Did you know...
... there are more than 1,100 Tequila brands registered
with the CRT!
...tequila is named after the little town of Tequila which is
located 60km from Guadalajara?
... in the United States, the consumption of premium tequila (100% de Agave) is
three times higher than Blended Whiskey?
... there was more tequila consumed than Brandy and Cognac combined?
... the consumption of tequila grew by 5.2% in 2009 compared to 2008?
(Whiskey slowed down by -0.7%, Gin only grew by 0.7%, Rum grew by 1.2% and
Vodka grew by 4.9%)
Source: Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
... the most expensive bottle of tequila sold at auction for
US$250,000 in 2006 or about GBP155,000!
(Ultra Premium Tequila Ley .925 “Pasion Azteca”)
...the town of Tequila and the surrounding area were named “UNESCO World
Heritage Site” in 2006?
... there is NO WORM in Tequila! The worm is only present in certain brands of its close cousin, Mezcal.
... the agave plant needs between 8 and 12 years to grow before it can be harvested
for tequila production.
... the agave plant is not actually a cactus, but is family of the lily?
...that the wild agave flowers are not pollinated by bees, but by bats!
... the heart of the agave which is used for tequila can weigh
more than 90kg?
... the high fructose (sugar) in the agave heart is not just used
for tequila production, but also to make agave honey!
... tequila was only actually distilled around 1600-1700! Before distillation, the indians
drank only the fermented juices. It was only when the Spanish conquistadores ran out
of their brandy, that they distilled the fermented juices to create the spirit we all enjoy now!
... the first tequila was exported to the United States in 1873.
(by road to El Paso, Texas)
... that July 24th is National Tequila Day in the United States?
Unfortunately it is not an official holiday "yet" but most people
do tend to take the day off on the 25th!
More to come soon!