Without triumph, no triumph is unthinkable. Why, from time immemorial, they have become an integral attribute of the holidays - is unknown. Perhaps because they give fun, good mood, help to relax. Even in ancient Greece, the gods enjoyed the wines and considered them the best earthly nectar. And today this tradition has not lost its relevance. But only the range of alcoholic liquids has expanded significantly.
In addition to wines, people prefer vodka, martini, whiskey and other overseas products. True, among them are those that require some knowledge in order to be used. For example, mezcal, tequila. Not all people even heard such names, and they don’t even know what these liquids are, and how to drink them.
What is mezcal?
Mescal is a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage. Its fortress sometimes reaches 43 degrees. Mescal is called the eldest relative of tequila, which appeared much later, although in the modern world it is known much more widely.
Some experts identify tequila as one of the mezcal subspecies. But it is not so. Yes, drinks have external similarities, but still there is a difference between them, the same as between rye whiskey and Scotch tape, cognac and brandy. Mescal was presented to the world by conquistadors from Spain, who used distillation for local wines.
How to make a product
What is mezcal, more or less understood. But still I wonder what makes such a unique drink. It, like tequila, is made from plants belonging to the genus Agave. But for the last type of liquid, only one variety is used - blue agave, while five classes of cultivated agave are required to obtain mezcal. Do not disdain and the addition of feral varieties.
For the production of mezcal, the cores of the plant are prepared. Then they are steamed for two to three days in special conical stone stoves. These stoves are laid out in holes dug in the ground. On the surface of charcoal, the cores of the fruits are laid out, on top they are covered with several layers of palm fibers and sprinkled with soil. Thanks to the manipulation, the final product acquires the aroma of smoke. Agave kernels for cooking tequila are steamed in autoclaves or in land-based furnaces.
The extracted agave juice is fermented for three days without adding sugar to it. Once upon a time, mezcal was distilled once. But since the 60s of the last century, the drink began to be distilled twice. If you compare mezcal and tequila, the first has a more acute smell and taste. Based on the above information, you can navigate the difference between the two drinks and know exactly how the mezcal differs from tequila.
Mescal varieties
Mescal is divided into three varieties. They can be found in any store in Mexico.
- Young mezcal, or howen. This is a drink of a white hue, that is, transparent. It is aged for six months. Hoven is the most common mezcal.
- What is mezcal? And this is also a calm variety, or reposado . The term of its exposure reaches one year. The final product takes on a golden light yellow tone.
- Old Mescal, or Anejo. It can be aged for about three years, but not less than 14 months. Such a product is painted in amber deep shade.
In addition to the presented types of mezcal, there are also drinks in which various additives are put. So, various herbs, honey, fruits are used. The color of such aperitifs can also be the most diverse, ranging from pink to black.
Caterpillar mescal not spoil
A mezcal with a caterpillar may be disgusting for someone, and someone is simply crazy about such an exotic drink. Since the middle of the last century, aperitif manufacturing companies have begun to decorate the packaging of their products with all kinds of wonders. The classic mescal is poured into square bottles. A bag containing the salt mixed with dried and ground caterpillars is attached to the necks of the bottles of most brands of the drink. But worms are chosen only by those that live in agave stems.
This salt is used for mezcal. Alcoholic caterpillar of Bombix agavis butterfly is put in a bottle. A living worm has a red tint in life, but in a drink it quickly loses its color. Gusano rojo, or the red worm, lives in the core of the agave fruit, and is therefore the best. Gusano de oro, or the white worm, prefers to live in agave leaves and is considered not so "prestigious".
Exposing Magic
Many gourmets are sure that mescal with a worm is a medicinal or magical drink. They believe that the caterpillar placed in the liquid gives it miraculous properties. But all this is absolutely wrong. Mescal with the worm was invented solely as an advertising move. Manufacturers thus tried to get even more buyers into their ranks. It is not an insect and an aphrodisiac. On the labels of the bottles it is always indicated that “surprise” awaits inside the consumer.
It’s also very tasty with a pear
Mezcal with a pear is no less popular than a drink with a caterpillar. Divino Joven Mezcal is the only brand of alcohol in the bottle which contains the fruit. The fruit gives the aperitif a peculiar aftertaste and an original delicate aroma. This species has been noted many times at various competitions held for drinks made from agave. Mezcal with a pear is made according to an amazing technology, thanks to which the fruit is grown and stored directly in a bottle.
Proper use of mezcal
What is mezcal, described above, now we will learn how to drink this ancient drink. So, the alcohol you are about to drink should have room temperature. You can drink it in two ways: the first is sipping a liquid, savoring each drop of it.
The second method involves pouring agave into small narrow piles of agave. Then you should prepare salt and lime. Seasoning is poured into the palm of your hand, and citrus is cut into pieces. Mezcal is drunk with one gulp, then salt is poured from the palm of your hand and a piece of lime is eaten. This method is quite unusual, but very common, so applying it, you will not cause surprise among others.
But there is another way to absorb mescal. It is precisely this that can provoke misunderstandings. But some thrill-seekers use it. In a thin glass we pour two centimeters of mezcal, and on top there is as much tonic. Then we cover the glass with our hand and slam it heavily on the table so that bubbles appear in the cocktail. Then we drink everything in one gulp.
Some interesting facts
Sometimes customers come across bottles with mezcal, inside which small hard lumps float. Inexperienced consumers may think that the product is expired. But this is not at all true, but even vice versa: such a drink is unfiltered and has the most saturated smell and taste.
And there is an opinion that different types of mezcal are identical to each other. To make sure this statement is false, try at least two different varieties of the drink. After that, you will be convinced that they differ not only in taste and aroma, but also in color, as each manufacturer applies his manufacturing secrets. Bon appetit, that is, a feast!