Agave Spirits: The Past, Present and Future of Mezcals
In the production of mezcal, there may be as many as forty-two species of agaves, in twenty-four Mexican states; and well over two hundred folk varieties recognized. The main used species are Agave salmiana, Agave angustifolia, Agave cupreata, Agave esperrimia Jacobi, Agave webericela, Agave durangensis, and Agave potatorum.
To fully understand agave and its natural benefits, let's take a closer look at how it is made.
Health Benefits of AgaveOaxaca, in southern Mexico, is the best place to try the country’s renowned mezcal.
Oaxaca Plays a Vital RoleWhat is mezcal? Colloquially mezcal means anything roasted from the agave plant.
Touring Mezcal CountryExploring and celebrating the cultural, commercial, and culinary significance of the agave across borders.
Agave Heritage FestivalMezcal is an alcoholic beverage with a different odor and taste, when it is rested or aged in oak wood.
Fermented BeveragesIt's not the taste of a single food, but how it links back to a place. It's recipes and ingredients.
The Flavor of TucsonMezcal Recipes
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Coming Soon
We will have more recipes added, when Agave Spirits: The Past, Present and Future of Mezcals is published. Stay tuned! In the mean time, visit…
Mezcal-Marinated Fajitas
The mezcal and fish sauce in these fajitas make for a surprisingly good combination. You’ll get a smoky, earthy flavor from the mezcal, while the…
Mezcal-Marinated Steak Tacos
In this taco recipe, the steak gets a double dose of flavor from a marinade made with mezcal and the sauce from canned chipotle chiles.…
Pan-Roasted Shrimp With Tomatoes and Arbol Chiles
Shrimp are like cotton balls, absorbing the flavor of whatever they bathe in. Whitney Otawka developed this dish for Cinco y Diez in Athens, Ga.…
Salmon with Bacanora
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter Salmon fillet 2 tablespoons ground black pepper 3 tablespoons Santa Cruz Chili pepper 2 onces Bacanora ( Mezcal…
Spiced Pineapple-Agave Tepache
Tepache is a mildly alcoholic probiotic beverage that is fermented but not distilled. This version draws upon the inulins of two CAM succulents—rather than cane…
Spicy Mezcal Drumstick Skewers
Tired of all the big meals are similar flavors that the holidays bring? Spice things up a bit with these Spicy Mezcal Drumstick Skewers. Marinated…
Spicy Shredded "Chicken" Tofu Tacos w/ Chipotle Crema and Mezcal Lime Corn
And you thought vegans didn't have fun. Today, we are going to be working on a rendition of a chicken tacos…made out of tofu. Prep…
In the news
- 15 Jun
Local Author and Ethnobotanist Wins a James Beard Award
Read moreThe James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the 2024 James Beard Media Awards in Chicago on June 8. The awards, often referred to as
- 02 Apr
The Paperback Release of Agave Spirits is now available
Read moreThe paperback release of Agave Spirits by WW Norton marks a year of critical praise not just for the Suro-Nabhan collaboration of four years in
- 08 Sep
Apples and Agave with Diane Flynt, David Suro Piñeda, and Gary Paul Nabhan
Read moreThis week, we dive into the world of apples and agave. First, we talk with apple historian Diane Flynt, author of Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived:
- 30 Aug
This Fall Fermentation Fest Celebrates Live Culture
Read moreWormfarm Institute announced today that its popular Fermentation Fest: A Live Culture Convergence will return to Witwen Park in the heart of rural Sauk County,
What people are saying about mezcal
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Hopefully it’s giving opportunities to new regions to share in the monumental success of the category. Spread the love, spread their traditions.
Ivan Vasquez -
There’s something magical and spiritual about the way mezcal is made, because it’s under the ground.
Sonya Auvray Vega -
If we don’t teach the mezcaleros to grow, the industry will go like tequila.
Santiago Suárez