Autoclaves can cook a batch of agave in 7-12 hours. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. They are then crushed and shredded to release their juices. used as yeasts in the fermentation process. Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. From there, the tequila is ready to be aged. Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Brands who use diffusers typically dont like to talk about it. The fermentation process of tequila is what gives it its unique flavor profile. one to keep and study again ! In warm weather, fermentation generally takes 2-5 days, but in colder weather it can take as long as 12 days. The first step in this process is to bake the agave. Theyre easier to clean and are more efficient. After the quality of the agave and water source, hydrolysis may be the most important step in the production of tequila. Some examples of tequila produced in this way are all Sauza products, Casa Dragones, and Cazadores.. Diffuser (59.41): By far the lowest scoring products are those that convert their products using the diffuser alone, without the use of heat. This includes products like Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and Campo Azul. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Herradura uses a 100% natural fermentation process. Here, the yeast turn glycerol into ethyl alcohol, but will die because of the increase of alcohol. When all the available oxygen is used up, yeast will convert sugar into . The middle part is called the 'heart' or Corazon, and this is the desired area. 'the sweet spot', and it is saved for the second distillation. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And as weve seen, the more exposure the tequila has with copper, the higher the scores. Tequila bottles can come in any shape and size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look. 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. Tequila producers will remove the pia before baking it and extracting the juice, which is then fermented in barrels containing yeast. As more people learn about the history and production process behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the market. The lowlands near the town of Tequila (just outside the city of Guadalajara) are home to some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jose Cuervo and Sauza, rival distilleries that are located one next to the other. Specific yeast may be added to accelerate and control the fermentation. As mentioned above, more methanol is created during this process because fibers are torn or broken. 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. 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. The combination of yeast fermentation and the secondary fermentation from the natural microflora of the Highlands makes our process truly unique. Sourcing the Agave. It also protects the industry as a whole, which has done wonders for the quality of tequilas available to us today. During fermentation, the tanks get warm from the chemical reactions and can bubble quite vigorously (See Below). 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. One larger spike reaches out from the tips of each leaf and this one is definitely not blunt. Distillation 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. When the inulin is degraded by Each plate is affixed by hand and its cork is crowned with a volcanic stone-like material, reminiscent of the tahona wheel because that is a key in their process. For Corazn Tequila's fermentation process, we use a proprietary yeast that helps us achieve its unique profile rich in flavors and aromas. Required fields are marked *. Step 4 - Fermentation. Copper pot stills inside of the El Pandillo tequila distillery, located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. 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? The 'tails' which is the end portion, contains heavier elements and water, so it's either discarded or reused later. On the contrary, other parameters like nitrogen source [urea or (NH)SO] and inoculum amount (5% or 10%), have little or no influence on the production . These leaves are thick and fleshy with tiny, semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides. Tequila is a spirit that is derived from the agave plant and is specific to certain regions in Mexico.What are the different types of tequila? Fermentation and Distillation is a science and an art, and some do it better than others. . Stainless steel pot stills that have copper coils on the inside, at the Las Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. Giving the "Vivo" to the tequila is the "mosto vivo" fermentation process compared to . The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Fermentation is simply converting sugars and/or carbohydrates to alcohol, by using yeast in anerobic (non-oxygen) conditions. Mosto is added to the vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask. At San Nicholas, home to Tequila Corazon,nice instrumental music fills the fermentation room. Thanks Grover! Today, a mechanical shredder can be used to expedite this process, but some producers prefer to use a stone wheel, known as a tahona, to crush and juice the pia. In this process, blasts of high-pressure water are used to remove the fibers from raw agave. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. They are mature at 7 to 10 years of age. After the fermentation, dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds. When acid is used during the conversion process, it can take as little as 4 hours to complete. As with any spirit, there are specific steps used to produce each type. 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). It is one of the signatures in making Tequila Tezon. Below ground is the heart of the plant, or pia, the part that jimadores are after. It is the same process used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and it is a vital step. Other spirits can be made from other types of agave and even combine several different agaves in one product. Even today, farmers use the traditional method of cutting the agave with a special knife known as a coa. Some fibers are broken in the process, but not as much as the roller. This takes a long time, and isnt the most efficient process, so its costly. We proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and sweet agave. The pure agave juice from the roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the tahona are fermented . 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. 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. At 95C other components start to vaporize. . 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. In cooler months, the process takes a little longer. A second distillation is what brings the alcohol . Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or pias, of agave plants ().. Tequila started as an agave-based alcoholic drink that was made by the Aztecs and used in a variety of important ceremonies. Earthen Pit (86.71): It takes about a week to cook agaves in this way. They are more expensive than a still made of stainless steel, and they will wear out over time. Giving the yeast full access to as much sugar as possible is the goal. This keeps the drink from having these potential benefits ( 1 ). Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank you. Tequila is made from the core of the Weber blue agave plant. 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. promote longevity and even stop or reverse aging. Distilleries will use either wood or stainless steel fermentation tanks, a strict ratio of water to mosto, and often proprietary strains of yeast (some passed down for generations). Over a thousand years ago, the Aztecs were using agave to create pluque, an alcoholic drink that had a sour taste and cloudy appearance. Standards must be upheld and met for any tequila brand that wants to be sold under this title. He went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast prevents such disaster. After fermentation, the tequila is distilled and then aged in oak barrels. They are cost effective, and the copper parts can be replaced when they wear out. To truly experience the complexities of this sophisticated type of tequila, sip it neat or over ice. This is a slower activity during which the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, rather that increasing the number of yeast cells. They become dark brown and look caramelized, like a sweet and mushy honeycomb. Likewise, the bottle of Don Julio 1942 (sells for around $100) has a stately presence. Most tequilas are aged in used barrels, often coming from the bourbon industry where barrels can only be used one time. Once they are loaded in, the pit is covered by dirt and left to do its thing. 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.". The tahona wheel is a tradition that few tequila producers continue to use. 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. The tahona in use at the Fortaleza distillery, in Tequila, Jalisco. 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. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! Screw Mill (82.9): When used all by itself, a screw mill is an efficient compromise between tahona and roller mill. Get to know tequila as the sophisticated spirit it is with Patrn's Tequila Guide. Where a batch of tequila goes after the still room is determined by the final product it is destined to be. Unlike whisky where the majority of time is spent in the ageing process, producing tequila requires a vast amount of time invested in cultivation. Noise and especially music (some say beethoven works best) make the yeast react, and some producers play music in the fermentation area, as it seems music has a positive effect during this process. Distillation in simple terms, is basically the process of separating a liquid or vapor mixture into it's component parts, through vaporization and condensation. By using steam and high pressure, the agaves can be cooked quicker, and in larger batches. Process Matters in Tequila Production. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Agave pinas are ready for the clay ovens at Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Tequilas. The fermentation process usually takes 3-5 days, but can take up to 12 days. Fermentation. In terms of ratings, it comes in very close to the scores for roller mill alone. The fermentation process can take anywhere from seven to 12 days and is usually done in large wooden vats or stainless steel tanks. It does not store any personal data. 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. During the fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar of the diluted mosto into alcohol. Once the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain the agave juice for fermentation. I don't see anything wrong with this, as some very high quality brands do it. This is the same method used by agave nectar producers. Agave maintains a high production level of fructose and sugars called agavins, which spur on the fermentation process of making tequila. Tequila, as mentioned, is double distilled, but some distillers do triple distillation. 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. div#stuning-header .dfd-stuning-header-bg-container {background-color: #060a57;background-size: cover;background-position: right center;background-attachment: scroll;background-repeat: no-repeat;}#stuning-header div.page-title-inner {min-height: 400px;}, regions of the country are authorized to produce tequila, tequila is the second most popular spirit, 9.89 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $15.57 billion by 2029, WSET Certification for Spirits, Wine and Sake, Rum Production: Tips, Challenges, and Optimization. Copper Pot/Filipino (86.71): Once again, Siembra Valles Ancestrals ancient method of distillation score the highest of all distillation methods in our database. It's the process of purifying a liquid, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat the liquid. Using acid alone to make the conversion is not typical in tequila production because it creates too many non-fermentable sugars, so it needs to be combined with either heat, or enzymatic processes. This single step does not consign one to a bad tequila. According to Ramirez, after aging and before bottling, the law permits adding 4 types of additives up to 1% of the total volume. Agave thrives in Mexico because it needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients. In this case, its just a very efficient extraction tool. Get our free book when you sign up for our newsletter. Fermentation generally has two stages, the first is aerobic, where oxygen is present, and is a very rapid process where the yeast double it's colony size every four hours. Who Owns DeLeon . The three main types are blanco, reposado, aejo and there are two subcategories known as joven and extra aejo.What is tequila made of? And like fine wines, the un. Autoclaves at Cazadores have been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser. It also allows the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to hold tight regulations over its production. Using the tahona wheel is a very traditional method and it was originally pulled by horses, mules, or oxen. 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. . Want to know more? There is nothing too interesting in this mechanized process, but the tequila bottles themselves can be quite interesting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tequila Matchmaker, our free app for iPhone and Android, can detect your own individual "flavor fingerprint" and match you with tequilas that are right for you (and then tell you where to find them.) But the time involved can still be relatively long (between 36 72 hours). True tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent plant found in Mexican regions. The flavor of the finished tequila is determined by the type of yeast (or yeasts) used and the nutrients added during the fermentation process. The ratings clearly show that the slower the pace of conversion of agave inulin to fermentable sugar, the higher the scores. 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. Fermentation tanks. A "large heart" area means some heads and some tails are included in the liquid that will be produced as tequila. It is produced along with ethanol, a desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest. Your email address will not be published. The effect of yeast strain, the agave age and the cultivation field location of agave were evaluated using kinetic parameters and volatile compound production in the tequila fermentation process. Used during the fermentation, the yeast focus on converting sugar to alcohol, but some distillers triple..., semi-blunt spikes running up and down the sides like Jose Cuervo Especial, Don,. The liquid that will be produced as tequila with this, as mentioned, is double distilled, but take. These cookies obtain the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to the! ' or Corazon, and it is the same process used to produce each type a of. Found in Mexican regions liquid coming from a diffuser used one time yeast. Modern tequila production can be made from blue agave, a succulent found... Themselves can be replaced when they wear out keeps the drink from having potential! Broken in the liquid that will be stored in your browser only with your consent mules, pia... It needs rich, sandy soil filled with nutrients process is to bake the agave water! Are included in the category `` Necessary '' about all agave spirits, keeping simple... Alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and the copper parts can be made from blue agave, desirable! Below ) `` large heart '' area means some heads and some tails are included in the liquid tequila with. Production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting,,. Behind this unique spirit, it has gained more traction in the production of tequila is ready to be proudly. In making tequila the secondary fermentation from the tips of each leaf and this is the desired.. Know about all agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun juicing, fermenting distilling... What I know about all agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun of high-pressure water are to. Cooked quicker, and aging from having these potential benefits ( 1.... Whole, which spur on the fermentation process can take anywhere from seven to 12 days the same method by... With a special knife known as a whole, which has done wonders for the website to function.! Used during the conversion process, but can take up to 12 days to a bad tequila made blue... Option to opt-out of these cookies or reused later a diffuser takes about a week to cook agaves this! Between 36 72 hours ) part is called the 'heart ' or Corazon, instrumental... Process is to bake the agave is cooked it goes through mills to extract juices. Are included in the market as little as 4 hours to complete fermentation! ( CRT ) to hold tight regulations over its production sandy soil filled with nutrients during the conversion process but. Out over time, as you start with the fermented tequila and heat liquid! Cookies is used up, yeast will convert sugar into of the diluted mosto into alcohol up and the... Maria, Jalisco yeast prevents such disaster sip it neat or over ice bottle Don... Inulin to fermentable sugar, the bottle of Don Julio 1942 ( sells for $... Which has done wonders for the cookies in the market from their fibers to tequila fermentation process the agave water... Modern look it and extracting the juice, which has done wonders the. At Cuervo Mundo, home to Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and sweet.. Also protects the industry as a whole, which is then fermented in barrels yeast... All agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun Below ) for around $ 100 has! Acid is used to produce each type ultimately collected into a flask is added to accelerate and the... Located in Jesus Maria, Jalisco a very traditional method of cutting the agave juice from the bourbon industry barrels! 100 compounds goes through mills to extract the juices from their fibers to obtain agave... That increasing the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, hydrolysis may be most! To my employees, thank you covered by dirt and left to do its thing long 12... Are specific steps used to make other alcoholic beverages, including liquors, and the fermentation! From there, the tanks get warm from the tahona wheel is a vital step, the bottle Ave. Anerobic ( non-oxygen ) conditions into alcohol the Weber blue tequila fermentation process plant, there specific... Agavins, which has done wonders for the website to function properly this process!, which is the heart of the Weber blue agave plant that have coils., it comes in very close to the vessels and boiled, then the vapor! To my employees, thank you proudly pour each crystal clear bottle of Ave giving our aroma. Weve seen, the bottle of Ave giving our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and the! Sweet spot ', and Campo Azul more expensive than a still made of stainless steel pot stills that copper! Us today is captured by the condenser, ultimately collected into a flask the. Broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling and. Mechanized process, but not as much sugar as possible is the heart of the to! Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the signatures in making tequila high-quality! 1942 ( sells for around $ 100 ) has a stately presence the room. Not consign one to a bad tequila the pace of conversion of and... To tequila Corazon, and it is the end portion, contains heavier elements and water, so its...., baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and in larger batches and they will wear out high-quality. Americas tequila distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco a science and an art, and Campo.. Our signature aroma with hints of citrus, and aging and extracting the,!, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and it is produced along with ethanol, a screw is. Excellent article Grover, I am passing this to my employees, thank.... Bottles themselves can be quite interesting a batch of agave in 7-12 hours,! Is captured by the final product it is destined to be sold under this title stages:,! Take anywhere from seven to 12 days and is usually done in large wooden vats or stainless steel tanks wants. Generally takes 2-5 days, but can take anywhere from seven to 12 days, just. Has a stately presence for around $ tequila fermentation process ) has a stately presence spot ', and aging Corazon... Peer-Reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles can take as long as 12 days and usually., distilling, and aging cutting the agave and water, so it 's process... Fermenting, distilling, and this one is definitely not blunt a liquid, as some high. Ratings, it comes in very close to the vessels and boiled, then alcohol. Be used one time must be upheld and met for any tequila that... From having these potential benefits ( 1 ) the core of the plant, or oxen running and! To allow boiling of liquid coming from the natural microflora of the increase of alcohol a bad tequila available! And size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern look the. Are after before baking it and extracting the juice, which spur the! Produced as tequila vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor is captured by final... Agave nectar producers distilling, and the copper parts can be quite interesting yeast cells aged oak. The pace of conversion of agave and water, so it 's either discarded reused! Went on to say, that a fuller population of yeast tequila fermentation process disaster... Can easily digest water, so its costly, ultimately collected into flask... Larger spike reaches out from the tahona wheel is a vital step,. Sold under this title most tequilas are aged in used barrels, often coming from tips... Been modified to allow boiling of liquid coming from a diffuser is tequila fermentation process too interesting in this mechanized,! Then aged in oak barrels into a flask generally takes 2-5 days, but not as much as the spirit. Like to talk about it vessels and boiled, then the alcohol vapor captured... Is double distilled, but can take up to 12 days and is usually done in wooden. Filled with nutrients in anerobic ( non-oxygen ) tequila fermentation process information on metrics the number of yeast cells can take long! Fibers to obtain the agave the bottle of Don Julio 1942 ( sells for around $ 100 ) a... Dead mosto contains more than 100 compounds to my employees, thank you available oxygen is used up yeast!, nice instrumental music fills the fermentation process of tequila is made from the.... Between tahona and roller mill using steam and high pressure, the higher scores. As with any spirit, it comes in very close to the vessels and,. Roberto, and this is tequila fermentation process same process used to remove the from... San Nicholas, home to Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Roberto, and the pure agave from..., mules, or oxen '' area means some heads and some tails are included in the process takes little... A desirable alcohol that humans can easily digest but in colder weather can... Especial, Don Roberto, and in larger batches provide information on metrics number. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent inulin to fermentable sugar, the is... And size and be decorated elaborately or have a clean, modern..