Tequila is produced by steaming agave inside industrial ovens before distilled in copper pots. Mezcal is agave that is steamed inside earthen pits lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal. It is then distilled in clay pots rather than copper pots.
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What Is Mezcal?
Mezcal is an independent alcoholic drink produced using the agave plant. This drink is taking over bar menus all over the globe. It is famous for its smoky flavor and uniqueness.
Mezcal is unique because it comes from many varieties of Mezcal known as maguey, unlike Tequila.
How Does Mezcal Taste?
The taste of Mezcal greatly depends upon the brand that makes it. All Mezcals will have a smoky flavor since manufacturers use roasted agaves to make them. The smokiness can be overpowering or subtle as per the type of Mezcal.
The earlier version of Mezcal sold in the United States did not gain popularity as people claimed it tasted like diesel fuel and gasoline. The more recent version comes from the finest quality agave. It thus appears to be on menus of the trendiest yet fancy restaurants.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Mezcal?
Saying that Mezcal is healthy can be too much since it is a type of alcohol. On the brighter side, Mezcal is good for digestion and regulates blood-sugar levels since it is free from gluten.
You must ensure that you consume Mezcal or, for that matter, any alcohol in moderate amounts only. Drinking one glass of Mezcal a day is undoubtedly good for your health.
Is Mezcal Stronger Than Tequila?
No, that isn’t the case. It simply has a notoriety for being one of the most powerful spirits. Many believe Mezcal has a more robust flavor than Tequila; however, that’s a different story. Tequila and Mezcal are between 38 and 55 percent ABV, or 76 and 110 proof, respectively.
Yes, a certain Mezcal can be heavier than a specific Tequila, but the opposite can also be true. If you request a Mezcal or Tequila straight or on the rocks, you’ll most likely get a drink with an ABV of around 40%, the same as most drinks sold worldwide.
What Is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the agave plant and produced only in some parts of Mexico. Tequila’s maximum consumption comes from the United States and Mexico.
The distillers producing this spirit must consider several regulations for its global production process. Whether you are a fan or not, you must know that Tequila comes in several different types, and you can mix it to make some famous cocktails.
How Does Tequila Taste?
The taste of Tequila differs slightly depending on the type of agave plant it’s made from. But in general, Tequila has a distinctive soil-like taste giving you a little alcoholic punch in the end.
The Tequila that one can get from the lowland regions tastes a little fruitier than the others and is also soil-like. On the other hand, the one from the higher areas appears green and bright.
If you’re looking for a purer form of Tequila, pick the Blanco Tequila. This one is slightly sweet and will have a unique flavor profile of the agave plant.
What Is The Best Way To Drink Tequila?
Tequila is a flexible spirit that you may consume in various ways. People drink the aged ones plain or even on the rocks. Blanco Tequilas are common in shots, which you can have straight or with mixers. In mixed cocktails, most Tequilas, particularly Blancos and Reposados, are fantastic.
The most favorite Tequila beverage across the globe is a margarita. They may be shaken or blended and range from the classic lime juice margarita to various fruity tastes. Tequila pairs well with almost any fruit and make a delightful base for spicy drinks.
There are also drier martini-style Tequila drinks, long and fresh soda or fruit highballs, and some sweet or milky Tequila recipes to choose from.
What’s The Difference Between Tequila And Mezcal?
Mezcal has been gaining popularity over Tequila in most American bars these days. The two Mexican spirits come from agave but are poles apart. Simply put, all Tequilas are Mezcals. However, at the same time, you cannot call all Mezcals Tequilas. Tequila is a type of Mezcal. But, Mezcal is an independent agave-made liquor.
The differences between the two drinks are vast but easy to understand. Several factors bring out the differences between Tequila and Mezcal and can be seen below.
| Mezcal | vs. | Tequila |
| Made using 30 different varieties of agaveDurango, Zacatecas, Puebla, Guanjuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Oaxaca. | Type Of Agave | Made from only one variety. |
| Durango, Zacatecas, Puebla, Guanjuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Oaxaca. | Region | Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Guanjuato. |
| Distilled in clay pots after heating in earthen pits coated with lava rocks and loaded with wood and charcoal. | Distillation | Made by heating the agave in industrial furnaces in the distillery and then distilling it twice or thrice in copper pots. |
| Categorized in three different types – Anejo, Reposado, and Joven. | Labeling | Found in three different kinds, depending on the aging process – Reposado, Blanco, and Anejo. |
Made With Different Agave
Tequila comes from just one type of agave known as the blue agave. This type belongs to the lily family and looks similar to a big aloe-vera plant with spikes on the top. It takes 7-8 years for the agave plant to be ready for harvest.
On the other hand, Mezcal can be produced from 30 different agave plants. Some popular varieties used in the production of Mezcal include Tepeztate, Tobala, Espadin, and Arroqueno.
Production In Different Regions
Even though the two drinks come from geographically similar places, there is still a massive difference between the production regions. Primarily, five different places in Mexico – Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Guanajuato- produce Tequila.
Similarly, Mezcal production takes place in nine regions of Mexico – Durango, Zacatecas, Puebla, and Oaxaca, to name a few.
Different Form Of Distillation
The only similarity that Tequila and Mezcal have is that they both come from the agave plant. Manufacturers heat the agave in industrial furnaces and then distill it twice or thrice in copper pots to make Tequila.
The distillation of Mezcal takes place in clay pots after heating it in earthen pits coated with lava rocks and loaded with wood and charcoal. Although some big Mezcal producers embrace contemporary processes, artisanal mezcal producers continue to employ the more traditional approach, which gives Mezcal its smokiness.
Difference In Labeling
Manufacturers keep Tequila and Mezcal in oak barrels after the distillation process. However, they define the two spirits’ distinct age groups differently.
Tequila has three different kinds depending on the aging process:
- Reposado: Aged for 2-12 months
- Blanco: Manufacturers keep it for 0-2 months
- Anejo: Ages 1-3 years.
Mezcal, too, has three different types:
- Anejo: Aged for at least one year
- Reposado: The one manufacturers keep for 2-12 months
- Joven: Aged for 0-2 months.
Which Is Healthier: Mezcal Or Tequila?
Usually, Tequila consists of 51% blue agave plant sugar, and the remaining 49% sugars come from various sources. On the other hand, Mezcal has 100% agave sugars and no space for using artificial sources.
As a result, one can say that Mezcal is a better option than Tequila. However, you must consume alcohol in a responsible manner.
Tequila comes from just one type of agave known as the blue agave. This type belongs to the lily family and looks similar to a big aloe-vera plant with spikes on the top. It takes 7-8 years for the agave plant to be ready for harvest.
On the other hand, Mezcal can be produced from 30 different agave plants. Some popular varieties used in the production of Mezcal include Tepeztate, Tobala, Espadin, and Arroqueno.
Production In Different Regions
Even though the two drinks come from geographically similar places, there is still a massive difference between the production regions. Primarily, five different places in Mexico – Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Guanajuato- produce Tequila.
Similarly, Mezcal production takes place in nine regions of Mexico – Durango, Zacatecas, Puebla, and Oaxaca, to name a few.
Different Form Of Distillation
The only similarity that Tequila and Mezcal have is that they both come from the agave plant. Manufacturers heat the agave in industrial furnaces and then distill it twice or thrice in copper pots to make Tequila.
The distillation of Mezcal takes place in clay pots after heating it in earthen pits coated with lava rocks and loaded with wood and charcoal. Although some big Mezcal producers embrace contemporary processes, artisanal mezcal producers continue to employ the more traditional approach, which gives Mezcal its smokiness.
Difference In Labeling
Manufacturers keep Tequila and Mezcal in oak barrels after the distillation process. However, they define the two spirits’ distinct age groups differently.
Tequila has three different kinds depending on the aging process:
- Reposado: Aged for 2-12 months
- Blanco: Manufacturers keep it for 0-2 months
- Anejo: Ages 1-3 years.
Mezcal, too, has three different types:
- Anejo: Aged for at least one year
- Reposado: The one manufacturers keep for 2-12 months
- Joven: Aged for 0-2 months.
Which Is Healthier: Mezcal Or Tequila?
Usually, Tequila consists of 51% blue agave plant sugar, and the remaining 49% sugars come from various sources. On the other hand, Mezcal has 100% agave sugars and no space for using artificial sources.
As a result, one can say that Mezcal is a better option than Tequila. However, you must consume alcohol in a responsible manner.