10 Vitally Important Facts About Tequila

Published by Cassie on 06/04/202006/04/2020

Poor old tequila. So often misunderstood outside of Mexico. It has an unfair reputation for being gross, for getting people extremely drunk and causing the worst hangovers.

Personally, I’m a big fan of tequila. It is a beautiful, highly complex and versatile alcohol with a fascinating history and it really doesn’t ever give me a hangover.  Find out how to drink without getting a hangover by reading my 10 vitally important facts about tequila, right here, right now!

Like many Brits, I didn’t start off with a high opinion of tequila. My first experiences of it got me very, very sick and put me off it for years. Some could say that my experiences came from my misuse of the drink. I probably wouldn’t argue. Then I came to Mexico on my honeymoon and decided that  I was going to learn to love it. It worked. Over ten years later and I’m still besotted with tequila (and still married!).

Disclaimer: I learned most of the following when on a tequila tasting session at La Cata in Tequila in 2019.

10 Tequila Based Facts

1. Tequila is the most regulated liquor in the world. Every agave plant (from which tequila is made) should be numbered and registered. The Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) applies to all processes and activities related to the supply of agave, production, bottling, marketing, information, and business practices linked to tequila. Tequila must be produced using Tequilana Weber Blue agave. The drink can only be called ‘tequila’ if it is produced in specific regions of Mexico: Jalisco, parts of Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Tamaulipas.

2. Tequila began life as a traditional Mexican fermented drink, pulque. It was the invading Spanish who decided to try distilling it.

3. Tequila is a type of mezcal (another delicious Mexican alcohol, found mainly around Oaxaca).

4. There are two categories of tequila: “mixto” and “100% agave”. The 100% agave is undeniably the better drink as the sugars in it come only from the blue agave plant. In a “mixto” up to 49% of the sugar content can come from elsewhere: beet, cane, even the evil high fructose corn syrup. If you drink only 100% agave you’ll be unlikely to get a hangover.

5. Tequila is a more complex spirit than most other spirits. There are over 300 known compounds in tequila. It is thought that the older the agave, the great the alcohol content of the tequila. Give your drink a sniff, you’ll smell the complexity.

6. Tequila began life as something to be drunk as a shot – it was essentially moonshine. Moonshine is never good. It’s drunk to forget that life is harsh. Tequila has come a long way from those early days and now we have great quality tequilas that should really be sipped and enjoyed.

7. There are different types of tequila:

1. 1. 1. Blanco / Plata (white / silver) – the youngest and purest of all tequilas. It is great for making cocktails. If you want to know about a tequila company’s quality, try the blanco as it is the ‘purest expression’ of the agave plant.
      2. Oro / Joven (gold / young) – this is often a “mixto” so beware. It will generally be a blanco with added colouring or flavouring – here’s the hangover potential.
      3. Reposado (resting) – this tequila has a golden colour and must have ‘rested’ in an oak barrel for at least two months. It will have some colour and flavour from its barrel.
      4. Añejo (from the Spanish “año”, year) – as given away by its name, this tequila is at least a year old. It will taste oaky and complex. If you like whiskey, you’ll enjoy an añejo.
      5. Extra Añejo  – this tequila has spent a minimum of three years in an oak barrel. It can be very expensive and if you want to buy me some, that’s fine with me.

8. Most tequila found outside of Mexico is “mixto”, which is why it has such a bad reputation. If you can, look for the 100% agave stuff. You won’t need a slice of lemon or a lick of salt to help you drink now.

9. The worm that you may think so ubiquitous with tequila is actually a) a gimmick and b) found in mezcal, not tequila. The tequila regulatory council (yes, there is one), doesn’t allow worms or scorpions to be added to tequila.

10. When your shot of tequila is put in front of you, give it a swirl and stick your nose right in the glass. Smell the complexity of this drink, inhale its history. Next, take a tiny amount into your mouth and swill it around, covering your tongue and gums. This lets your body know what’s coming and gives it a chance to prepare for the, admittedly strong, flavour and alcohol content. If you do this, you’ll then be able to drink the rest of your shot slowly, savouring it as you would a good whiskey or vodka (yes, I also adore good quality vodka after many years working in the former Soviet Union).

So now you’ve learned about tequila I hope you’ll join me in my respect and love for this fabulous drink. And hey, if you ever want to talk tequila or anything else, why not check out my new “One-to-One with Cassie” offer?

Bonus Fact: Tequila is often thought of as a cure-all: take a shot for a sore throat or mix with honey and lemon for pretty much every other ailment. Mexicans swear by it!