Top 10: mezcal vs tequila facts

Lately, mezcal is trending and now that we are in the patriotic month, you may have to make the decision between this drink or tequila. Apparently, many consumers have switched from one spirit to the other, but many still do not seem to know what the real difference is or if one is better than the other. The reality is that tastes differ, but we can provide you with our top 10: mezcal vs tequila facts so you know exactly what each one is about. Contrary to what many believe, tequila is a type of mezcal; it is the result of the distillation of blue agave, while mezcal can come from various types of agave. For a mezcal to be classified as mezcal, it must be from Oaxaca (and a couple more states with Denomination of Origin like Guanajuato and Guerrero). For a tequila to be called tequila, it must come from the town of Tequila in Jalisco. Mezcal must be made 100% from agave, while tequila only needs to have 51% and other additives. For a mezcal to be mezcal, its bottle must be numbered and signed by the master mezcalero. The custom is to drink tequila in one shot; mezcal, on the other hand, should be enjoyed slowly. Tequila is consumed with salt and lime, while mezcal is served with worm salt and a slice of orange. Mezcal must always have an alcohol volume of 38.5% or higher (it can sometimes reach up to 70º). In contrast, tequila can have a lower percentage. Mezcal only needs one distillation to be ready; tequila must be distilled twice and then filtered. Mezcal can contain a maguey worm, although it is not always the case. Tequila does not have this custom.