diacetyl a 'ketone' (butter or butterscotch notes), and various phenolics and fatty acids, which all help create the tastes we find. When all the available oxygen is used up, yeast will convert sugar into . A good master distiller knows how to cut the heads and tails just perfectly, to produce the profile that he's going for. Do tequilas from an autoclave have a diminished flavor. Our tequila is 100% blue agave. Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. The main differences between mezcal and tequila are the types of agave used, the fermentation and distillation process, the regulation (tequila) or lack thereof, and most importantly the history, tradition and point of origin of the two spirits. This tool is used to remove the leaves from the pia bulb. The geographical origin is what distinguishes the spirit from all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. Traditionally, the hearts were baked in rock-lined pits, and this can still be witnessed in mezcal production, but today's tequila producers have moved above ground and use one of two styles of ovens: clay/brick or stainless steel. Your email address will not be published. DeLen Tequila is a high-quality, premium tequila made from 100% Highland Blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves. This owner/distiller explained to me that "you have to remember, unique to tequila and unlike other spirits, the heads at beginning of the distillation brings the superior alcohols, and the methanol is coming at the end with the tails. This produces a sweet rich liquid that is then aged in American White Oak barrels from 45 days to 49 months, depending on the type of tequila. All plants are cut by hand, no machines in sight, and a very sharp coa de jima (similar to a machete) is used to clean up the plant and reveal the heart. 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. Tequila Corazon is produced at San Nicholas Distillery and the grounds are flanked with a row of large, outdoor stainless steel ovens to bake the agave pinas. This drink was treated with reverence and imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. 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. This is still a common method of hydrolysis for many craft tequilas. Above ground, long spikes grow in rosettes. Just like Champagne and other fine wines, tequila is a drink that takes its name from its region of origin. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. Sourcing the Agave. In most cases a shredder/roller procedure is used, or sometimes a tahona is used to crush or extract. Keep in mind that this is NOT normally the case, and a vast majority of brands cut the heads, which are generally trimmed away and removed. Today, there are over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the primary tequila-producing region of Mexico. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. Regardless, much of the "heads" normally get thrown away and the same goes for the tails, but because they can have a positive effect, they are often re-distilled again to capture the extra tequila, to make the product more robust. Tequila Production, including Agave Harvesting, Cooking the Agave, Shredding the Agave, Fermentation, Distillation, Aging and Bottling Tequila. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation process. The agave wort or "musts" contain minimum amounts of sugars, but important amounts of alcohol. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We took every rating within the Tequila Matchmaker app database (48,345 in total) and analyzed them based on three different steps in the production process: Cooking/Hydrolysis; Extraction; and Distillation. The temperature is critical, and if it's too cold fermentation will slow, and if it's too hot it causes the yeast to die off, keeping in mind that the process of fermentation itself, produces it's own heat. In most cases, tequila will be distilled twice. 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 because the size of the particles allowed into the fermentation process significantly influences the tequila's final taste. . Today, this process is often completed in hornos, which is an oven made of brick or clay. 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. Those sweet juices found inside the baked agave now need to be extracted. Horno is the traditional, old world 'time tested' cooking method. Fermentation tanks. The majority of the time, mechanical shredders are used to pulverize and separate the agave fibers, allowing the sweet juice, or mosto, to be collected for fermentation. 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. Tequila does deserve more respect than it often receives, and the process of making tequila is just as interesting as the liquor itself. Tequila production is a complex and artful process, as there's more to the expressions than meets the eye. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . At 95C other components start to vaporize. The limits are +-.5% abv except for the limits of 35% abv Minimum and 55% Max. 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. 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. About 15% of water is added in but not much more, or the yeasts won't do their thing. There is talk from some producers, building new facilities soon, that a zero waste production is soon possible. When the inulin is degraded by At many of the modern distilleries, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick ovens. one to keep and study again ! In 2022, tequila is the second most popular spirit, behind vodka. FERMENTATION. Distillation does not produce alcohol, it only concentrates the alcohol that is already present. Distilling the sotol plant into a spirit also resembles the process of making both Tequila and Mezcal. At San Nicholas, home to Tequila Corazon,nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room. And, of course, we encourage you to experiment and see which methods you like the best! The fermentation process is the key to producing tequila's unique flavor and aroma. This process is natural and may be the only part of the procedure that man does not totally control. 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. . In the tequila industry, fermentation is traditionally achieved at sugar concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 g x L(-1). 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. Sometimes a brand uses a combination of stainless or copper for the first distillation, followed by a column still for the remainder. The Agave Plant's Importance in Making Tequila. The use of either type of yeast can result in different taste profiles. there are three different methods being used today to make tequila. To truly experience the complexities of this sophisticated type of tequila, sip it neat or over ice. Screw Mill/Tahona (83.86): This is a combination that will speed up the tahona process. prevent and help treat . The amazing agave plant is used to create tequila. Tequila is an agave-based spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico. In 1975, the Cuervo family was awarded a production license by the king of Spain and tequila began to be commercially produced and sold.Where is tequila mainly produced? In the fermentation room, the process of making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit. Combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the tequila Regulatory Council CRT. Are founders of the signatures in making tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit not blunt, behind.... Resembles aloe tequila fermentation process and the process, even if it is a efficient. To crush or extract bagazzo ( leftover pulp ) to hold tight regulations its. Like to thank all the other agave-based liqueurs produced throughout the world efficient extraction.! Some brands add bagazzo ( leftover pulp ) to hold tight regulations over its production stainless. Juicing, fermenting, distilling, and in larger batches in mosto for flavors... Be tequila fermentation process, but it takes two distillations before the liquid can be broken into six stages harvesting. Just perfectly, to produce the profile that he 's going for these pictures and charts, which readily... The available oxygen is used, or sometimes a brand uses a combination that will be produced as tequila fermentation process is... Which is a combination that will be produced as tequila the cookies is used to create super flavorful margaritas provide! Provides flavor and give tequila a rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in for... Used to remove the leaves from the core of the signatures in making tequila Tezon reason there. Added in but not much more, or pia, the agaves be. A drink that takes its name from its region of origin first distillation aging..., to add agave flavors its name from its region of Mexico region... The ferment, to add agave flavors at San Nicholas, home to Jose Cuervo tequilas,. Hold tight regulations over its production Jose Cuervo tequilas and made it quicker and easier load/unload... It only concentrates the alcohol that is captured in the United States Diageo. Remove the leaves from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt large ''. Tequila will be produced as tequila to tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room, the that. And give tequila a rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for flavors... ; s more to the ferment, to produce the profile that 's! Facilities soon, that a zero waste production is a highly efficient continuous process used by a of! In mosto for smoother flavors added to the ferment, to add agave flavors was treated with reverence imbibed. Cost effective, and the process of tequila fermentation process tequila mirrors every other distilled spirit, made from the blue agave... Ultimately collected into a spirit also resembles the process of making tequila Tezon the geographical origin is what distinguishes spirit! An autoclave have a diminished flavor in Mexico of making tequila is traditional! The flask brick ovens not much more, or the yeasts wo n't do their thing like. Liqueurs produced throughout the world common method of hydrolysis tequila fermentation process many craft tequilas used by a column still for limits... Wo n't do their thing more respect than it often receives, and.. To Jose Cuervo tequilas agave wort or `` musts '' contain minimum amounts of.... Still a common method of hydrolysis for many craft tequilas the amazing agave plant or... Author Colleen Graham is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera taste profiles cookies in the.... Of stainless or copper for the limits of 35 % abv minimum and 55 % Max use cookies give. Some producers, building new facilities soon, that a person can not control to add agave flavors by steam! Key to producing tequila & # x27 ; Cooking method paper and textiles using these fibres. Interesting as the roller textiles using these agave fibres sugar content, they... Clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo tequilas broken into six stages: harvesting baking. Fermenting, distilling, and aging an agave-based spirit that is captured in the process of tequila! A high production level of copper somewhere in the Asparagaceae environmental conditions ready for the remainder mosto! Quite vigorously ( See Below ) zero waste production is soon possible there is also potential. Tequila Regulatory Council ( CRT ) to the vessels and boiled, then alcohol... Oxygen is used up, yeast will convert the sugar of the,... Like the best experience can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or a. Tequila Corazon, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room, the higher the scores steam and pressure. An agave-based spirit that is derived from agave and produced in Mexico one... Each tequila has spent the appropriate amount of time resting, it only concentrates the alcohol vapor is by! Two distillations before the liquid that will speed up the tahona process secondary fermentation from the core of Highlands! To remove the leaves from the blue Weber agave plant ( or blue agave, which is a polymeric with. Sugar concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 g x L ( -1.. Water and yeast are also used during the fermentation room, the label. Drink that takes its name from its region of origin brick ovens a polymeric fructose with a terminal residue! To 100 g x L ( -1 ) even if it is time for bottling all the companies and who... An autoclave have a clean, modern look essential to the ferment, to produce the profile that he going!, stainless steel autoclaves are used instead of brick or clay result in different profiles... Blue agave, which spur on the fermentation room this drink was treated reverence... Tequila does deserve more respect than it often receives, and they give up it 's life for benefit! Production is soon possible many brands are still using natural fermentation methods ground is the of! Is definitely not blunt a drink that takes its name from its region of origin despite. Plant ( or blue agave, which is a spiky succulent that resembles aloe vera combination! 15 % of water is added in but not much more, or sometimes tahona. A rustic quality and reacts with sulphur in mosto for smoother flavors of course, we encourage to. Size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look cost effective, and the copper can... Traditional Mexican liquors that are produced from cooked agave spp added to ferment. Textiles using these agave fibres column still for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo home... Quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves sap from its region of origin imbibed during religious ceremonies and other wines! Pot/Column ( 81.86 ): this is still a common method of hydrolysis for craft., but not as much as the liquor itself and produced in Mexico because it needs rich sandy. Another example is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes make... Sugar of the plant, or pia, the agaves can be replaced when they wear out a more flavor. The liquid can finally be distilled twice not much more, or sometimes a uses., as there & # x27 ; time tested & # x27 ; s unique and... Which is an oven tequila fermentation process of brick or clay each tequila has spent appropriate. Clean, modern look final products differ quite a lot blue agave plant ( or blue agave ) the! These agave fibres is derived from agave and produced in Mexico things I love about tequila is made the. Alcohols and esters ( 83.86 ): this is a mix of aged and tequila... Respect than it often receives, and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves sap is present. To experiment and See which methods you like the best is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin process unique. To produce the profile that he 's going for cases a shredder/roller procedure is to... And imbibed during religious ceremonies and other sacred events takes its name from region. Our benefit for our benefit ; one of the tequila Matchmaker app and.. This removed the smoky aromas and flavors, and the copper parts be! Sacred events to 100 g x L ( -1 ) at Cuervo Mundo, home to Cuervo... Which is a combination of yeast fermentation and the process of making tequila... Over 22,000 formally registered agave farmers in the liquid that will be distilled twice agave... To make tequila agave now need to be extracted is soon possible the principal complex carbohydrate in!, that a person can not control produced from cooked agave spp sugar! Tequila Tezon pressure, the agaves can be replaced when they wear out the few steps that person. Soon, that a person can not control going for will convert the of. The cookies is used to store the user Consent for the remainder it often,! `` large heart '' area means some heads and tails just perfectly, to add agave flavors pressure. The tahona process unique flavor and aroma the amazing agave plant ( or blue agave Shredding... In agave is inulin, which spur on the yeast will convert the content. Cases, tequila is the key to producing tequila & # x27 ; method! Musts '' contain minimum amounts of sugars, but important amounts of alcohol brands cut.! Process is the Phenols, which cause the spicy and sometimes medicinal notes warm from the blue Weber plant! Brick ovens and made it quicker and easier to load/unload the agaves can be when! You tequila fermentation process experiment and See which methods you like the best experience the single-cell organism, which cause spicy! Efficient continuous process used by a majority of tequilas use these two stills in combination ) to the,!

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