Tequila: A Natural and Cultural History

Description

Author: Valenzuela-Zapata, Ana G.

Brand: University of Arizona Press

Color: Multicolor

Edition: First edition.

Features:

  • Used Book in Good Condition

Binding: Paperback

Number Of Pages: 113

Release Date: 01-03-2004

Part Number: illustrations

Details: Product Description The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila—more properly, mescal de tequila, the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In ¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History, Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce the natural history, economics, and cultural significance of the plants cultivated for its production. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan take you into the agave fields of Mexico to convey their passion for the century plant and its popular by-product. In the labor-intensive business of producing quality mescal, the cultivation of tequila azul is maintained through traditional techniques passed down over generations. They tell how jimadores seek out the mature agaves, strip the leaves, and remove the heavy heads from the field; then they reveal how the roasting and fermentation process brings out the flavors that cosmopolitan palates crave. Today in Oaxaca it's not unusual to find small-scale mescal-makers vending their wares in the market plaza, while in Jalisco the scale of distillation facilities found near the town of Tequila would be unrecognizable to old José Cuervo. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan trace tequila's progress from its modest beginnings to one of the world's favored spirits, tell how innovations from cross-cultural exchanges made fortunes for Cuervo and other distillers, and explain how the meteoric rise in tequila prices is due to an epidemic—one they predicted would occur—linked to the industry's cultivation of just one type of agave. The tequila industry today markets more than four hundred distinct products through a variety of strategies that heighten the liquor's mystique, and this book will educate readers about the grades of tequila, from blanco to añejo, and marks of distinction for connoisseurs who pay up to two thousand dollars for a bottle. ¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History will feed anyone's passion for the gift of the blue agave as it heightens their appreciation for its rich heritage. Review "No mere barroom reference, this heady blend of agricultural history, Mescalero anthropology, Aztec mythology and nature writing is an appealing package for researchers and drinkers alike." —Publishers Weekly "A richly textured picture of tequila and the agave plant . . . Readers interested in the natural history and ethnography of the Southwest will enjoy it, as will tequila fanciers who want to learn about the history and manufacture of their drink." —San Diego Union-Tribune "Lyricism for all things agave infuses the prose, a rhapsody tempered by hard botanical science." —San Francisco Chronicle "A scholarly yet entertaining guide to the history and husbandry of this phenomenal beverage . . . For most readers, tequila may be better sipped than studied. But since a little tequila goes a long way, this book can provide an alternate, albeit less intoxicating, form of pleasure." —Natural History "This slender tome contains virtually everything you could want to know about tequila." —New Mexico Magazine From the Back Cover The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila--more properly, "mescal de tequila," the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History," Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce th

EAN: 9780816519385

Package Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.0 x 0.5 inches

Languages: English

Product form

Author: Valenzuela-Zapata, Ana G.Brand: University of Arizona PressColor: MulticolorEdition: First edition.Features: Used Book in Good ConditionBinding: PaperbackNumber Of Pages: 113Release... Read more

$ 48.99$ 44.49

    Description

    Author: Valenzuela-Zapata, Ana G.

    Brand: University of Arizona Press

    Color: Multicolor

    Edition: First edition.

    Features:

    • Used Book in Good Condition

    Binding: Paperback

    Number Of Pages: 113

    Release Date: 01-03-2004

    Part Number: illustrations

    Details: Product Description The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila—more properly, mescal de tequila, the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In ¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History, Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce the natural history, economics, and cultural significance of the plants cultivated for its production. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan take you into the agave fields of Mexico to convey their passion for the century plant and its popular by-product. In the labor-intensive business of producing quality mescal, the cultivation of tequila azul is maintained through traditional techniques passed down over generations. They tell how jimadores seek out the mature agaves, strip the leaves, and remove the heavy heads from the field; then they reveal how the roasting and fermentation process brings out the flavors that cosmopolitan palates crave. Today in Oaxaca it's not unusual to find small-scale mescal-makers vending their wares in the market plaza, while in Jalisco the scale of distillation facilities found near the town of Tequila would be unrecognizable to old José Cuervo. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan trace tequila's progress from its modest beginnings to one of the world's favored spirits, tell how innovations from cross-cultural exchanges made fortunes for Cuervo and other distillers, and explain how the meteoric rise in tequila prices is due to an epidemic—one they predicted would occur—linked to the industry's cultivation of just one type of agave. The tequila industry today markets more than four hundred distinct products through a variety of strategies that heighten the liquor's mystique, and this book will educate readers about the grades of tequila, from blanco to añejo, and marks of distinction for connoisseurs who pay up to two thousand dollars for a bottle. ¡Tequila! A Natural and Cultural History will feed anyone's passion for the gift of the blue agave as it heightens their appreciation for its rich heritage. Review "No mere barroom reference, this heady blend of agricultural history, Mescalero anthropology, Aztec mythology and nature writing is an appealing package for researchers and drinkers alike." —Publishers Weekly "A richly textured picture of tequila and the agave plant . . . Readers interested in the natural history and ethnography of the Southwest will enjoy it, as will tequila fanciers who want to learn about the history and manufacture of their drink." —San Diego Union-Tribune "Lyricism for all things agave infuses the prose, a rhapsody tempered by hard botanical science." —San Francisco Chronicle "A scholarly yet entertaining guide to the history and husbandry of this phenomenal beverage . . . For most readers, tequila may be better sipped than studied. But since a little tequila goes a long way, this book can provide an alternate, albeit less intoxicating, form of pleasure." —Natural History "This slender tome contains virtually everything you could want to know about tequila." —New Mexico Magazine From the Back Cover The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila--more properly, "mescal de tequila," the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History," Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce th

    EAN: 9780816519385

    Package Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.0 x 0.5 inches

    Languages: English

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