Introduction of Tequila
Tequila is a regional specific name for a distilled beverage. The main ingredient for making this drink is the Blue Agave plant. It primarily comes from Tequila city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It has a regional specificity. It flourishes well in the red volcanic soils. The Blue Agave of the Highlands is larger, sweeter and tasty. The lowland Agave has more herbaceous fragrance and flavor (Petzke 185). Tequila is the first indigenous North American spirit.
The Mexican laws require that it is only the state of Jalisco and a few Municipalities that can produce Tequila (Petzke 185). Mexico has managed to export the product in very many countries. It has also managed to make the destination countries accept it as a Mexican product (Petzke 185). The North American Free Trade Agreement protects it in the United States of America and Canada. Some bilateral agreements with individual countries like Israel, Japan, and among others also seek to protect it. The European Union has also added it to the list of protected designation of origin.
Recognition of Tequila
By fermenting and distilling the juices of one the Blue Agave, Tequila comes into existence (Lester 328). Since the 19th century, the production process has kept on improving. The transport network and the industry have enabled the drink to be acceptable as a national brand and pride of the entire nation (Lester 328).
Tequila is a national drink in Mexico. It is also a unique symbol of culture and environment. Tequila production started very many years ago (Kretchmer 257). It was the Aztec people who produced it first. The Spaniards used the Agave plant for the first time to distil one of the first spirits in North America (Petzke 250). There have been developments on the brand as many multinational and family businesses continue to produce several tastes of the brands (Kretchmer 257).
The Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico did not allow flavored Tequila to carry the Tequila name but later on allowed them (Lester 328). The exception was only for the 100% Agave Tequila. There are over one hundred species of Agave growing in Mexico. Each of the species produces a little different drink. But the most famous is the Tequila and Mezcal (Lester 328).
The Role of Tequila in Mexico
The Aztecs were the first producers of Tequila. They used it to appease the gods because they thought it was a gift from them. They enjoyed it with royalty and aristocracy. There were also several annual festivities whereby they took the drink only for drunkenness. The traditional people used it for libation (Kretchmer 257).
Many people do not know the exact origin of the name Tequila. Tequila town had existed way before even the residents discovered the drink. Manufacturing of all Tequila beer happens in this city area. A majority of the citizens in the city earn their living from working in the distilleries. Some work in the Agave plantations while others work in the numerous tourist shops that support the industry (Lester 328). The town started depending on this crop way back during the Spanish conquest.
Analysis and Conclusion
Tequila existed very many years as a traditional drink. They absorbed it for use during some festivals. However, due to its acceptability by the residents of Tequila town and the citizens of Mexico it grew to become a national brand. The nation has further introduced it into the International arena to make it become an equal competitor with other spirits and beers. It has gained the international fame and also managed to secure its protection rights as a Mexican brand. However, the drink faces problems to satisfy the ever-growing appetite of the world. It would need a lot of Agave plant that is diminishing in the market.
Works Cited
Kretchmer, Laurence. Mesa Grill Guide to Tequila. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1998. Print.
Lester, P. A. I only Drink Tequila. Birmingham: Protean, 2002. Print.
Petzke, Karl. Tequila. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2009. Print.