El tequila: una bebida emblemática

The Tequila industry is considered the oldest industry in America and in many parts of the world, acquiring greater value thanks to the impulse of several sectors interested in taking care of it and placing this typical drink in the international market. Tequila is also considered a national symbol and it takes a very special place among the most important and representative beverages in the world, having a well earned reputation thanks to the job that both authorities and representatives of the sector have made through several years. Resent studies of competitiveness in science and technology indicate as one of the most important points to develop in the tequila industry the identification of the origin of tequila's raw materials, as well as the characterization of its flavor. This is because tequila is a beverage with denomination of origin and it requires controls that prevent its adulteration and grant its quality in the national and international market. Tequila composition is very complex like all kinds of distilled products. Different kinds of compounds have been reported as being responsible for the aroma and flavor of tequila; among them are: alcohols, fatty acids, esters, aldehydes, terpenes, phenols, sulphur compounds, etc. Primary aroma compounds from Agave can undergo chemical transformations during the manufacturing process while secondary aroma compounds come from cooking, fermentation, distillation, and maturity process.

Introducción -- Importancia del tequila -- Descripción del género -- Cultura y utilización del maguey -- Los agaves en Tequila, Jalisco -- Elaboración de la bebida -- Clasificación del tequila -- El aroma y el sabor del tequila