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"Historia"Aug 11 '04 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Tequila can only be produced in a limited area of Mexico, and it should come from the plant “agave azul Tequilana Weber”. The agave in Pre-Hispanic Times The “Nahuatl” tribes were divided in seven groups: “Xachimilcas”, “Chalcas”, Teponecas”, “Alcohuas”, “Tlahuicas”, “Tlaxcaltecas” and “Chimalhuacanaos, al came from the north of Mexico and all were subjected to the orders of God “Huitzilopostli” the Chimalhuacanos later separated and changed their name to “Mexicas”, in honor to the ancient God “Mextil”, which comes from the word Metl (agave or mezcal) and Xictli . The agave was a sacred plant, considered providential and divine, the most ancient information that is available for study are the Pre-Hispanic scriptures, The “Tonalmatlnahuatl”. These documents tell us through writings and paintings the history of the Aztec peregrination, and in them we find direct references to the agave. At the end of this travels they arrive to “Texcoco” where the sign of god tells them that is the place they should remain and build the great city of “Tenochtitlan” which means The house of “Tenoch” where the God of the agave lives. This was in 1325, being the indication of God an eagle standing in a cactus eating a snake. The agave they were referring to was what we know as the “Tequilana Weber Azul”, since the “Chimalhuacana” Tribe was established mainly in the “Xalisco” region, and here was where this agave was most vastly found. Some writing in the scriptures tell us about the “Mexicas” had learned how to cook the hart of the agave. This was done in ovens under de ground to obtain the “Mexcali” (cooked agave), great food source, specially during the dry season. It is also mentioned that they had learned to crush and obtain a juice that when fermented would give a beverage that would coursed special effects to a person. This drink was given to the priest, warriors, and offered to the Gods. This was the first step to what we know now as Tequila. Agave transformed by the conquest of Mexico Tequila is a result of combining the knowledge of the native Indians on cooking and fermenting agave, with the Spanish introduction of the distilling process into the new world. Hernan Cortez conquered “Tenochtitlan”, hart of the only known Pre-Hispanic world at the time. In 1531 Nuņo de Guzman discovered and conquered the “Chimalhuacanos”, after this the Kingdom of “Nueva Galicia” was formed with its capital in Guadalajara, 1942. There are many testimonials of important personalities of this time in “Nueva Galicia” in reference to the spirits that came from the agave plant. Fray Tobio de Benavente Motolina, in his writings on the history of New Spain or “Nueva Galicia” he tells the story of agave plants that are cooked and used for food specially if done by a good “Teacher” the Spaniards will eat them like candy. Bernal Diaz de Castillo in the “History Of The Conquest Of New Spain” we find that he describes how the natives would eat with great pleasure the cooked agave. He makes reference to a small congregation of people in the village of Tequila, word that means volcano or hill (cerro) of lava, word that comes from the “Nahuatl” roots “Tel-cerro” and “Quilla-lava”. In another quote he describes people from Amatitan that know how to cook the agave and ferment the juices extracted from the hart of the plant. With the Spaniards came the technology of distillation, although there is no specific data on when the fermented agave juices were first distilled there are specific writings of Felipe II king of Spain and successor of Carlos I, dictating the order that no native should consume drinks containing alcohol. In 1636 the president of the counsel of “Nueva Galicia” desided to lift the prohibition and instead established a Tax on all alcoholic beverages. This decision was ratified in 1671 by King Carlos II of Spain. In 1742 Don Matias de la Mata y Padilla in his writings on the history of the conquest talks about wine made out of different types of agave, describing the blue agave and stating that the natives would prefer the one that was made from this plant. Establishing a definite difference in what tequila and mezcal were at the time. In 1785 the Viceroy of Nueva Galicia dictated an order to stop production of all alcoholic beverages made there, in benefit to the spirits imported from Europe. From Independence to Modern Times The revolution dictated a growth in the establishment of distilleries of Tequila some of which survive until this day. In 1899 the production of tequila in the state of Jalisco became one of the most important industries. There were 39 distilleries in the state most being in the Town of Tequila. In 1960 the struggle to obtain the Denomination Of Origin of Tequila started. Although respected for many years by many countries, it was until 1996 that the Denomination was confirmed and accepted by Europe. Tequila can only be produced in a limited area of Mexico, being Jalisco the main source for all tequila and it should come from the plant known as “agave azul Tequilana Weber”. At the moment there are many Tequilas that are known and recognized around the world , like Cuervo, Sauza, San Matias, Casa Noble, Orendain and more. Tequila is part of the great spirits of the world after a long and hard history for survival and acceptance.  |
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