If you enjoy Mexican spirits and alcohol, you have heard of and tried the legendary Tequila and its more refined big brother Mezcal. Although they belong to the same family, these Agave-made traditional Mexican spirits differ somewhat which every spirit enthusiast should be aware of. Explore the “How is mezcal different from tequila” in our blog.
Mezcal And Tequila: Just What Are They?
Like scotches and bourbon are forms of whiskey, tequila is a type of mezcal. Mezcal is any agave-derived spirit. This includes tequila, made in particular regions of Mexico, and must be made from just blue agave (agave tequilana), although Mezcal can be made from a broad spectrum of agave.
Location
Mezcal and Tequila are made in separate parts of Mexico, however there are some similarities.
Mezcal is different from tequila largely in manufacturing technique. Made from an agave plant are tequila and mezcal. Harvesting the agave plant takes six to ten years to completely mature; it is a labor of love. Though it appears spiky, the agave is a succulent sometimes referred to as the century plant.
Not at all like a cactus. Although both Tequila and Mezcal come from agave, that marks their end of similarities.
Manufacturing Process
Step 1: Made from the blue agave plant is tequila. The agave plant is still grown by hand today, and decades of “know-how” are needed to do this right. The harvester, sometimes known as “Jimador,” removes the agave leaves with a sharp curved tool known as a Coa when the blue agave plant reaches maturity. Tequila is made from the heart, or “pina,” of the agave after the leaves are removed.
Step 2: The agave is then steam-cooked in an industrial oven, which starts a chemical reaction inside the piña to break down complicated carbs into simple fermentable sugars. Additionally softening the agave assists the steaming process and facilitates sugar extraction. Once cooked, the agave pinas undergo a grinding procedure to crush them so releasing the juice within. After fermentation. This liquid becomes alcohol; next, two to three times distillation produces Tequila. This shows How is mezcal different from tequila because of their different manufacturing processes.
Step 3: You can create mezcal from several different agave plants. They gather similarly to the blue agave used in Tequila. But the agave pinas used in Mezcal have their smokey taste from their ground fire pit cooking. The agave pinas are crushed in a mill to extract the sugars once roasted.
Step 4: The agave is crushed and then put in oak barrels to ferment with water. Moreover, the agave mash is next twice distilled and mixed to produce a smooth liquor after fermentation. At last, the mezcal either ages in oak barrels or is bottled straight away.
In Taste, What Distinguishes Tequila from Mezcal?
To understand How is mezcal different from tequila in taste it is important to know that the taste differs from bottle to bottle. “Mezcal generally has a denser mouthfeel with a predominance of roasted agaves. The taste is like a rich, almost savory candy yam or sweet potato mixed with a bit of brewer’s yeast. It has several strong flavor profiles from mezcal including tropical fruits, creamy caramels, sweet and bitter chocolates, vanilla, and herbs. By contrast, tequilas are typically more citrus-forward and lighter-bodied.
The type of agave will affect the taste of tequila and mezcal, just as a grape variety and the area of production might reveal hints of how a wine tastes. “Terroir variances produce distinctive flavor and aroma profiles.
“Mezcal is unique because agave used in its production comes in well over three dozen varieties.” Mezcal is like the rest of the wine scene. “Just as in this wine scenario, mezcal uses many different kinds of agaves, which adds much more variation in scent and taste.”
How You Should Drink Mezcal and Tequila in The Best Way?
Tequila is all about sipping it deliberately at room temperature to understand the core of this amazing Mexican spirit, even though some enjoy it chilled or with salt and lime.
If people are drinking good quality tequila, I say drink it the way you most enjoy it.” That means, personally, always drinking it neat. This is the greatest approach to enjoying the complex smells and tastes of the spirit and serving tequila chilled with ice or drops of water will make it less appealing than when drunk plain.
Regarding mezcal, just drink it as it is or in cocktails. “Leave the ice in the freezer when drinking mezcal on its own. We advise trying the spirit in cocktails if first-time participants find it demanding. “Even a basic mezcal margarita is a delicious way to approach learning about this beautiful spirit.
However, eating a meal sip with in a wide-mouth glass cup is a great way to appreciate handcraft mezcal. “Mezcal works with all kinds of food but, in my modest view, pairs very nicely with Mexican and Japanese food. It is also preferable to finish dinner with a mezcal with a sweet caramel and vanilla taste.
Could You Use Mezcal Instead of Tequila?
Yes! Make any gin or vodka cocktail using mezcal. If you’re nervous about going full-on with mezcal, start by only swapping half of the tequila in your Margarita or Paloma. You can also add a tiny 1/4-oz float of mezcal into your tequila cocktail.
Overview: how different is mezcal from tequila?
- Made in several parts of Mexico
- Made from many agave varieties
- Various cooking and distillation techniques
- Various methods of aging
- Varieties of tastes
Now you already know How is mezcal different from tequila. Explore the great range of Tequila and Mezcal we offer for you at The Hotspot Liquor.
Apart from this, however, both mezcal and tequila are agave-based spirits with rich customs and unique tastes, their manufacturing techniques and geographical sources define them mostly.
Thus, Hotspot Liquor distinguishes itself in offering the greatest quality mezcal and tequila because of its careful selection process, dedication to authenticity, and alliances with prestigious producers who respect strict criteria of workmanship. Their knowledge guarantees that every bottle captures the actual spirit of these remarkable liquids, hence Hotspot Liquor is the preferred choice for both connoisseurs and drinkers.