Tequila’s ever-rising popularity is all for good reason! Sweet, earthy and fruity, true quality tequilas have a luxurious mouthfeel that tells a tale of refinement. But how does tequila come to be? Learn more about the complex process behind this sensational spirit—your drink will taste even better with a note of knowledge!

Before the process can begin, the main ingredient needs to be harvested. Farmers gather blue agave using the traditional method of cutting it with a specialized knife, or a coa. Then, they cut off the leaves of the spiky succulent to reach its ripe bulb, a.k.a. the piña.

After the agave piñas are harvested and prepared, they get baked so the sugars can be easily extracted. This process most often occurs in ovens made of brick or clay, but historically, tequila makers would complete this step in large pits containing heated rocks.

Once baked, the piña is ready to be juiced! To get the most of that sweet liquid, otherwise known as mosto, the bulb gets shredded. Mechanical shredders are often used nowadays to expedite the process, but the traditional method is to use a stone wheel to crush the bulb.

Now, we get into the magic of fermentation! Spirit-izing the mosto involves placing it into wooden barrels or stainless steel tanks with yeast, where it stays for a period ranging from days to weeks. Then it’s distilled, which purifies the liquid and results in a higher concentration of alcohol. Most of the time, the distillation process will occur twice to ensure a clear liquid.

From there, we reach the last step: aging. Depending on the type of tequila, the amount of time it takes will vary. For example, the unaged clear liquid that’s the direct result of the second distillation is billed as blanco tequila. Reposado and añejo tequilas are aged from months to years in wood barrels, and joven tequila is either a mix of unaged and aged tequila or aged lightly.

As you can see, the production is truly a labor of love, and the only thing left is to enjoy! Drop by our Adult Beverage Department to raise the bar with a variety of tequilas to try in tasty recipes, other agave-based spirits like mezcal and much more!

Selection may vary by store.