Reminder: What is Agave?

Agave is a type of thorny-leaved succulent plant (not a cactus) that comes from the desert. (All cactus are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti! :>) It is native to Mexico, but cultivated in tropical countries around the world, especially in the Americas. Not only does it have cultural significance dating back to the Aztec people, but it has a number of other uses, such as:

• In foods and syrups
• In hair products, soaps, and detergents
• As insect repellent
• For fibers, rope, cloth
• For research
• In supplements and disease treatments
• Ornamental landscaping

So, yeah! Agave isn’t just a random spiky plant in the desert. It’s pretty important. And Americans might love succulents even more than they already think they do, thanks to the Agave.

Difference between Agave Tequilana and Agave Americana

We can break down the difference between two distinct and important species of Agave.

Agave Americana

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Do these look familiar?

Agave Americana is also referred to as the “century plant” (though it only lives 10-30 years) and the “American aloe plant” (though it isn’t an aloe). It takes years for the plant to flower, and this is where the nickname “century plant” comes from – it feels like it takes a century to flower. Fortunately, it’s worth the wait! The beautiful, tall, branched stalk with yellow blossoms can reach up to 30 feet high. These are often used in California and Southwest landscape design.

This species of agave is used to make agave spirits in Mexico, South Africa, the United States, and other desert-like regions of the world. Click in your seat belts: alcohol fermented from the honey-water in the cup-like center of the plants is not mezcal (or tequila, see previous blog), but pulque, and even distilled it would not be named for its cousin. Mezcals are made from the sugars in the pulpy heart (or piña) of the plants. 

Agave Tequilana

Agave Tequilana or “blue agave” is only native to the Mexican states of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Aguascalientes. It likes to grow at 5,000 feet or higher in rich soil, so not as popular in landscaping!

Since this plant is often used in the production of sugar and syrup, it allows for the creation of sweet, unique, and delicious agave spirits. A specific cultivar of this Agave Tequilana is larger and more blue-gray, and the base ingredient (and only plant used) to make authentic Mexican Tequila. In the U.S., it is often referred to as the “Blue American” or the “Blue Weber” agave.

Since all Tequila is made with the exact same species of agave plant, it gives it a more standard taste and this is reinforced by the production process. So, while there are many delicious agave spirits and Mezcals made with Agave Americana and Agave Tequilana, the Blue Weber variety is exclusive to the production of Tequila. As with wine, differences in growing conditions, soil minerals, climate and weather – all influence distinctions in the flavor. Lowland clay might produce a spicier flavor, highlands more floral, and so on. Unlike blancos, reposado and anejo varieties of tequilas are aged in barrels which again subtly change the taste.

 Tequilas, Mezcals, and … Agave Spirits?

Denomination agreements made Champagne French and Parmesan Italian. Until a 1994 (NAFTA) denomination agreement, the term Mezcal was being used by distillers on both sides of the U.S./Mexican border. Now, calling a spirit “Mezcal” is an exclusively Mexican prerogative. The appellation “Tequila” had already been established as Mexican property. Sotols, Raicillas, Bacanoras, and Palomas, though their distillation is regulated in Mexico, have no international agreements covering their labeling, so you might be buying American Sotol, but never American Tequila.

Your Favorite Agave Spirit Pairs with Our Mexican Cuisine 

You might like your Tequila straight, on the rocks, or served as a Margarita. You might prefer Mezcal or other, sweeter Agave spirits. Either way, choose from our large drinks menu, be with us on a Tasting night, or order your favorite any time. Enjoy.

Please feel free to call (831) 476-1754 to contact us. Do reserve a table, if you are in a party of 6 or more.

Do you have any questions? Send us a message and we will respond as soon as possible.

We are Tortilla Flats, a proud Mexican restaurant Soquel Village, CA.