Owner of Tequilas Restaurant explores mezcal and the environmental implications of its new popularity
Mezcal is a centuries-old spirit with roots in ancient Mexican culture. Agave, the succulent that is roasted and mashed to create mezcal, even had its own Aztec goddess; Mayahuel, in folklore, fed the plant's sap to her 400 children, known as the Centzon Tōtōchtin, or "drunken bunnies."
A Heritage Plant for Our Time: Gary Nabhan Discusses His New Book on Agaves
Patagonia resident, award-winning ethnobotanist and Native Seeds/Search co-founder Gary Nabhan has a new book out, the 40th (or so) in his long career. Co-authored with Philadelphia restaurateur and agave advocate David Suro Pinera, Agave Spirits: The Past, Present and Future of Mezcals (W.W. Norton) is, like so much of Nabhan’s work, an inspiring, encyclopedic read about a complex
A Conversation with David Suro-Piñera and Gary Nabhan on the Past, Present, and Future of Tequila and Mezcal
In 2022 sales of Tequila and Mezcal reached a record $6 billion in the United States according to DISCUS (Distilled Spirits Council of the United States). Driven by consumer interest in the premium and super premium categories and the growth of celebrity backed brands, the umbrella of agave spirits is the second
We Want to Thank all of the Sons and Daughters of Agave Goddess who has Sustained the Thirst of Many Friends
Mexico is in Holy Week as is much of the world. As we near the release of Agave Spirits from WW Norton we want to thank all the "sons and daughters” of the Agave Goddess Mayahuel who has sheltered, sustained, and slaked the thirst of some many of our friends.
Agave Spirits book featured at Tucson Festival of Books
It is hard not to be in awe of the beautiful diversity of the mezcal-producing species variously known as maguey, agaves, or century plants. We wish to see their rainbows of colors, splendor of shapes, and entourage of aromas not only survive but thrive.