The agave is a plant from the Amaryllidaceae family.
Agave is a term that comes from a scientific Latin word, in turn derived from Agāve . The most distant etymological root is found in the Greek Agauḗ ( Ágave ), which is the name by which the mother of the mythological king Pentheus was known.
The myth says that Agave , accompanied by other bacchantes (participants in the festivals dedicated to the god Dionysus or Bacchus , known as bacchanalia), dismembered Pentheus for not accepting the divinity of Dionysus .
The agave, a plant native to Mexico
After this introduction linked to etymology , we can focus on the idea of agave. This is the name given to a plant that is native to Mexican territory and belongs to the family group of Amaryllidaceae.
Also known as pita or maguey , the agave has fleshy, prickly leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. It is estimated that there are more than three hundred species of agave, whose diversification began about twelve million years ago.
Beyond some differences, all agave species are similar in their shape. They grow in semi-dry climates and with abundant sun exposure.
Spirits ingredient
A brandy is an alcoholic beverage obtained by distillation . Several of these drinks can be made with the liquid extracted from the agave trunk.
Tequila , for example, is produced with the juice of the tequilero agave or blue agave ( Agave tequilana ). It is possible to distinguish between 100% agave tequila (which does not include sugars other than those from the plant) and tequila (which includes the incorporation of more sugars).
Tequila is an agave spirit.
By fermenting and distilling the heads of this plant, meanwhile, mezcal is obtained. In this case, species such as Agave potatorum , Agave angustifolia , Agave salmiana or Agave esperrima are used.
Agave atrovirens and Agave salmiana , on the other hand, are used for the production of pulque . This drink involves fermenting the mead ( juice ) of the plant, which is extracted with the help of an acocote (an elongated gourd with holes at the ends and which allows the liquid to be extracted via suction).
In Sonora, the preparation of bacanora is traditional, a drink that requires cooking, fermenting and distilling the Agave vivipara . The raicilla and the cocuy liquor are also made based on species of the Agave genus.
Agave in the textile industry
Not only drinks can be produced with agave. The fibers present in its leaves are used to obtain good quality yarn that is used in multiple ways.
Agave sisalana and Agave fourcroydes are the species that are usually used to generate threads . This activity gave rise to the so-called henequen industry , a name derived from the common name of the Agave fourcroydes ( henequén ).
The production process begins with the shredding or scraping of the leaves, which allows obtaining the fiber with which threads , ropes and fabrics are made. The agave, in this way, is used to make bags for storing grains and for the manufacture of fabrics used in wall coverings, to mention a few possibilities.