Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: July 24th, 2021. Take a look at what is celebrated on this Holiday and let me know if you would like to celebrate it or not.
July 24th is National Tequila Day
Did you know Mexicans like to celebrate Tequila Day? But so do a lot of other people all around the world! Although Tequila can only be made in a few regions in Mexico, Tequila Day can (and should!) be celebrated by just about anyone, anywhere!
History of Tequila Day
Derived from the Blue Agave Plant, humans have been making something like Tequila for at least a couple of thousand years. As early as 150 B.C., a predecessor of Tequila, called ‘Pulque’ was believed to have been made by Civilizations predating the ancient Aztecs.
When making Tequila, the hearts of the Agave Plant (called Piñas) are removed and cooked, then they are ground and Fermented for anywhere from a few months to three years. Like Wine, the type of soil the plant is grown in can impact the taste of the final product. Unlike Wine or other drinks made from Fruit, once an Agave Plant is used to make Tequila, it cannot be reused.
To qualify as “Tequila”, at least 51% of the product must be derived from the Blue Agave Plant that is prevalent in Mexico. Today, however, many manufacturers of the drink have much higher standards and will make it from a full 100% Blue Agave. These versions of Tequila are typically higher quality and will usually be more expensive than the mixed versions.
Modern-day Tequila is like a few other Alcoholic beverages (Champagne, Cognac or Bourbon) in that it can only be named “Tequila” if it is made in a certain place. In the case of Tequila, this place is Mexico. While specifically most Tequilas originate from Jalisco, other qualifying regions include Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, or Nayarit.
Tequila Day is the celebration of everything to do with this classic drink, whether Tequila is enjoyed straight or as part of a tasty Cocktail. In 2018, Tequila Day was officially recognized by the Mexican government, and now everyone wants to celebrate–not just today but all year round!
5 facts about Tequila:
- Over 50 million liters of Tequila are consumed in America annually.
- Studies have shown that consuming Tequila can cut your risks of dementia by 37%.
- There is some Tequila aged in barrels. Many Tequila’s are aged up to 30 years to create the perfect flavor.
- Tequila also has a component that can help lower LDL levels, aka bad cholesterol
- A 1918 Flu Epidemic led to a Tequila boom in Mexico. Doctors advised ailing patients to drink Tequila, Lime, and Salt as a remedy.
National Tequila Day was *Created in 2006 by Foodimentary & The Tequila Regulatory Council note: before 2006 ‘Tequila Day’ was often celebrated on Jan 15, Oct 3 or Nov 13.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
