Is mezcal a tequila?

All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.

According to spirits writer John McEvoy, mezcal is defined as any agave-based liquor. This includes tequila, which is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from only blue agave (agave tequilana).

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.

What type of alcohol is mezcal?

Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or piñas, of agave plants ( 2 ).

Is mezcal a good tequila?

Made from more than 30 types of agave (tequila is only made from one—blue agave) and cooked in a covered underground pit that gives it that smoky flavor, mezcal is a high-proof spirit that deserves to be savored; no wonder it's become so popular—the spirit's market share is projected to grow nearly 15 percent in the ...

Is mezcal just fancy tequila?

Mezcal is an agave-based spirit, and tequila, in fact, is a type of mezcal. Unlike the wider mezcal category, which encompasses spirits made from upwards of 30 different types of agave, tequila can be made only with blue agave in just five Mexican states. Production methods differ as well.

MEZCAL VS TEQUILA - Everything You Need To Know About These Great Agave Spirits!

Is mezcal healthier than tequila?

Mezcal can be considered cleaner and more pure than tequila, especially if the later is mixed with artificial sugar and way to many margarita mixers. When it comes to health, wellness, and alcohol, consider balance and sip in moderation – mezcal included.

What's with the worm in tequila?

So, why is there a worm in mezcal? Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.

Does mezcal give you a hangover?

A common misconception about tequila is that it does not cause hangovers. Dr. Forrelli clarified that while any alcohol consumption that is taxing to the body will always cause negative aftereffects, single-ingredient mezcals ingested without mixers may be more easily digestible, minimizing hangover symptoms. Dr.

Does Trader Joe's sell mezcal?

About this mezcal

Espada Pequeña Mezcal Artesanal is a private label product for the Trader Joe's grocery store chain. It is produced by Benevá Mezcal, an industrial brand based in Oaxaca, Mexico. This mezcal is produced using Maguey Espadin.

Who drinks mezcal?

Mezcal Is The 'World's Most Artisanal Spirit'

Mezcal may be new for you, but it's an ancestral spirit for Mexicans and is more than a thousand years old.”

What's the difference between agave and tequila?

In summary: Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from any variety of agave plant. Cooking the agave in pits in the ground gives it a strong smoky flavor. Tequila is a distilled spirit made only from the blue agave plant. It has an agave-forward flavor and has smoother, richer flavor when aged (labeled resposado or añejo).

What is tequila not made in Mexico called?

Mezcal. Mezcal is the over-arching category of Mexican spirits fermented and distilled from several varieties of the agave plant. It is produced all over Mexico under various names and designations, including tequila.

What is difference between tequila and mezcal?

Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

How should mezcal be served?

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”

What is the smoky tequila called?

In a nutshell, mezcal is a distilled alcohol made from the agave plant — much like tequila. It's smoky, earthy, and complex with a touch of sweetness. Mezcal is not necessarily tequila though.

What is the healthiest hard alcohol?

"Clear liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin are lowest in sugar and calories and are easiest for our bodies to metabolize," Kober says.

Is mezcal the healthiest alcohol?

Though there are health benefits to it, calling mezcal healthy may be a stretch. No liquor is really healthy, but some are certainly better than others. Mezcal is at the top of the list of healthier spirits available in the US.

What is the healthiest alcohol?

Does mezcal go bad?

Here's the good news—Mezcal and tequila never really expire if they're unopened. That's right; you can admire that beautiful bottle for months or years to come. If you have that kind of self-control, major props to you! Mezcal is a distilled spirit that doesn't age in the bottle like a wine does.

What is a good mixer for mezcal?

What food goes with mezcal?

Mezcal and desserts of all kinds go well together, including a spread of croissants, tarts, eclairs, and chocolate mousse. Flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and baking spice often enhance the sweet and spicy notes of mezcal, while also cutting through some of the heaviness of buttery pastry.

Why do they put a scorpion in tequila?

Dousing the stung body part in tequila may help, as the spirit's anti-toxic effects can lessen the pain, burning, and tingling that accompany a scorpion sting.

What tequila has a scorpion in it?

This award-winning Mezcal is artisan-made in small batches in Oaxaca, Mexico, with a real scorpion in every bottle. The distinctive bottle comes with its own little Scorpion Mezcal sombrero.

Should tequila be refrigerated?

Spirits or liquors like vodka, tequila, rum, gin, brandy, and whiskey can be left out at room temperature, or chilled depending on personal preference, according to beverage expert Anthony Caporale. White wine, champagne, beer, and cider should all be chilled in the refrigerator prior to consumption, per Caporale.