One of the four big spirits of the world “Tequila”, is made by a plant called “Agave Azul”.
The plant looks like a big aloe because of its blue colored leaves. The name says it all, “azul” means “blue” in English, so this plant is also called “Blue Agave”.

And there are only 5 states that can approve to make tequila.
Even though you use the same agave and the same way of producing it, only what is made in any of these 5 states can be called “Tequila”.

While carefully watched, the agaves are planted for 5 to 8 years.
The “Piña” or the heart of the agave is cut out and taken to an oven.
The juice is taken then from the cooked agave, fermented, and distilled for 2 to 3 times.
The spirit must pass many strict standards to be called “Tequila”.

世界4大スピリッツ「テキーラ」の原料は、店名にもなっているAGAVE（アガベ、竜舌蘭の一種）。
メキシコの大地で5～8年ものあいだ大切に育てられたアガベは、ピニャ(Piña)と呼ばれる根茎の部分だけを刈り採られ、石窯でじっくり加熱されます。柔らかくなったピニャをすりつぶし、汁を搾って発酵させます。
2～3回の蒸留を経て、厳しい基準をクリアしたものだけが「テキーラ」と呼ばれます。