Tequila, Agave spirit production center in Tequila, Mexico
Tequila is a town in Jalisco, Mexico, surrounded by fields of blue agave and home to dozens of distilleries that process the plants. Streets run through the center with low buildings, while the surrounding hills show volcanic soil where the agave grows.
Spanish settlers started making fermented drinks from agave here in the 16th century after learning local techniques. Royal permission for commercial production was granted in the late 18th century, establishing standards that remain in place today.
The town shares its name with the drink it produces, and visitors can watch large ovens where agave hearts are steamed before processing. Many families have worked in the distilleries for generations and often demonstrate how juice is extracted from the cooked plants and fermented.
Most distilleries offer guided tours where you can see the production facilities and receive explanations of each step in the process. A visit typically lasts one to two hours, and comfortable shoes are recommended since some areas have uneven floors.
The agave plants require seven to ten years before they can be harvested, and workers cut away the sharp leaves using special curved knives. The heart of a mature plant can weigh between 90 and 200 pounds (40 to 90 kilograms) and is transported to the ovens immediately after harvest.
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