While there are over 220 different types of agave that grow in Mexico, true tequila is only made with one type of agave plant grown in certain regions of the Jalisco state. According to Decanter, the five Mexican states that can legally produce tequila include Jalisco, Guanajuanto, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Nayarit.

Why can tequila only come from Mexico?

Where Can Tequila Legally Be Made? Despite the presence of more than 220 different types of agave plants in Mexico, true tequila is produced only with one type of agave plant grown in certain areas of the state of Jalisco.

Why can't other countries make tequila?

Why Can Mexico Only Make Tequila? American tequila doesn't exist because, by law, it must be made in Jalisco or in certain regions in the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas to qualify.

Can tequila be made in the USA?

Home > Tequila > Is Any Tequila Made In Usa? Tequila Can't Be Found in the United States. There is an obvious reason why there is no American tequila: Tequila must be made in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas to qualify under Mexican law.

Can it be called tequila if its not made in Mexico?

Tequila can only be called tequila if it is made from 100 percent Blue Weber agave and produced in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, as well as some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

HOW TEQUILA IS MADE IN MEXICO

Is it illegal to make tequila outside of Mexico?

So, what is tequila when it's not from Mexico? Since Tequila is illegal to produce outside of Mexico, most brands that attempt to imitate the brand do so by calling the drink by other names such as Agave or something to do with Mezcal.

Why does tequila taste different in Mexico?

Why Is Tequila Different In Mexico? An agave plant is the source of tequila, which is distilled from it. Despite the presence of more than 220 types of agave plants in Mexico, true tequila can only be produced using a single kind of agave plant found in the state of Jalisco.

Can you grow agave outside of Mexico?

Agave (and Sotol) Plants in the United States do not recognize borders, so the plant growing in the Southwest (which is used to make Tequila, Mezcal, Bacanora, Raicilla, and many other Mexican spirits) can grow freely.

What is considered the best tequila in the world?

What is the Best Tequila?

• Roca Patrón Reposado. ...
• Casamigos Blanco. ...
• Santo Mezquila. ...
• Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. ...
• Casa Noble Anejo Tequila. ...
• Código 1530 Rosa Tequila. ...
• Chamucos Blanco Tequila. ...
• Cenote Blanco Tequila.

What are the 5 states that are allowed to produce tequila?

Tequila From Start To Finish

For starters, in order for a spirit to be called “Tequila” it MUST come from one of five authorized states in Mexico: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas. Most Tequilas come from the state of Jalisco, where the actual town of Tequila, MX resides.

Which country makes best tequila?

Tequila originated in Jalisco, Mexico. Pure tequila is 100% blue agave; cheap tequila is often only 50%.

Does Mexico own the rights to the word tequila?

Just as the French own the name Champagne, the Mexican government holds -- and vigorously protects -- the rights to the name tequila.

Can you grow agave in America?

The United States of Agave (and Sotol)

Plants don't respect boundaries so agave (the plant used for Tequila, Mezcal, Bacanora, Raicilla, and many other Mexican Spirits) grows freely in the US, especially in the arid Southwest.

Can you make tequila in California?

You can't call it Tequila but Californians are making their own agave spirit. Legally “Tequila” and “Mezcal” can only be made in Mexico but it's perfectly legal for anyone to try their hand at making a Spirit from the agave plant which gives those legendary spirits their distinctive identities.

Is blue agave illegal?

Tequila is legally required to be only 51% blue agave.

Many tequilas will advertise themselves as '100% Blue Agave,' but the legal requirement is 51%. Distillers are allowed to fill out the rest with a neutral spirit made from cane sugar juice, creating what is known as a “mixto” tequila.

Can you make tequila in Texas?

Tequila can only be made in Mexico, so Mexican tequila is the only type of true tequila available in the world. Tequila can only be called tequila in limited regions of Mexico because the spirit is created from the blue agave plant.

What is the number 1 tequila in Mexico?

1. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver tequila is a pure tequila and not a tequila mixto. This Blanco tequila has a sweet and complex bouquet with a balanced flavor.

What are the 3 types of tequila?

Types of Tequila

Reposado – Tequila aged between 2-12 months in oak barrels. Joven – A mixture of Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Añejo – Tequilas aged between 1-3 years in oak barrels. Extra Añejo is aged 3 years or more.

Is Jose Cuervo real tequila?

Is Cuervo Real Tequila? A Cuervo Especial product is a mixed tequila. Unlike regular white tequilas, Especial Silver contains at least 51% agave. The rest of the spirit comes from sugarcane.

Can any other country make tequila?

Mexico is actually the only place where tequila can be made, so Mexican tequila is the only type of true tequila available. Even within Mexico, there are only a few regions where the spirit created from the blue agave plant is allowed to be called tequila.

Is all tequila from Jalisco?

The origin of tequila is unknown. Aside from some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas, tequila is only produced in the state of Jalisco and in Jalisco itself. To put it another way, all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.

What is considered real tequila?

Look for either “100 percent blue Weber agave” or “100 percent agave.” If it doesn't say that, then the tequila is most likely a mixto. By law, tequila must be made with 51 percent agave, and producers can technically add whatever cheaper spirit they want to fill out the other 49 percent.

What's the difference between tequila from Mexico and USA?

The Mexican law allows tequila to be between 35% to 55% alcohol. United States goes from 40%. But most of the tequila that is sold in Mexico is 38% alcohol or 35% alcohol.

Why is tequila 40% in the US?

The alcoholic graduation of a tequila also depends on the law of the country in which the product will be sold. For example, if we want to export our tequilas to the United States, our tequilas must have at least 40% ABV. If a tequila has less than this 40% ABV, it can't be sold as tequila in the US.

Why is Mexican tequila smoother?

"The process of aging tequila allows it to mellow into a smoother and different taste while capturing the subtle undertones from the wooden barrels each batch is aged in. Depending on the barrels used, and the maturation length, aging can affect the taste of each batch differently."