What Is Tequila Made From ?

Tequila is made from the blue Weber agave plant, specifically its core called the piña. The process begins with harvesting the agave plants after 7 to 10 years of growth, trimming away the leaves to reveal the piña. The piñas are then cooked in ovens or autoclaves to turn starches into sugars. Once cooked, the piñas are crushed to extract juices for fermentation. Yeast is added to the juice, converting sugars into alcohol. The liquid is distilled, usually twice, to remove impurities and concentrate the flavor. Depending on the type of tequila, it may be aged in wooden barrels to add flavors. Tequila must be produced in certain regions of Mexico, mainly Jalisco, to be labeled as such.