National Tequila Day USA: All About the Popular Agave Spirit
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National Tequila Day is celebrated annually on July 24th in the USA. Tequila is an incredibly versatile spirit that has been delighting North Americans for over four centuries.
The Origins of Tequila
When Spanish conquerors arrived in North America in the 16th century, they brought their own brandy. However, they soon ran out. So they began distilling a local fermented drink called "pulque" made from native agave plants. Thus, they created one of the first distilled spirits in North America and named it after the nearby town of Tequila.
By 1600, the first tequila factory was in operation. Shortly thereafter, Spain's King Carlos IV granted the Cuervo family the first license to commercially produce tequila. At the end of the 19th century, Don Cenobio Sauza, the founder of Sauza Tequila, began exporting tequila to the United States.
Production and Varieties
The production process of tequila has hardly changed since the 1600s. Blue agave plants are tended by jimadores and harvested at the optimal time. The agave cores (piñas) are baked, ground, and the juice is fermented and double distilled. Depending on the aging in wooden barrels, there are five main types: Silver, Joven, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo.
The place where the agaves are grown also influences the taste. Plants from the highlands of Jalisco yield a sweeter tequila, while agaves from the lowlands have earthy and herbaceous aromas.
Tequila in Cocktails
The subtle differences make tequila enjoyable neat, but also a popular cocktail ingredient. Popular classics include Margarita, Paloma, or Tequila Sunrise. Modern creations like the Tequila Mockingbird or El Anticuado, a tequila variation of the Old Fashioned, showcase its versatility.
