A Brief History Of The Agave Plant

AGAVALES_blog_07_MAIN_images_1400x800_96.jpg
The agave is an ancient plant that dates back thousands of years. It has been an essential part of human history and has been utilized for various purposes. As of now, it is essential to the production of tequila. Here is everything you need to know about the history of the agave plant.

The Origins Of Agave

“Agavos" is the Greek word from which agave is derived. It translates to illustrious. Many different theories attach agave to the New World. However, the most popular theory is that the Spanish were the first to bring it with them.
However, long before the Spanish people made their way to Mexico, it was already considered a sacred plant by the Nahuatl. The agave plant was an integral part of the religion of the Mexican people. The Aztec Goddess, Mayheul, is the one that represented the agave as a symbol of good health, fertility, long life, and dancing.
The primary inhabitants of West Mexico, the Nahuatl, worshipped the agave plant because it represented the power of the Goddess Mayheul. Greek mythology also tells us that Agave was the goddess of desire.

The Exploration Of Agave

Of course, when this plant was discovered, people started experimenting with it. A thousand years ago, pulque was the first alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant. It was a fermented drink and milky in texture. At that time, many people used the pulque in their religious ceremonies.
As the Spanish settlers started exploring the agave plant more, they used the pulque to make tequila and mezcal. However, if we look at the Aztecs, they used the agave for many things. They used it in the production of vinegar, syrup, wine, and sugar.
When the Tehuacan caves were being explored, there were remains of roasted agaves all over. When researchers examined it, they found that the agaves dated back to 6,500 B.C. and they were an essential food source for many people at the time.

The Spread Of The Distillation Process

The Spanish continued to explore the agave plant. As they explored Mexico, they encountered a region known as the State of Jalisco. During this exploration, they came into contact with a native tribe named "Tiquili.” Their village was named Tequitlan that translated to the “land of hard labor.”
When the Spanish took over this land, they shortened it to Tequila, and thus the famous alcoholic beverage that we love to drink now originated from this region. Now, the blue agave is used to make many kinds of tequila, and we have mastered the distillation process thanks to the advancements in technology.

Final Words

The agave plant is found in Mexico, and that is where the best tequila in the world is made. If you want to enjoy the best premium range of agave tequila, then look no further. At Agavales Tequila, we pride ourselves on being one of the best tequila makers. For more information on our range, check out our collection now.