During the colonial era, blue agave abounded through all lands near Tequilaand they took an important role in the daily life of the locals. The agave leaves were used to make needles, pins, paper, strings and even ceilings. Dry leaves were used as fuel and ashes such as soap, bleach or detergent, and their sap to cure wounds. Ironically, the part of the plant that was least used was the heart. The locals chew it, and it is likely that the Spaniards realized that it had a high sugar content and decided to distill it to create a drink.
In the beginning, the tequila It should be prepared in secret because the colonial government did not allow the elaboration of local products that could compete with Spanish alcoholic beverages. However, in the seventeenth centurythanks to the volume of tequila production and the need for government funds, production was legalized with a corresponding tax payment. Thanks to tequila Many important works were carried out, among them, to bring drinking water to the city of Guadalajara. The liquor became the first product exported from what is now the Jalisco state.
After the independence of Mexico in 1821, Spanish liquors began to have difficulty reaching the country, and tequila producers considerably increased their sales while at the same time they began to market Tequila in the Mexico City and other parts of the center of Mexico. At the end of 19th century and early XXthe railroad in USA Easily transported European liquors from coast to coast, in addition to the fact that Mexican high society continued to have preference for French spirits, so the tequila consumption occurred mostly among the masses.
However, after the Mexican Revolutionhe tequila He received a new light and the attitude towards the drink began to change. Drink tequilainstead of imported liquors, it became a gesture of patriotism, and the liquor became almost a national symbol since even the government favored it. During the decade of the 30 and 40 yearsthe Mexican film industry only contributed to its popularity. From 1950the production of tequila It improved considerably since the factories achieved better quality standards and hygiene level. He tequila It is the first Denomination of origin of Mexico from 1974and it can only be called that when it comes from Jalisco and some municipalities of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. At present, the tequila industry involves about 300,000 people – directly or indirectly – and has become synonymous with Mexico.
How to get to Tequila?
Tequila It is just an hour by car from the city of Guadalajara, almost two of Tepic and three of Colima, these being the closest. A great alternative to car trip – and is also an unparalleled experience – is to take the famous tour on the José Cuervo Tequila Express train that starts from the railway station in Guadalajara every Saturday. The Express Tequila, as it is also known, has two options with departure at 9 in the morning and offers two itineraries: dawn and sunset.