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1. Tequila is named after the town of Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, where the drink was first produced.
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2. It is made from the blue agave plant, which can only be grown in the Jalisco region and a few other designated areas in Mexico.
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3. Tequila has five classifications: blanco (or silver), joven (or gold), reposado (or rested), añejo (or aged), and extra añejo (or extra aged).
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4. Tequila must be made with at least 51% blue agave to be considered a true tequila. The other 49% can be made up of other sugars, such as cane sugar or corn syrup.
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5. Tequila is often served as a shot, accompanied by a lick of salt and a wedge of lime. This traditional way of consuming tequila is humorously referred to as ‘training wheels’.
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6. A margarita is a popular cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, served in a salt-rimmed glass.
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7. Tequila has a unique flavour profile that includes notes of earthy agave, citrus, and spice that come from the soil, climate, and altitude where the agave is grown.
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8. The blue agave plant takes between 7 and 10 years to mature before it can be harvested for tequila production.
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9. Aged tequilas are aged in oak barrels to give them a unique flavour and colour.
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