What Is Tequila? Origin, Types, and How It Is Produced in Mexico

This drink of ancestral origin takes its name from the place where it is produced, the Tequila Valley, located in the state of Jalisco.  Get to know all about tequila with the help of this post and the links that we share with you. Become an expert!

What is tequila made of?

Tequila is made from a plant called Agave, which belongs to the Agavaceae family, and grows in arid regions. We know that agave has been around for approximately 12 million years. There are currently about 290 species of agave, but only the "Tequilana Weber" blue variety can be used to make tequila.

How long does it take for an agave to grow?

Agave needs 6 to 8 years to reach the point where it is ripe enough for tequila production. At this point, the sugars of the plant's heart (called "piña" since it looks like a pineapple) are ready for the production of this drink.

How many tequila brands are there?

To date, according to data from the CRT (Tequila Regulatory Council), there are around 140 companies that produce tequila. They altogether produce around 1,500 brands of this drink.

Since when has Casa Sauza been producing tequila?

Casa Sauza is one of the oldest tequila producers in the history of this drink. It is also one of the three most important tequila houses by volume. It exports this drink to more than 73 countries worldwide.

The production of tequila at the beginning of Casa Sauza (1873) was done manually, which other tequila producers still do. However, innovation has also been a tradition at this tequila house from its early beginnings, so the production process has evolved ever since to obtain an even purer tequila, one that stays as faithful as possible to the agave notes and its congeners.

How has tequila evolved?

We have not only innovated in the transformation of raw material processes, but also in the agricultural and packaging areas. We keep innovating to produce more Premium tequilas without affecting the cost of the liquid, while still delivering excellent quality products to our consumers.

This constant evolution affects not only our processes and operations, but also, directly and in a very positive way, our company's workers (whom we prefer to call collaborators), boosting both their personal and professional development. Their contribution makes a difference in each of the bottles that are produced, and the work they do in this company has a purpose:

To elaborate the purest tequilas with high-quality processes, always respecting the dignity and development of each of the company's collaborators.

How many tequila brands does Casa Sauza have?

Considering the two main categories of tequila there are, and that Casa Sauza produces (100% agave and tequila) and within all the different kinds of tequilas they have to offer (silver, young, rested, vintage, and ultra-aged), Casa Sauza has more than 20 brands in its portfolio to this day. The brands are:

Hornitos

Tres Generaciones

Which tequila is the purest?

Our tequilas are defined by keeping those fresh, recently cut agave notes, eliminating the bitter notes that some manual processes produce. What we care for most is keeping the SENSORY PURITY of our product.

Our tequilas are made to be drunk "solo", without being mixed, or in cocktails. You can also pair them with certain foods in order to highlight their taste, but what you should never miss when drinking tequila is your good judgment and the sense of responsible intake.

Know more about our different processes and the tours we offer at our distillery.