Sunday, July 24, 2016, is National Tequila Day! That’s right, there’s a national holiday created with the intention of inspiring appreciation for the art and cultural influence of that famous South-of-the-Border liquor!

1. Agave honey water is the source of tequila. While it is also used to make sweeteners and syrups, this liquid in the center of the agave (aquamiel) is fermented and aged to produce liquid gold for millions of people.

2. Tequila, like beer, wine, and whiskey, comes in a..

When the Spanish arrived in Mexico 500 years ago and brought cattle with them, they didn’t know they’d be causing a significant shift in the history of food in North America.

Dairy wasn’t a factor in food production at the time, but with the arrival of cattle and goats, the largely fruit, vegetable, fish, and fowl-based diets of the region underwent a dramatic change. As with any colonization event, the two cultures blended throughout the years, with each borrowing and contributing to each..

A traditional alcoholic drink originating in Central Mexico, pulque is an essential predecessor to tequila and is still produced locally in Mexico today.

History of Pulque

Pulque is at least 2,000 years old, with origins squarely cemented in Aztec culture. In fact, pulque is considered by many to be the Aztec drink of the gods – this despite its milky, frothy consistency and acidic scent.

It’s not as a strong as tequila or even mescal, though all three beverages come from the same family of..

More than any other type of liquor, casual drinkers seem to have a love/hate relationship with tequila in particular. While it’s certainly an acquired taste that rewards patrons with subtle, sophisticated flavors depending on the brand and type. Additionally, the popularity of tequila in the United States has led to a deluge of cheap – and bad – tequila brands that even a casual tequila fan probably wouldn’t recognize.

What’s Tequila and Where Does It Come From?

Tequila is made by distilling..