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Mezcal

Not to be confused with mescaline.

Mezcal
Bottles at a factory in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
TypeDistilled beverage
Country of origin Mexico
Introduced16th century
Alcohol by volume 40–55%
Proof (US)80–110°
ColorClear or golden
FlavorSweet, fruity, earthy, smoky
Ingredientsagave
Related productstequila, bacanora, raicilla, pulque

Mezcal (/mɛˈskæl/, Latin American Spanish: [mesˈkal] ⓘ), sometimes spelled mescal,[1] is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave. The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl mexcalli [meʃˈkalːi], which means "oven-cooked agave", from metl [met͡ɬ] and ixcalli [iʃˈkalːi].[2] Traditionally the word "mezcal" has been used generally in Mexico for all agave spirits and it continues to be used for many agave spirits whether these spirits have been legally certified as "mezcal" or not.[3]

Agaves or magueys are endemic to the Americas and found globally as ornamental plants. More than 90% of mezcal is made in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, but is now produced and commercialized throughout Mexico for the national and international market. Native fermented drinks from maguey plant, such as pulque, existed before the arrival of the Spanish.

The origin of mezcal is tied to the introduction of distillation technology which was introduced to New Spain either by the Spanish or Filipino sailors.

In the 21st century, mezcal is still made from the heart of the agave plant, called the piña, in much the same way as it was 200 years ago.[4][5] In Mexico, mezcal is generally consumed straight and has a strong smoky flavor.[5] Though other types of mezcal are not as popular as tequila, Mexico does export the product, mostly to Japan and the United States, and exports are increasing as the liquor grows in popularity.[6][7]

Despite the similar name, mezcal does not contain mescaline or other psychedelic substances.[8]

  1. ^ "mescal distilled liquor Britannica". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  2. ^ What is Mezcal? Elmezcal.org (Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine).
  3. ^ Max Garrone. "When does a mezcal deserve to be a mezcal?". mezcalistas.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference gooaxaca was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Saltzstein, Dan (21 April 2009). "Hoping Mezcal Can Turn the Worm". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  6. ^ Archibold, Randal C. (21 July 2011). "Move Over, Tequila, It's Mescal's Turn to Shine". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Producción de mezcal genera 29,000 empleos" [Mezcal production generates 29,000 jobs]. El Siglo de Durango (in Spanish). Mezquital, Dgo. 23 February 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  8. ^ W. P. Armstrong. "Mescal Bean & the Unrelated Peyote Cactus". Palomar College.