Description
Book SynopsisTime to put away the shot glass-tequila long ago left its spring break clichés in the dust. Today, it is not just a sophisticated global phenomenon but is poised to surpass vodka to become the number one spirit in the U.S. by sales. Which means there's no better time for A Field Guide to Tequila, the new bible on this popular spirit.
Whether you're already an aficionado who likes to slow-sip an artisanal extra-añejo or a margarita lover curious about your favourite drink and what makes it special, A Field Guide to Tequila takes you step by step into everything that makes tequila tequila, from how it came about, to how it's made, to how to select, taste, and serve it.
Beginning with the origin of every bottle of tequila-the unique blue agave (which is actually much closer, biologically, to a lily than a cactus)-it's all here: The life cycle of the blue agave and the complex process of turning it into liquor (hint: There's harvesting, steaming, roasting, and-still in use in one legendary distillery-working mules). The five classes of tequila, including the unfortunate myth of blanco's inferiority. How to read a tequila label. The seventeen tequila producers to know and brands you need to explore, from giants of the industry like Patrón and José Cuervo to traditionalists, artisans, and innovators, including Tapatío, Siete Leguas, Ocho, G4, and Cava de Oro. The real deal with so many celebrity tequila brands, a phenomenon that started with Bing Crosby. How to set up a tequila tasting. A complete guide to tequila tourism, including dos and don'ts for visiting the town of Tequila, best times to go, essential stops, and a glossary of Spanish. Oh, and a recipe for a best-ever margarita, plus three other classic tequila cocktails, including the Rolling Stones' favourite, the tequila sunrise.
With its striking visuals and appealing package, A Field Guide to Tequila is a go-to reference that felicitously also feels like a real gift book-and vice versa.
Trade ReviewSzczech leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive guide to Mexico’s most celebrated agave spirit. From his expert explanations of the nuts and bolts of production to his thoughtful exploration of industry trends and debunking of myths, he distills his knowledge and experience into an enjoyable read.
A Field Guide to Tequila is a valuable resource for the serious agave enthusiast and the casual dabbler alike.—
Emma Janzen, Author of Mezcal: The History, Craft and Cocktails of the World's Ultimate Artisanal Spirit, and co-author of The Way of the Cocktail and The Bartender's ManifestoA Field Guide to Tequila offers a profound yet accessible dive into the world of tequila. This much-anticipated book is replete with rich historical and cultural detail and offers fresh perspectives on tequila marketing, regulatory policies, and environmental concerns. Szczech’s close attention to the people and communities shaping, and shaped by, tequila sets his writing apart.
A Field Guide to Tequila will be an invaluable resource for aficionados and novices alike.—
Dr. Marie Sarita Gaytán, author of ¡Tequila!: Distilling the Spirit of MexicoSzczech deftly navigates a vast landscape of information and presents it in a way that’s rich with detail yet easy to understand. A definitive book on not only the spirit itself, but the stories of the people and the place that make tequila so special.—
Jeffrey Morgenthaler, author of The Bar Book and Drinking DistilledThis is the tequila book the world needs....Szczech has done a great job at nailing the parameters that make it what it is, along with highlighting some of the largest and most traditional players in the category. This is now the first book I recommend about the category.—
Camper English, author of Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and CocktailsTable of ContentsChapter 1: Defining Tequila What is Tequila?
Tequila History: From the Spanish Conquest to Early Exports
Agaves and Humans: A Love Story
The Goddess Mayahuel and Pulque Basic Agave Biology
Blue Agave: What Tequila Is Made Of
Blue Agave Reproduction and Seeking the Perfect Plant
Is Tequila Bad for Bats? Tequila History: From the Birth of the Modern Industry to Legal Adulteration
The
Denominación de Origen de Tequila (DOT): Where Tequila Comes From
Mapping the DOT: Jalisco and Beyond
The Mystery of Tamaulipas Tequila History: From Establishment of the DOT to a True Global Spirit
The
Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) and the C
onsejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT): How Tequila is Defined
The Norm
The Five Classes of Tequila
Blending Aged Tequilas
All About Additives
The Tequila Name Game
Labelling and Traceability
What’s in a NOM Number?
Cristalino Tequilas: What Are They? The Return of Quality Mixtos
Tequila as Mezcal
Chapter 2: Making Tequila Agave Cultivation
Agave Planting
Agave Growth
Agave Harvest
The Agave Price Roller Coaster Hydrolysis
Steam Cooking: Stone Ovens and Autoclaves
Roasting in Earthen Pit Ovens
Diffusers
The Diffuser Controversy Extraction
The Tahona
Formulation
Myth of the Master Distiller Fermentation
Distillation
Aging Tequila
Is Aged Tequila Better? Finishing Touches: Dilution, Filtration, and Bottling
The Methanol Bogeyman Chapter 3: Personifying Tequila Distilleries and Brands: What’s the Difference?
Big Tequila, Little Tequila Giants of the Industry:
José Cuervo
Pátron Sauza Herradura Defenders of Tradition: Tapatío
Siete Leguas
Pueblo Viejo
Celebrity Tequilas Agaveros Turned Tequileros
Cava de Oro Don Abraham
Viva México An Ascendent Generation
Cascahuín
Don Fulano Arette Innovators with a Pedigree
Ocho
G4
Fortaleza
Lalo
The Outliers: When Tequila Is Not Tequila
Chapter 4: Experiencing Tequila Tasting vs. Drinking
How to Taste Tequila
Aroma and Flavor
Glassware Matters
Tasting Flights
Hosting a Tequila Tasting
How to Organize a Formal Tasting
Tequila Tasting Competitions
How to Choose a Tequila
Rise of Non-Mexican Tequila-Style Spirits Tequila Cocktails
Paloma
Margarita
Batanga/Charro Negro
Tequila Sunrise
Visiting Tequila Country
Travel Advice
