Posted on 07/25/2008 12:41:55 PM PDT by nickcarraway
For years, cheap imported garlic has been cutting into the bottom line of Gilroy's signature crop. Now one entrepreneur has come to the Garlic Capital of the World to grow the key ingredient in tequila, agave.
Grower Frank Leal has made an award-winning winery business in the hills above Hollister. Planting 10 acres of blue agaves, he has set his sights on being the first to bottle California's take on tequila.
Our video report has more (Link)
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TEQUILA
Just say YES
Technically, wouldn’t it be mezcal instead of tequila?
Agave is a beautiful plant on so many different levels, much like hops.
Sign me up for some cento por cento Añejo when it’s ready. I take mine three fingers with a single piece of ice thank you.
Yes. The rule is, nothing made outside of Mexico can be called tequila. Possibly even nothing made outside the tequila area, and only the blue agave is used for tequila.
For something to be branded “tequila” it must contain 50+% agave.
Gave it up years ago but Good Luck!
And be produced in Mexico.
And agave nectar makes some damn fine sweet tea. It is the only sugar substitute (including honey) that can sweeten tea Southern Style.
1/3 cup agave nectar to 2 quarts tea for those interested. That’s about half as much sugar one would use to make proper sweet tea.
Mezcal VS Tequila
Few understand the difference between tequila and mezcal, and many dont even know there is a difference. While traditionally, all tequilas were known as a type of mezcal. Today, they are distinct products, differentiated by the production process and taste, much the same way rye whisky differs from Scotch whiskey. Most mezcal is made today in the state of Oaxaca, although some is also made in Guerrero and other states. Tequila comes from the northwestern state of Jalisco (and a few nearby areas). They both derive from varieties of the Agave plant, known to the natives as mexcalmetl. Tequila is made from only agave tequilana Weber, blue variety. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from five different varieties of agave. Tequila is double distilled and a few brands even boast triple distillation. Mezcal is often only distilled once.
To make mezcal, the sugar-rich heart of the agave called the piña, is baked in a rock-lined pit oven over charcoal, and covered with layers of palm-fiber mats and earth, giving mezcal a strong, smoky flavor. Tequila piñas are baked or steamed in aboveground ovens or autoclaves.
Tequila and mezcal share a similar amount of alcohol in the bottle (around 38-40%), although mezcals tend to be a little stronger. Because mezcal feels a little more like lava as it flows down the back of your throat it is not quite as popular. This is evident in the number of brands of each type of drink. Currently there are over 500 different brands of tequila while the manlier mezcal boasts only 100 brands.
I visited Tequila, Mexico once and toured one of the factories. It was a lot of fun. It's not too far from Guadalajara. There's also a booze train called the Tequila Express between Guad and Tequila. The booze starts flowing when the train leaves Guad. I haven't done that one yet, but I will someday.
IIRC, it must be at least double distilled since it's toxic after just a single distillation. And, yes, Mexico is extremely aggressive when it comes to protecting the Tequila trademark. Next to oil, it's Mexico's most lucrative export. The invention of the Margarita has pumped billions of dollars into the Mexican economy over the years.
It’s may favorite import from Mexico next to oil. I like me some burritos too.
There's not much garlic being planted anymore in part because there's a garlic disease in the soil that can't be removed. Most of the soil is ruined.
It doesn't take much garlic though to put it on the map. It's one of the few places where airplane pilots can get a geographic fix by smell.
TEQUILA!
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Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness? Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Tequila. Tequila is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Tequila can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that youre ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Tequila almost immediately, and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past, (well shyness anyway) and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Tequila. Tequila may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Tequila. However, women who wouldnt mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it. Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister. Tequila. Leave Shyness Behind.
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