TEQUILA
TEQUILA
Tequila is a regional distilled beverage and type of alcoholic drink made from the blue agave plant,
primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, 65 km (40 mi) northwest of Guadalajara,
and in the Jaliscan Highlands (Los Altos de Jalisco) of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco.
Aside from differences in region of origin, tequila is a type of mezcal (and the regions of produc-
tion of the two drinks are overlapping). The distinction is that tequila must use only blue agave
plants rather than any type of agave. Tequila is commonly served neat in Mexico and as a shot
with salt and lime across the rest of the world.
The red volcanic soil in the region around the city of Tequila is particularly well suited to the
growing of the blue agave, and more than 300 million of the plants are harvested there each year.
Agave grows differently depending on the region. Blue agaves grown in the highlands Los Altos
region are larger in size and sweeter in aroma and taste. Agaves harvested in the lowlands, on the
other hand, have a more herbaceous fragrance and flavor.