Two Days in Tequila

Two Days in Tequila….

Almost sounds like a Clint Eastwood Western… Since in Mexico EVERYWHERE one goes, tequila is king.  Many people like to drink it straight while others enjoy it with a little coke or squirt, the latter the more refreshing drink.  At our house, I have learned to make a good (occasional) margarita for the women, but do not enjoy them myself.  First of all, it takes a village to make one….squeezing limes, salting the glass rims, ice, plus three or four additional ingredients, putting everything into a shaker just to get two drinks. Much easier to open the bourbon bottle, pour into a glass and consume. 

What we did find on our trip to Tequila, (about an hour and a half from Ajijic) is there are numerous varieties of tequila and the ones that are good are quite good for sipping and are as smooth as my favorite bourbon.  The distillation process seems to be the key.  Each time the juice goes through a distillation process, it gets smoother.  In addition tequila is stored in barrels for from one to three years. The barrels (American Oak) are toasted from light to dark, resulting in clear tequila, to light brown to a darker brown.  Most of the good tequilas are 100% blue agave and are high end but clear…Anjeo   

Probably more that you really wanted to know.  We visited Jose Cuervo factory and Sauza who seem to have a corner on the tequila market.…both very interesting tours.  Here are some of the photos

These are the "pineapples" as they are called.  After all the blue agave leaves are chopped away, these are off to the factory to be crushed.  The workers are paid by the kilo and can harvest over 100 + in a day.  

Here I am with my trusty pick-axe giving a demonstration on how to plant an agave.  After digging a small hole, you pull back the dirt and insert a small plant...simple....then wait for 8 years and come back and harvest.   

Angie prefers the more refined and quicker method of tasting.  No waiting around for this woman. 

If you are in the area, I would highly recommend a trip to the distilleries.  Good information and I at least know what I am looking for when I browse the multitude of tequilas produced in Mexico.