What is agave? Did you know there are 12 types of agave? And that each one brings a special feature to mezcal? Discover them all here in our story.

You know it as agave, but it has multiple names like maguey, agave, pita, cabuya, fique or mezcal. Anyway, the important thing is to know the varieties of agave. Each one brings a special characteristic to the mezcal produced. But, tequila is only produced from Agave Tequilana Weber (blue agave), while mezcal is produced from 12 varieties. They can be used alone or in combination to obtain different taste.

 

Types of Agave

Below we show you the different types of agave.

 

Agave americana var. oaxacensis

Also known as Arroqueño, this is a domesticated variety, the sweet arroqueño is one of the longest mezcal magueys (long and narrow portion of land).

 

Agave durangensis

It is exclusive to Durango and Zacatecas. It is used in the production of both pulque and, of course, mezcal. Cenizo is one of the most fibrous agave varieties that can take between 9 and 13 years to mature. Provides a sweet and deliciously creamy mezcal taste.

 

Agave tequilana

Raw material of Tequila’s mezcal wine, a beverage that today is called its region of origin tequila.

 

Agave angustifolia

Known as the ancestor of the tequila blue maguey. It has narrow leaves and is the agave of which more common names have been registered and this is due to its wide distribution in Mexican territory: Maguey Espadín, Maguey de Mezcal, Maguey Mezcalero, Maguey San Martinero, Maguey de Espadilla, Dob-Yee.

 

Agave salmiana

Originates from the Potosino-Zacatecan highlands, a naturally and culturally integrated mezcal region. In the crop the period of rest in the field of six months or two years in which the plant concentrates the sugars before harvest.

 

Agave univittata

Small variety but with a lot of sugar, it is characteristic of the Tamaulipas region of Mexico, near Texas, United States, where it is also grown.

 

 

Agave rhodacantha

His beauty and solitary presence in the highlands earned him the name “Mexican”.

 

Agave maximiliana

Reputed for its history, mezcals that were banned during the eighteenth century in Sinaloa were produced with this agave.

 

Agave potatorum

Its rose-shaped shape makes its beauty remarkable. It grows among the pines and oaks, something that helps it to withstand the drought. It has smoky, light and subtle flavors unique to its kind.

 

Agave cupreata

Sweet and bronco like the mezcals and the cultures of the Balsas basin. Thanks to cupreata a mezcal’s aromas oscillate between mature fruits.

 

Agave americana

Provides intense aromas, but soft to the palate, is one of the mezcals with greater flavor and distinction. Notes of fresh herbs, cooked agave, ocote and cinnamon are perceived. The mezcal El Tinieblo includes American agave, and smoked aromas are very present.

 

Agave marmorata

This agave provides a lighter body with a bright, sweet smell of banana and cotton candy.

 

You can learn more about types of agave and this plant here.

 

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