In Search of the Blue Agave

07/15/2024

Our northern cactus continues to bloom and thrive in the garden at 44°30'N. It has survived our cold and snowy winters for many years.

06/14/2024

https://aeon.co/essays/can-we-see-past-our-soul-blindness-to-recognise-plant-minds
The burgeoning field of plant science has become a rich playground for profound questions that have beguiled Western philosophy since Plato: namely, what is mind, where does it extend, and how? Who has mind, and how do we know? While scientists increasingly agree that many animals are sentient, doubts remain about our vegetal kin. For many, plants remain a limit case in the types of beings we are willing to concede experience life with the richness humans do, or whose experience we can meaningfully study.

In the 1840s, the iconoclastic scientist Gustav Fechner made an inspired case for taking seriously the interior lives of plants

05/08/2024

From Reuters:
Mexico heat wave triggers 'exceptional' power outages, president says

Widespread recent power outages in Mexico were caused by unseasonably hot weather, the country's president said on Wednesday, assuring consumers that the national grid has sufficient generating capacity going forward.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters at a regular government press conference that his government will also coordinate with private power producers, responsible for about half of Mexico's electricity generation.

04/23/2024

From TorStar:

Canada’s ‘psychic’ swindler is off to prison. But experts say we’re failing to prosecute this type of fraud
The elderly are still falling victim to silk-tongued strangers at worrying rates.

This week’s sentencing to 10 years in prison for Montreal-native Patrice Runner, the mass-mailing fraud mastermind behind a US$175-million scheme, closed a chapter on a largely analogue era of criminal history.

His crimes were marked by bogus psychic predictions, random “lucky” numbers and all-seeing Indian shamans — tales tailored to elderly victims and transmitted through that most dated of communications means: the letter folded into an envelope and sent through the mail.

Prosecutors said Runner led an organization that conned 1.3-million people in Canada and the U.S. between 1994 and 2014 by sending personalized letters that were meant to build close relationships with victims, many of whom made dozens of payments, handing over thousands of dollars.

Remember: there is *NO SUCH THING* as a real psychic. Anyone claiming to be one is either a fraud or delusional. Avoid them!

04/23/2024

https://www.wwf.eu/?348458%2FPlastic-ingestion-by-people-could-be-equating-to-a-credit-card-a-week

A new study finds on average people could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week, which is the equivalent weight of a credit card.

“These findings must serve as a wake-up call to governments. Not only are plastics polluting our oceans and waterways and killing marine life - it’s in all of us and we can’t escape consuming plastics. Global action is urgent and essential to tackling this crisis,” said Marco Lambertini, WWF International Director General.

A new study finds on average people could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic every week, which is the equivalent weight of a credit card. The analysis No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People prepared by Dalberg, based on a study commissioned by WWF and c

03/19/2024

From LinkedIn:
Australia has joined the exciting movement of agave-based beverage production outside of Mexico, contributing its own unique interpretation of these revered spirits. In an unexpected twist, the vast Australian lands have proven to be fertile ground for agave cultivation, defying expectations and producing spirits that capture the very essence of innovation.

In regions like Queensland and New South Wales, pioneering distilleries have embraced agave as an intriguing alternative to traditional raw materials. Leveraging the sunny climate and specific soil conditions, these distilleries have successfully cultivated agave varieties, creating spirits that reflect the diversity of the Australian landscape. This local approach not only highlights the adaptability of agave but also imparts a distinctive character to the resulting beverages.

Rather than attempting to replicate Mexican successes, Australian distilleries have chosen to explore unique flavor profiles, experimenting with distillation and aging techniques aligned with the inherent creativity of the Australian beverage scene. The result is a range of products, from soft and floral spirits to bolder and more robust options, all connected by the common thread of agave.

Australian mixologists have also embraced this new wave of spirits, incorporating these creations into their inventive cocktails. From the elegant bars of Sydney to the lively venues in Melbourne, spirits enthusiasts can enjoy unique experiences that blend agave tradition with the distinctive Australian touch.

This phenomenon in Australia highlights how globalization and creativity can converge, transforming a Mexican plant into a unique expression of the Australian spirit. Ultimately, agave-based beverages produced in Australia are an exciting chapter in the story of these spirits, demonstrating that agave knows no geographic limits and can thrive in the most unexpected places, adding an Australian note to the rich symphony of agave beverages worldwide.

02/15/2024

https://www.boochnews.com/2024/02/14/the-kombucha-flavor-map/
The Kombucha Flavor Map

Introducing the Kombucha Flavor Map.

02/14/2024

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tequila-market-differentiation-usa-consumers-tool-valenzuela-zapata/
The breaking records are based in the USA marketers, who have been working a lot in differentiation based on the cultures of consumers and the technologies used for sugars hydrolysis named diffusers. A cheaper industrial process with young plants cycle (4 years) has been the best efficiency and needs historical recognition: 527 million liters (40% alc. vol.).

02/03/2024

https://www.lcbo.com/content/lcbo/en/corporate-pages/about/media-centre/news/2024-02-02.html
Amongst its business benefits, FSM will enable the standardization of processes across all lines of business, support effective inventory management, the ability to automate and optimize scheduling, strengthen data governance, allow for more seamless and personalized customer experiences, maximize performance of digital properties, and allow for improved overall responsiveness.

Goal is to drive organization-wide transformation of platforms, systems, and processes to support best-in-class experiences in modernized marketplace.

01/31/2024

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

This company controls much of the alcohol industry. Can a lawsuit and the feds break its grip?

The average American drinker wouldn’t know Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits by name. But chances are good that they’ve consumed its beverages, which include top-selling brands like Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Jameson, Patron, Josh Cellars and Meomi.

Southern Glazer’s doesn’t make these products; it distributes them, serving as the middleman between the maker and the seller. The company is not only the country’s largest alcohol distributor, but also the 10th-largest private company in the U.S., according to Forbes.

Critics of Southern Glazer’s have long argued that it’s too large and powerful for the good of the industry. But now, the company is facing a level of heat that appears unprecedented. The Biden administration has raised concerns about its dominance in the market. The Federal Trade Commission has said it’s investigating the company for possible violations of a federal law. The Internal Revenue Service and the Alcohol and To***co Tax and Trade Bureau descended on one of the company’s Bay Area offices in what officials described as an “official activity.”

01/26/2024

More nations are making agave spirits now...

Don't say the 'T' word .... !!

AGAVA™ is made in Africa...South Africa...from 100% Blue Agave (see pic of our Agave Pinas)..... that's Tequila right ? ... NO !!
only certain parts of Mexico...not all Mexico, may call their Agave Spirit Tequila...

AGAVA™ is a premium, 100% pure Agave spirit, made by us...try it..it never disappoints!
Hey Mexico ... se m**r

WhatsApp: + 082 487 8691
www.agava.co.za
[email protected]

01/24/2024

https://secondnexus.com/trump-nh-primary-slurred-speech
Trump's Final Speech Before NH Primary Was An Incoherent Mess—And The Biden Campaign Pounced
Donald Trump slurred his way through a rambling low energy speech in Laconia, New Hampshire and the Biden campaign wasted no time mocking him for it.

He is not well.

01/24/2024

🌵🥃 ¡Bienvenidos a el paraíso de la variedad! 🥃🌵

Nos complace compartir que en este momento contamos con ¡2046 variedades de tequila! 🎉🤯
👀 ¿Te atreves a contar todos los tequilas? Ven a visitarnos y descubre la increíble diversidad que ofrecemos.

🗓️ ¡Es tu oportunidad de sumergirte en el mundo del tequila y disfrutar de esta experiencia única! ¡No te lo pierdas! 🌟
📍 SUCURSAL JUÁREZ
⏰ Horario 10:00am a 8:00pm
Calle Juárez 154, Centro, 45500 Tlaquepaque, Jal.

¡Etiqueta a tus amigos amantes del tequila y hagamos de esta experiencia algo inolvidable! 🥂
🛒✨ También disponible para pedidos por WhatsApp👉 https://bit.ly/3SgdLdp o mensaje directo.

01/22/2024

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2412033-guinness-yeasts-are-genetically-unique-among-irish-beers/
Guinness yeasts are genetically unique among Irish beers
The Guinness brewery has kept a record of the yeast strains it has used going back to 1903 – a genetic analysis shows these are distinct from those used to brew other Irish beers

The Guinness brewery has kept a record of the yeast strains it has used going back to 1903 – a genetic analysis shows these are distinct from those used to brew other Irish beers

01/20/2024

https://vinepair.com/articles/tequila-brand-ownership-inforgraphic/
The Biggest Tequila Brands and the Companies That Own Them [Infographic]

If you’re a frequent tequila drinker, you might be familiar with the spirit’s various production methods, the difference between highland and lowland expressions, and age categorizations. But do you know which corporation is pulling the strings behind your favorite brands? If not, it might be time to brush up on the business side of things. Read on to see each major spirit company’s tequila-grown family tree.

With dozens of brands lining the shelves, VinePair compiled a chart to easily figure out who owns what in the tequila world.

01/08/2024

If we add hot water to our milled grain (the type, consistency and process of milling is another story entirely), then that water should be able to pe*****te the starch granules, opening them up to expose the starch chains. However, heat and water do not break down starch into simpler sugars — not on their own, anyway. In order to do that we need enzymes.

From Mash: Chemistry 101, published in distilling(dot)com but FB thinks it's spam...

01/03/2024

From CBC:

How ultra-rich celebs like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift are driving climate change

A new Oxfam study says the richest 1 per cent produced more carbon emissions than the poorest two-thirds of the world.

12/29/2023

https://www.liquor.com/additive-free-tequila-8418668

Is ‘Additive-Free’ Tequila the New 100% Agave?
The conversation has shifted to highlight producers that omit glycerin, sweeteners, and other additives in their product. But is additive-free the only indicator of quality?

The conversation around quality tequila has shifted from a focus on simply '100% agave' to producers that also omit glycerin, sweeteners, and other additives in their product. But is additive-free the only indicator of quality?

12/22/2023

From Natasha Sofia on LinkedIn (abbreviated version):
Tequila aging is like a scientific symphony! When crafting tequila it’s all about the molecular dance within barrels. The wood contributes compounds like lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, while the tequila imparts alcohol and water.

Over time, these molecules engage in a complex series of reactions. Lignin breaks down into vanillin, adding vanilla notes. Hemicellulose becomes sugars, lending sweetness. Cellulose transforms, creating depth. It’s like a chemical orchestra creating a harmonious flavor profile.

So, the next time you sip aged tequila, remember that you’re savoring a masterpiece of chemistry, woodcraft, and time.

12/18/2023

It’s very rare in our tequila industry to have your own distillery where ONLY your tequila is produced.

Proud to say that our Teremana distillery 🥃 in Jesus Maria, Mexico 🇲🇽 only produces Teremana tequila ~ which is what gives our tequila that unique, one of a kind delicious taste.

We’ve created jobs for almost 250 Teremana employees in Mexico - who are all extremely proud to deliver our hand crafted, ultra premium Teremana to all of you.

Enjoy your Mana!

~ dj
founder
teremana

12/15/2023

From TheConversation:
The COP28 climate agreement is a step backwards on fossil fuels. Such an approach is inconsistent with the scientific consensus on the urgency of drastically reducing fossil fuel consumption to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

The combustion of coal, oil and gas accounts for 75% of all global warming to date – and 90% of CO₂ emissions.

Since the world is increasingly likely to overshoot the temperature goals of the Paris agreement, we must actively remove more CO₂ from the atmosphere – with reforestation and direct air capture (DAC), among other methods – than is emitted in future.

12/11/2023

Still getting this message from the digital gangsters at Meta, blocking Canadian news, content, and sharing... even blocked a link from Snopes I tried to share today.

PS. It's NOT in response to our legislation: it's attempted extortion to keep from having to pay Canadian content creators for their work. It's an attack on Canadian sovereignty and blatant blackmail to get us to change our laws.

12/10/2023

The tequila frenzy from last year continued in 2023, but at a slower rate (+16%) than the previous year – overall there has been 44% growth in the last two years. Catching customers’ interest were brands with celebrity backing, innovative finishes (e.g. wine-barrel aging), eye-catching packaging, and 100% agave.

Toronto, December 6, 2023 – This year marked a shift in customer purchasing behaviour as Ontarians made more mindful choices that saw their dollar go further. While many customers sought more value-based purchases, brand-loyal customers stuck to their favourites.

12/08/2023

Join us on mastodon.social... millions are fleeing the dumpster fire of Xitter for a more civil space on Mastodon.

08/16/2023

This is what Canadians see on Facebook these days when they try to post links or share news. Meta is no better than a criminal organization, trying to extort and bully Canada and Canadians into caving in to their corporate demands. F**k Zuck and his digital gangsters. This is a cyber attack on our sovereignty.
Please share if you are a Canadian.

07/06/2023

Sorry, posted with wrong account... sigh...

05/20/2023

It's been many years since I saw El Tesoro for sale in Ontario, but it's at the LCBO now. Not sure for how long, though. $93.40 CAD per bottle. Worth it.

05/16/2023

I hope to get this book soon. I really look forward to reading it!

To say we love this book is an understatement! We received a review copy which we devoured immediately upon receiving. Susan had the honor of leading a Q&A with authors and Gary Nabhan (video coming soon).

This is the book we need now, the one that places the agave plant at the center of the story. It is moving, personal and a rallying cry for action. GET IT NOW!!

04/29/2023