Ad Category Above Title [D:1440×400 M:1440×400]

gafencu Shop

gafencu  app

Ad Category Sidebar [D:300×300 M:300×300]

Ad Video Category Above Title

<figure id="attachment_31405" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31405" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31405 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits.jpg" alt="How to drink Agave-based Spirits" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/How-to-drink-Agave-based-Spirits-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31405" class="wp-caption-text">Agave-based spirits like tequila, mezcal and raicilla are taking Hong Kong by storm</figcaption></figure>
Judging from the slew of upmarket Mexican restaurants that cropped up in our fair city over the past few years (<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/11-westside/">11 Westside</a>, Brickhouse and Caliente to name a few), tacos and burritos have become something of a staple for Hong Kong epicureans. But what of Mexico’s alcohols? We’re here to shed some light on some of its most famous agave-based spirits: tequila, mezcal and raicilla.
Despite its widespread fame, tequila is something of an exclusive club. By law, it can only be produced within five of Mexico’s 31 states, with Jalisco being the major manufacturer. Furthermore, only blue agave grown in these designated regions can be used to produce tequila. It’s almost identical to the rule governing the classification of champagnes.
<figure id="attachment_31403" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31403" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31403 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants.jpg" alt="Tequila is made solely from blue agave plants" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tequila-is-made-solely-from-blue-agave-plants-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31403" class="wp-caption-text">Tequila is made solely from blue agave plants</figcaption></figure>
So how to distinguish between good and bad tequila? “When you’re drinking tequila, look for a sweet potato aroma. That’s how you know it has truly preserved the blue agave flavour,” shares bar guru Jay Khan, who helms <a href="https://coa.com.hk/">Coa</a>, the new Oaxaca-inspired bar dedicated to agave-based spirits. Another top tip? Avoid tequilas with overwhelming caramel or vanilla aromas. These reflect artificial additions introduced during the distillation process.
It may come as a surprise that tequila is actually part of the larger mezcal family. What is mezcal, you ask? It’s the overarching term used to define all agave-based spirits distilled in nine Mexican states. Oaxaca is the leading producer. Where tequila only draws on one agave species, mezcals utilise over 50 varieties. This explains the much more diverse flavour profiles found across different mezcal brands. &nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_31404" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31404" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31404 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits.jpg" alt="Agave stems are the basis for all mezcal spirits" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Agave-stems-are-the-basis-for-all-mezcal-spirits-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31404" class="wp-caption-text">Agave stems are the basis for all mezcal spirits</figcaption></figure>
Many mezcals use a similar distillation process. The piña, or agave stem, is roasted and smoked in an underground pit, and then crushed before being left to ferment in water. Even after distillation, mezcal delivers a strong smoky taste – a residual effect of this production methodology.
When you exclude mezcal and tequila, agave alcohols remain relatively unknown in our city’s nightlife scene. But one serious up-and-comer is raicilla. Although technically a mezcal, raicilla cannot be legally labelled as such because it is produced exclusively in the state of Jalisco where mezcal production is banned. Raicilla sometimes lacks the smoky flavour of other agave-based spirits because it is cooked overground in artisanal brick ovens that allow smoke to escape.
<figure id="attachment_31406" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31406" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31406 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa.jpg" alt="Jay Khan serves up delicious agave-based cocktails at his Oaxaca-inspired artisanal bar, Coa" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Jay-Khan-serves-up-delicious-agave-based-cocktails-at-his-Oaxaca-inspired-artisanal-bar-Coa-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31406" class="wp-caption-text">Jay Khan helms Coa, the new Oaxaca-inspired bar dedicated to agave-based spirits</figcaption></figure>
Don’t expect any raicilla-based cocktails though. “Raicilla’s flavours are so nuanced and subtle that it gets lost when mixed in cocktails,” says Khan, “If guests request it on the rocks, we provide ice on the side. But cooling the liquid compresses and dampens the aromas. I’d recommend having racilla neat.”
Ready to take that first step into the world of agave-based spirits? Khan recommends Coa’s signature Horchata de Pistacho cocktail, which blends Ocho Blanco tequila with homemade horchata and pistachio orgeat. If you’re feeling more adventurous, ask the knowledgeable staff for a mezcal or raicilla recommendation. Salud!
Coa. Shop A, LG/F, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central.
Text: Tenzing Thondup

Demystifying Mexico's agave-based spirits

Agave-based Spirits: Demystifying tequila, mezcal and raicilla

agave based spirits

Fit for Purpose? Physical’s sudden demise spotlights a saturated gym sector in need of a work-over

What’s on? Things to do this November in Hong Kong

Mr & Ms Brightside: They’re doing just fine coming out of summer and entering winter

Rustic Roots: Every bite at Racines whispers the charm of the countryside and the future of French cuisine

Mind of Ming: EF’s Chief Culture Officer Ming Chen shares her vision for education as an instigator of global/world harmony

Tag: agave based spirits

Blog Section

Agave-based Spirits: Demystifying tequila, mezcal and raicilla