The Story of the Agave Plant: From Myth to Modern Day

The Legend of Mayahuel and Quetzalcóatl

In ancient stories from Mexico, there’s a tale about Mayahuel, a beautiful star goddess, and Quetzalcóatl, the Wind God. One night, Quetzalcóatl visited Mayahuel in heaven and whispered sweet words to her. Tired of her life in the sky, Mayahuel agreed to go to Earth with him. Together, they became a tree with two branches. When Mayahuel’s grandmother found out, she was very angry. She tore the tree apart and scattered the pieces. Quetzalcóatl was heartbroken and buried the pieces, which grew into the first agave plant.

The Many Uses of the Agave Plant

For centuries, people in North and Central America have used the agave plant for many things:

• Fiber: For making ropes and clothing.

• Drinks: Aguamiel and pulque.

• Food and Medicine: For eating and healing.

• Sweetener: Agave honey.

• Vinegar: Made by cooking it.

• Building Material: For houses.

• Tools: Needles for sewing and marking land.

The Agave Plant in Mexico

The agave plant is known by many names in Mexico, such as “metl” in Nahuatl, “tacamba” in Purépecha, and “dobba” in Zapotec. Mexico is home to over 200 types of agave, with 157 types found only in Mexico. The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve has the most variety, with 15 different species.

Names and Varieties of Agave

The word “agave” was given by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It describes a plant with thick, fleshy leaves ending in sharp points. The word “maguey” came from the Caribbean, where it was used for aloe vera, and was brought to North America by the Spanish.

Some important types of agave are:

• Espadín (Agave Angustifolia): Widely used for making tequila.

• Tobalá (Agave Potatorum): A wild agave used for mezcal in Oaxaca.

• Arroqueño (Agave Americana var. Oaxacensis): A sweet, domesticated agave.

• Mexicano (Agave Rhodacantha): Known for its beauty in the Mexican highlands.

• Tepeztate (Agave Marmorata): Used for decorations and ceremonies.

The Story of Tequila

Tequila is a city in the Mexican state of Jalisco, close to Guadalajara. This city has been important for making and selling mezcal because of its location. Before modern factories, mezcal makers would come to Tequila to sell their products.

In the early 20th century, the Mexican president, Porfirio Díaz, saw the potential to industrialize mezcal production. Traditional methods were changed to fit factory processes. Only one type of agave, the blue agave (Agave Angustifolia, subspecies Tequilana Weber), was used because it was easy to grow.

Protecting Tequila and Mezcal

Tequila and mezcal are famous Mexican drinks. The Denomination of Origin (DO) protects the name and production of these drinks. Only certain areas in Mexico can produce mezcal, including Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Puebla, and Sinaloa.

The production of mezcal is regulated by the Consejo Regulador del Mezcal (CRM). There are three types of mezcal:

• Ancestral: Made using traditional methods.

• Artesanal: A mix of traditional and modern methods.

• Industrial: Made using factory processes.

Each type follows strict rules to keep the quality and tradition alive.