Agave tequilana

F. A. C. Weber

Mescal, Tequila

Asparagaceae Edible: Plant heart, Flowers, Drink Potential hazards — see below 3,241 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Agave tequilana is an evergreen perennial reaching 2 m (6 ft) tall and wide at a medium growth rate. Hardy to UK zone 10. The plant produces bat-pollinated flowers and is self-fertile. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage, tolerating nutritionally poor soil. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, or basic soils. Requires full sun and prefers dry conditions, with good drought tolerance.

Description

A succulent plant. The leaves are bluish with narrow white edges. It flowers after 10-20 years. It has a very large flower stalk and then the plant dies.

Edible Uses

The sap of the plant is concentrated to make a sugar-rich syrup known as agave syrup or agave nectar. Sugar-rich sap is also extracted from the roasted bases of defoliated flowering stems shortly before flowering, then fermented and distilled into mescal and tequila. Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage similar to mezcal but produced only in a specific region of Mexico and from a limited number of species. For tequila production, mature plants are harvested, their leaves and roots removed, and the remaining 'hearts' baked — often in an earth oven — then mashed, with the resulting liquid fermented for a few days before distillation.

Traditional Uses

Used for fermented drinks. It is called tequila. The roasted base of the plants is used. The sap is concentrated. The young flowers are lightly cooked then dipped in egg batter and fried.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Many Agave species have strong, sharp spines on the leaves and leaf tips. In theory, at least, the flowers, nectar, immature flowering stem and the centre of the rosette of all Agave species are edible and, with proper preparation, can provide a sweet, tasty foodstuff. Some species, however, contain relatively high levels of saponins (which makes them taste bitter) and some other compounds which can cause bellyache, and so these would only be eaten in times of desperation. In addition, many people may find these foods to be strongly laxative the first few times they eat them.

Distribution

In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America,

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position. Requires a well-drained soil. Succeeds in poor soils. Established plants are very drought tolerant. The plant favours altitudes of more than 1,500 metres (5,000 ft) and grows in rich and sandy soils. A monocarpic species - the plant lives for a number of years without flowering but dies once it does flower. However, it normally produces plenty of suckers during its life and these continue growing, taking about 10 - 15 years in a warm climate, considerably longer in colder ones, before flowering. The cultivar 'Azul', or blue agave, is preferred for tequila production. Specimens have been recorded living up to 50 years in gardens. Blue agaves sprout a stalk (quiote) when about five years old that can grow an additional 5 metres (16ft); they are topped with yellow flowers. The stalk is cut off from commercial plants so the plant will put more energy into the heart. The main harvest of the agave hearts (piñas) occurs after about 7 to 10 years, typically in late winter to early spring (January to April), depending on the climate and growing conditions. Agave tequilana usually flowers once it reaches maturity, which can be after 7 to 10 years, and the flowering period generally occurs in late spring to summer.

Propagation

Surface sow seed in a container in a light position. Germination usually occurs within 1–3 months at 20°C. Prick out seedlings into pots of well-drained soil once large enough to handle, and grow on in a sunny position until at least 20cm tall. Mature plants produce 'pups' — outgrowths at the base — which can be used for propagation.

Other Uses

Agave can be used for erosion control and as a drought-resistant crop in agroforestry systems, and is often used as a hedge or boundary plant owing to its size and spines. Fibre obtained from the leaves, known as 'Jarsia', is soft enough for yarn production. Squeezed shoot axes are used to stabilise loam bricks. Blue agave has also been proposed as a potential source of ethanol for biofuel. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators including bees and butterflies.

Production

The sap is fermented to make a drink called tequila.

Notes

There are about 250 Agave species. The Agavaceae are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Synonyms

Agave palmaris Trel.Agave palmeris Trel.Agave pedrosana Trel.Agave pes-mulae Trel.Agave pseudotequilana Trel.

Also Known As

Blue agave, Chino azul

References (9)

Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 13
Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris) 8:220. 1902
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications. p 3
Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1715
Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 46

Show all 9 references

Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 330
van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 45
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 25
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew