Tequila and mezcal are both distilled from the harvested core of the agave plant, also known as the “pia.” However, the similarities in production end there. Tequila is typically made by steaming agave in industrial ovens before distilling it twice or three times in copper pots. Read through to answer the question Mezcal vs Tequila.
What is Mezcal?
Mezcal is an agave-based liquor. There are 28 types of agave plants that are used to produce mezcal. In most cases, the agave plant’s heart, also known as the pia, is slow-roasted in a pit in the ground.
The agave hearts are mashed and fermented after they have been roasted.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a subcategory of mezcal. They derive it from a single plant: blue agave, also known as agave tequilana. To make tequila, the pias of blue agave are usually roasted or steamed rather than cooked in a pit.
As a result, most tequilas lack the smoky undertones associated with mezcal. After cooking, they mashed the pias and fermented them.
Find out how Tequila and Mezcal are made
What does Tequila and Mezcal Taste like?
Tequila’s flavor will vary depending on where they grow the agave and how old the tequila is. Blanco tequilas have an earthy yet sweet flavor, and they bottle them soon after distillation.
Reposado tequila has a softer oak flavor and is more mellow than Blanco.
What’s the Difference Between Tequila and Mezcal?
If you like Mexican spirits and alcohol, you’ve probably heard of and tried Tequila and its more sophisticated big brother, Mezcal. Below are the difference between Tequila and Mezcal.
1. Both are Made from the Agave Plant but the Type of Agave Differs
Tequila technically falls under the umbrella term “mezcal,” because mezcal is simply the name for any agave-based liquor.
According to food & Wine, they must make tequila from blue agave, whereas they can make mezcal from other types of agave such as tobalá, tobaziche, tepeztate, arroqueo, and espadn.
2. They’re Distilled Differently
Tequila and mezcal are both distilled from the harvested core of the agave plant, also known as the “pia.” However, the similarities in production end there.
3. They’re Produced in Different Regions
While there is some overlap in geography, tequila and mezcal are primarily produced in different parts of Mexico.
They produce tequila in five states, according to McEvoy: Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco, where the town of Tequila is located.
See more differences Here
Tequila is a specific type of mezcal, made only with the blue agave plant. To make tequila, the plant is usually steamed or baked before fermenting, so tequila doesn’t have the same smoky flavor.
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