Overview

Time to put away the shot glass-tequila long ago left its spring break cliches 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-anejo 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 Patron and Jose Cuervo to traditionalists, artisans, and innovators, including Tapatio, 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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Clayton Szczech
Publisher:   Workman Publishing
Imprint:   Artisan Books
Dimensions:   Width: 15.80cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 20.40cm
Weight:   0.600kg
ISBN:  

9781648291487

ISBN 10:   1648291481
Pages:   248
Publication Date:   05 October 2023
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 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 Consejo 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  

Reviews

Szczech 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 Manifesto A 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 Mexico Szczech 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 Distilled

Author Information

Clayton J. Szczech has been studying and teaching about Mexican alcoholic beverages since 2006. He has operated the groundbreaking educational tour company Experience Agave since 2008. He co-founded La Cata, the first brand-independent tasting room in Tequila, Jalisco, in 2016. He has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Sunset, The Guardian, AFAR, Wine Enthusiast, Virtuoso Life, on CNN en Espanol and Amazon s Distilling Mexico. He holds numerous certifications related to tequila and mezcal and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Utah. His academic work focuses on the socioeconomic and environmental outcomes of Geographical Indication regimes, with an emphasis on Mexico.

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