Learn about the origin of Tequila

It wasn't margaritas or palomas that gave rise to tequila. Before it became the favorite alcohol at Mexican parties, the distillate from blue agave already held an important place in the national culinary culture. We invite you to discover the origin of tequila, the most famous distillate of Mexico. Before stills arrived in America, Indigenous people were already producing their own alcoholic beverages. Specifically, the fermented drink made from the sap of the agave is the direct predecessor of tequila. This traditional drink, called pulque, is sweet, thick, and has a milky color. Although it is also obtained from an agave, the alcohol content of pulque is much lower, averaging only 7.9°. The Spanish conquest not only resulted in the mixing of the population but also brought new ingredients and cooking methods. This enriched the country's cuisine, leading to new dishes and, of course, new drinks. When the Spanish discovered the large amount of sugar present in the hearts of blue agaves, they decided to cook and distill them, thus creating the famous tequila. Despite the great purity of this drink, for a long time the consumption of tequila was limited to the lower social classes, especially during the Porfirio Díaz era, when any foreign product (mainly French) was synonymous with quality and good taste. It was after the Revolution that people began to drink more tequila, significantly increasing its demand and, therefore, its production. Although it was initially produced only in Tequila (Jalisco), today all municipalities in the state, as well as others in Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, and Guanajuato, have the designation of origin. With the boom of the golden age of Mexican cinema and globalization, tequila began to gain popularity worldwide, to the point of becoming the most exported beverage today. It is estimated that 400 liters of tequila are exported every minute, 80% of which goes to the United States. Now that you know more about the blue agave distillate, are you in the mood for a cocktail with tequila? You'll love these recipes: Tequila Cosmopolitan Paloma Frozen Margarita Tequila Gin   Sources: Unionjalisco.mx Liquor.com Elpais.com