Презентация на тему Tequila production

of piiias daily, loading and hauling them by truck

to the factory where they are cut into halves or quarters for baking. 11, .4; Rafael, Jimador at Tres Mujeres Distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco (pictured
44 y here), explained that he harvests about 80-100 agaves daily. Rafael earns about $25 in a seven-hour day harvesting as much as 3 tons of pinas. It Itakes about 7 kilos of piiia to produce 1 liter of 100% agave tequila.

Of the distilleries , method was by far the most common process being used.
The piiias are slow cooked in a steam room or traditional oven (called a horno) for about 24-36 hours. At less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit (90-95 C), the slow cooking process reduces caramelizing which can add bitter flavor and reduce the precious sugars while maintaining much of the natural agave flavor. The cooking breaks down the fibers and releases the natural juices

many manufactures to cook the agave piiias is the

autoclave. The autoclave acts as a huge pressure cooker. The autoclave method reduces the cooking time to about 18 hours. The idea is to cook the agave hearts slowly to convert the starch to sugar. Both the autoclave and horno ovens are heated with steam created by large steam generators known as "calderas". These calderas also provide steam to heat the pot stills and /or column -T `stills for distillation. The cooked pinas are then air-cooled for 8-24 hours before `entering the next stage of the process. Once cooked, the pinas are transferred to shredders that extract the precious . juices called "mosto". Some companies use a five-stage mechanical press system while other smaller operations may use a one-stage system, or something in between. Water is introduced to the shredding process to help extract the sugars from the agave fibers.

the tahona stone is labor intensive and time consuming.

Most manufacturers have discontinued use of the tahona. These wheels, weighing about two tons, are pulled by mule to crush the agave fibers. Many experts believe the tahona method yields a better product, thus some producers have maintained this capability and continue to use it for their premium brands. The mosto is transferred to large fermentation vats. Yeast is added to accelerate the process of converting the sugars into alcohol. Each company keeps their own yeast a tight secret.
' Most manufactures will ferment their product in large stainless steel tanks. However, El Tesoro Distillery (Los Altos area) uses big wooden barrels
The sugar level of the mosto is monitored during fermentation.

left to settle for about 12 hours to richen.

The fermentation yields a liquid with about 5-7% alcohol. This product is then normally double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills (called alambiques) or by use of modern stainless-steel column stills to increase its alcohol percentage and separate the desired volatile substances from the undesired ones.
Many manufacturers claim "all-natural" fermentation. The San Nicolas Distillery in Arandas uses natural yeast from one part of the agave plant to manufacture their Espolon brand, and yeast from another part of the agave plant for their Corazon Tequila. I observed another interesting variation at the old Siete Leguas factory in Atotonilco. They transfer the mosto along with the tahona-crushed agave fibers to their fermentation tanks. Siete Leguas believes keeping the fibers with the mosto during fermentation and the first distillation enhances the agave flavor. Siete Leguas blends tequila produced at their old factory with tequila produced at their new factory to achieve the desired flavor profile.
The times required for each distillation vary between manufacturers. In one factory the first distillation takes about 1V2 to 2 hours and produces about 20% alcohol content. The second distillation takes 3 to 4 hours and yields about 55% alcohol content. In another factory the first distillation takes 3 hours yielding 20-25% alcohol and the second distillation takes 6 hours to achieve a 55% alcohol content.

the "cabeza", or head, has more alcohol and unwanted

aldehydes (undesirable ethanoUmethanol), so it is discarded. , vThe middle section is the "el corazon", the heart, which is the best part and saved for 'production. The end is the "coins", or tails, which is sometimes recycled into the next distillation to make it more robust, or may also be discarded. The residue, or dregs ("vinazas") is discarded.
Upon completion of the first distillation, the product is called "Ordinario". After the second distillation, the product is called "Tequila". At this point the tequila normally has an alcohol content of 55% or higher. 55% alcohol is the equivalent of 110 proof. The product is then diluted with distilled water to reach the desired level of alcohol (normally 38 - 40%). Many manufactures use 38% alcohol content for tequila being sold in Mexico, and 40 % for tequila being exported to the United States (as this is believed to be preferred by the respective markets).
Occasionally, a manufacturer may use a triple-distillation process. Two examples are Cazadores' Corzo brand and Cofradia's Casa Noble brand. Triple-distillation (or more) does not necessarily result in a superior product compared to other brands made from double-distillation. It is however another variation to the process used by some manufactures to further refine their product.
At this point, the tequila will be bottled as a blanco, silver, plata, etc., or it can be rested (aged) in wooden barrels (to be sold as a reposado, afiejo, or extra aliejo tequila). Here it obtains its color, body, aroma and incomparable taste.
As the tequila is aged in wooden barrels, usually oak, it becomes smoother, with a woody taste and golden color. Aging may disguise the agave flavor and few tequilas are aged longer than three to four years.