What is tequila made from?

Tequila is a distilled spirit made primarily from the blue agave plant, specifically Agave tequilana. The process begins with harvesting mature <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Blue%20Agave%20Plant">Blue Agave Plant</a>, typically after 6-8 years of growth. The heart of the agave, called the piña, is cooked, traditionally in ovens, to convert complex carbohydrates into fermentable sugars. The cooked piñas are then crushed to extract the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Agave%20Juice">Agave Juice</a>. This juice is fermented with yeast to produce alcohol. Finally, the fermented liquid is distilled, usually twice, to increase the alcohol content and refine the flavor. Authentic tequila must be made in specific regions of Mexico, primarily in the state of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Jalisco">Jalisco</a>, and must adhere to strict regulations regarding agave content and production methods. Tequila is categorized into two main types: Tequila (must contain at least 51% agave sugars, with other sugars making up the rest) and 100% Agave Tequila (made entirely from blue agave sugars).