The Steps
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1. Tequila is produced from a specific type of agave from the Mexican state, Jalisco. Mezcal is also made form agave, but is not limited to a certain type of agave or region. Rather, it is distinguished by a smokey flavor that comes from a specialized production process. 00:25
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2. Tequila is made by steaming the heart of a blue agave plant, which helps prepare the sugars for distillation. To make mezcal, the agave hearts are roasted in the ground, in a structure similar to a barbeque pit. 00:51
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3. There are many different qualities of mezcal available. The highest quality mezcals can be hard to find, as they are usually made in small batches with limited quantity. 02:09
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4. Most mezcals are intended to be enjoyed straight without needing any other additions to the drink. However, mezcal is frequently used as a component in mixed cocktails. 02:39
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5. Del Maguey Vida releases mezcals from different villages that vary in flavor because of the different regions and agaves that are used. 03:16
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6. Mezcal Vago Tobala uses different species of agave grown in the wild. As such, it is expensive and made in very small quantities. 03:46
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7. Ilegal mezcal is another example of high-quality mezcal that is best consumed straight. 04:25
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- Mezcal
Chef Notes
Mezcal is a distilled
alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant native to Mexico. The word mezcal
comes from a Spanish term meaning "oven-cooked
agave".
Tequila and mezcal, while produced from the same plant, are distinguished by the production method and location. The word “mezcal”
refers to a vast family of agave spirits, making it a fairly generic term. Tequila differs in that it is produced in a particular a
region, like Champaigne, and can only be made from one particular varietal of agave to be considered authentic.
Authentic mezcal can be
produced in seven Mexican states: Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí,
Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, and Guanajuato. Most mezcal available in the U.S. is from Oaxaca.
The alcohol content level of mezcal will range between 40% to 50%.
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