 Tequila is Mexico
Added: 01/24/2006 |
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Perhaps, this would sound surprising, but the word 'tequila' so popular today is not only the name of the spirit. In fact, tequila also names the town and the valley in Mexico. Tequila spirit is North America's first distilled drink, and its roots reach back into pre-Hispanic times. Today, most of it is made in Jalisco state around the town of Tequila. The turbulent history of Mexico is paralleled in the stories of tequila, and one cannot appreciate Mexico at its fullest with no understanding tequila's place in its culture.
The town of Tequila is situated near Guadalajara in Mexico, and it is not difficult to guess what it is famous for. Perhaps, tequila spirit is the only product that identifies Mexicans as a nation. The word 'tequila' itself is a mystery. It is a common name of the spirit, the town and the valley. Tequila is North America's first distilled drink and its first commercially produced alcohol. Tequila is a heady drink made in the arid highlands of central Mexico, its base being fermented and distilled sap of the agave (maguey). Its roots reach back into pre-Hispanic times when the natives fermented sap from the local maguey plants into a drink called 'pulque'.
'Tequila wine' was first made by the Conquistadors, who distilled pulque into a stronger spirit, a few decades after the Conquest that brought the Spaniards to the New World in 1521. Tequila gained national importance during the Revolution in the early XX century, when it became a symbol of the national pride. During World War II tequila rose in popularity in the USA, and the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City helped its world-wide fame.
Today, most of the drink is made in Jalisco state around the town of Tequila. The community we now know as Tequila officially became a village in 1656. In the 1700s, mezcal wines became an important product for export, because the town of Tequila lay on the route to the newly opened Pacific port of San Blas. It was called mezcal brandy, agave wine, mezcal wine, tequila wine, and, finally, simply tequila appropriately named after Tequila town. In the 1880s, the product from Jalisco - mezcal of Tequila - became known as 'tequila', in the same way as brandy made in a certain region of France became known as 'cognac'.
There is an amazingly wide variation in tequila tastes, especially between the styles like blanco (light), reposado ('rested', seasoned) and añejo (mature). To add, tequila is used to prepare a lot of mixed drinks - for instance, Chapala drink, which consists of the following ingredients: White Tequila; Triple Sec (a strong liqueur); Grenadine syrup; Lemon Juice; Orange Juice; Orange. By the way, the word 'Chapala' is the name of the spirit, the town and the lake.
The town of Chapala was founded in 1538 by a Franciscan Fray Miguel Bolonia. Chapala is located on the shores of Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico located 42 kilometers south of Guadalajara in Jalisco state at 1,524 meters above sea-level. The climate here is moderate, tropical and sub-humid with a single summer rainy season. You can enjoy all your favorite activities at the lakeside. And just four hours drive to the Pacific West Coast to visit Puerto Vallarta.
Truth be told, no other drink is surrounded by as many stories and myths as tequila. They transcend simple definition by reaching into the heart of Mexico, past and present. The chaotic history of Mexico is paralleled in the stories of tequila. In the 400 years following the Conquest tequila has become an icon of Mexican nationality and culture recognized worldwide. One cannot fully appreciate Mexico if not perceive tequila's trace in its history and culture.
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