Tequila is a Mexican vodka obtained from agave juice that has undergone alcoholic fermentation. In the store, you can find various types of tequila, the price of which ranges from several dozen to several hundred zlotys. How to drink tequila? Tequila can be drunk in the form of a shot or made into drinks, the most popular of which are tequila sunrise or margarita drink. Check what you can drink tequila with and how many calories it has.
Contents:
- Tequila - types of tequila
- Tequila - tequila production
- Tequila - effect on he alth
- Tequila sunrise - calories, nutritional values
- Tequila - how to drink tequila?
- Tequila - tequila-based drinks
Tequilais a high-strength (35-55% alcoholic) Mexican drink that is obtained from the blue agave (Latin Agave tequilana).
Tequila was first produced in the 16th century in Mexico, near the town of Tequila, by the Spanish conquistadors, who took the brandy and began to obtain blue agave high-strength liquor.
Mass production of tequila began several decades later near the state of Jelisco, and its initiator was Don Pedro Sanchez de Tagle.
In the nineteenth century it was recognized that tequila could only be produced in areas where blue agave grows, and this rule is still valid today. According to Mexican law, tequila can only be produced in a few states - Jalisco and in some areas of the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas.
Tequila - types of tequila
Tequila is divided into two categories
- due to the content of agave juice - 100 percent. tequila made exclusively from blue agave juice
- tequila mixto, which is at least 51 percent. consists of agave juice, the rest are sugars, usually cane sugars.
Among the two categories, there are several types of tequila:
- Blanco (tequila silver) - white tequila, maturing for up to two months in stainless steel barrels or bottled immediately after distillation. It has a distinct agave aroma
- Joven (tequila gold) - it is usually a tequila mixto obtained by adding dyes and flavorings. It can also be obtained by mixing blanco tequila with reposado orwith anejo. It's a cheaper type of tequila
- Reposado - matured for 2 to 11 months in oak barrels, has a characteristic wood flavor and golden color
- Anejo - matured for a minimum of a year in oak barrels, has an amber color and a rich, complex flavor
- Extra anejo - aged for at least three years in oak barrels, mahogany in color
Tequila - tequila production
Tequila is obtained from blue agave, which is grown in orchards called potreros. The techniques of planting, cultivating and harvesting agave are passed down from generation to generation and take place without the use of agricultural machinery.
Tequila is recognized as a Mexican protected designation of origin and is a protected geographical indication in European countries.
Tequila is prepared using pinas (juicy agave kernels), which are slowly baked after harvesting in order to break down complex fructans into simple sugars (mainly fructose) and grinding or crushing under a large stone wheel to obtain agave juice .
The agave juice is then fermented and distilled twice. Tequila tastes vary by origin: highland tequila is often sweeter with a stronger fruit flavor, while lowland tequila tastes earthy.
Tequila is characterized by a wide range of colors - from transparent to dark amber. Its color depends on the length of the maturing process (it can take from two months to three years) and the type of wood from which the barrels used for its storage are made.
Tequila - production process
See what the tequila production process looks like. From collecting blue agave to bottling.
Source: Youtube.com/Trip in México
Tequila - effect on he alth
Drinking tequila in excess, as with other alcoholic drinks, is bad for your he alth. However, some studies have found that tequila can have he alth benefits when consumed in moderate amounts. However, the direct benefits of drinking tequila have not been proven.
Potential beneficial effects of tequila:
- may help in the treatment of osteoporosis among the elderly. Tequila - specifically the fructans contained in the blue agave used to make tequila - has been found to stimulate the absorption of calcium from the blood, thereby promoting bone growth and regeneration
- has a prebiotic effect, thanks to the presence of inulin, which is a breeding ground for intestinal bacteria beneficial to the body. Affects their growth, but consuming tequila in excess destroys the bacterial flora
- has littlecalories - the popular Tequila sunrise cocktail in 100 g contains only 110 kcal
- increases the appetite
Tequila and diabetes
The agavins sugar in tequla (not to be confused with the sugar in agave syrup) does not raise blood glucose levels because the human body cannot digest it. This is the conclusion of researchers from the American Chemical Society. They conducted a study on mice, which they divided into two groups. The first one received ordinary water to drink, and the second one received water with the addition of the aforementioned sugar (i.e. agavins).
It turned out that the mice that drank "enriched" water had less desire to eat and lower sugar levels than the controls. In addition, mice consumed with agavins water showed the production of the hormone GLP-1, which is responsible for the feeling of satiety and produces insulin.
Researchers speculate that agavins may help people with type 2 diabetes or those struggling with excess weight. More research is needed to confirm this theory, so it is not recommended to consume tequila and other alcohol excessively.
Source: www.acs.org
Worth knowingTequila sunrise - calories, nutritional values (in 100 g)Energy value - 100 kcal Total protein - 0.30 g Fat - 0.10 g Carbohydrates - 11.30 g Fiber - 0 gVitaminsThiamine - 0.038 mg Riboflavin - 0.016 mg Niacin - 0.190 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.050 mg Folic acid - 11 µg Vitamin A - 97 IU Vitamin C - 19.3 mgMineralsCalcium - 0 mg Iron - 0.02 mg Magnesium - 7 mg Phosphorus - 10 mg Potassium - 10 mg Sodium - 57 mg Zinc - 0.60 mg
Data Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
Tequila - how to drink tequila?
In Mexico, tequila is most often drunk without additives. In some regions, tequila is served with sangrita, and alternating between tequila and sangrita (an alcoholic drink based on orange juice, tomato juice, lime juice, sugar syrup, tabasco).
In addition, a drink called the flag is popular in Mexico, consisting of three glasses: lime juice (green), white tequila and sangrita (red), which resembles the Mexican flag.
Outside Mexico, tequila is usually drunk with s alt and a lime slice. is the so-called Tequila cruda. When drinking, the back of the hand is moistened, s alt is sprinkled on it, which is then licked off, sipped with tequila and a lime slice is sucked.
In Germany, tequila is drunk with a slice of orange sprinkled with cinnamon.
Tequila - tequila-based drinks
The most popular tequila cocktails are:
- Margarita cocktail - made with tequila, triple sec liqueur and lemon or lime juice
- Tequila sunrise cocktail - with tequila, orange juice and grenadine syrup
- Long Island Iced Sea cocktail - it consists of vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec liqueur, lemon or lime juice, sugar syrup, cola
- Paloma cocktail - a dry, refreshing drink with tequila and grapefruit juice
- Tequila sour cocktail - here tequila is complemented by egg white, lime juice, agave syrup and bitters - Angostura.
- Bloody Aztec cocktail - tequila is mixed with white creme de menthe liqueur and ice cubes
The most expensive tequila in the world
The Mexican distillery has produced a tequila that has the potential to become the most expensive tequila thanks to its platinum diamond studded bottle. The price is $ 3.5 million. The high-alcoholic drink inside is a seven-year-old tequila from Jalisco, Mexico.
Source: Youtube.com/Associated Press