Tequila question

[Dood]

I've been wanting to do some Tequila for a while now and recently found four Agave plants (in Texas); one is pretty big by my thoughts; bout 3-1/2 to 4 feet tall and figure they are more than likely Agave Americana.

Just wondering if the hassle (and potential pain) of preparing the heart and fermenting on the fiber (with added nectar) would have a major impact on the flavor, quality and such?

Thanks in advance.

[DAD300]

Few hobbyist make any attempt at Tequila...real Tequila

There are threads about those using agave syrup and some say sweet potatoes come close. But I think the real flavor comes from the charring of the plant to caramelize the sap. I also think there are enzymes in the sweet potato that come close to those in the Agave. Sweet potatoes are cheap and plentiful around me but haven't had the time to try it yet.

[Rod]

Just finished this batch

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 11&t=35090

airing the 40% product now to determine if i want to carbon filter as suggested in the post as there is little bite

will do a taste comparison between the following after airing the product

neutral spirit as a control

tequila made with essencia spirit flavour ( does not smell at all like Padron ) , more like perfume

my batch which took 3 months to ferment ( used EC1118 ) after a couple of stalls

and a miniature of padron

[YukonJack]

Read the below thread, done by Junkyard Dawg, it was one of 2 that he had going. The agave is a pain to deal with, he said, which is why I gave up on trying to do this. Never know, might give it a spin at a later date.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... gave+plant

[bearriver]

There is a tried and true recipe for this. The hard part is sourcing an agave pineapple.

If you can manage to find one, you deserve a shot of tequila!

[YukonJack]

There is a tried and true recipe for this. The hard part is sourcing an agave pineapple.

If you can manage to find one, you deserve a shot of tequila!

Yep, JD had two threads going at the same time about his project. The one I listed and the one in Tried and True. I seriously considering doing this, just need some time to get the plants up. Might hold off till things cool off a bit.

[620rossco]

But I think the real flavor comes from the charring of the plant to caramelize the sap. I also think there are enzymes in the sweet potato that come close to those in the Agave.

Sweet potatoes contain no inulin. The mexicans use steam ovens to cook the hearts.

[junkyard dawg]

I don't think sweet potatoes even belong in the tequila discussion.

Agave based drinks are just that... agave. The only appropriate comparison is that cooked agave vaguely resembles a cooked sweet potato. but only very vaguely...

Dood, working on the fibers is the only way to go. Using agave nectar alone makes a good light rummy flavored drink. The real flavor comes from the pina that is roasted and sometimes smoked or steamed. I think you will find that a small agave like you have will have a very small heart. The ones grown for beverage production are trimmed throughout their life so the pina gets larger. If I were you, I would put in the work to get down to the hearts, cook them how you like, and then mash them up and adjust the gravity with agave nectar. some nutes at this point won't hurt either. I got a fantastic spirit out of this method. Good luck!

[620rossco]

working on the fibers is the only way to go. Using agave nectar alone makes a good light rummy flavored drink.

Sorry it tastes smells, bites nothing like the rum I make.
Fibers didn't seem to make much difference to my washes.

I have not read anywhere that Mecicans smoke their agave hearts.
Smoking cures meat, not sure how it would cook an agave heart.

Rossco

[junkyard dawg]

No one that I know of is smoking the pina. I used a smoker to provide heat to cook as I don't have big ovens. Mescal is distinct from tequila in one way, it has a smoky flavor to it because it is cooked using fire. The pinas are buried under a large fire... An amazing process. Check out Ian Chadwicks site for tequila. Its a great resource.