Batidor
Beater. A naked worker, the beater, gets into the wooden tubs with the must (mosto) during the traditional process of making tequila. He uses his hands and feet to beat and soften the fibers from the mashed piñas to aid fermentation.
Blanco / White Tequila
Clear, unaged tequila that is normally bottled right after being distilled. When the clear white tequila drips from the cooling coils of the alambique, it is correctly called silver or plata, but is more commonly called white or blanco. All Tequila begins as white Tequila and no barrel aging is required.
Blanco Suave
An unofficial term used to describe blanco tequila with extra aging or additives to smoothen its sharp taste.
Blue Agave
A distant relative of of the lily, Blue Agave (agave tequilana weber azul) plants are used to make tequila.
See also Agave Azul
Bodega
Warehouse or storage facility.
Botija
A potbellied earthenware jug with a narrow and short neck made from mud. It was formed with leather of male goat. Seven botijas is equal to a barrel, a unit of measure for commercial use.
Caballito (ca-ba-yee-to)
Translated as "little horse", the Caballito, also called a tequillita, is the traditional shot glass for drinking tequila straight, or derecho. It is a 2 to 3 ounce glass, 3 to 4 inches tall with a flat bottom and usually a wider mouth. Also the name for a cocktail using white tequila, grenadine syrup, orange juice, orange or lemon blossom water and crushed ice, consumed in the Federal District (Mexico City).
Cabeza - Head
The first portion of the distilate, the cabeza (head), is the highest in alcohol and aldehydes, is usually discarded. Also, another name for the piña, the heart of the agave. See also Corazon and Cola.
Cactus
Drought resistant spiny plants with succulent stems like the saguaro, peyote and nopal (opuntia). No liquor is produced with any cactus plant.
Calories in Tequila
The nutritional breakdown in tequila. How many calories are in a shot of tequila?
Camara Regional de la Industria Tequila
Another regulatory body responsible for tequila, officially founded on October 21, 1959, is the Cámara Regional de la Industria Tequila, or Regional Chamber of the Tequila Industry, an organization composed of industry members, and based in Guadalajara.
Campesino
Countryman, farmer, or peasant.
Campos de agave
Cultivated fields of agave plants, also called potreros, or pastures (and huertas, or groves, in the Los Altos region).
Caramel
A natural burnt color used sometimes for color consistency in the manufacture of Tequilas.
Categories of Tequilla
There are two categories of tequila - 100% de Agave made with only the sugars of the Weber blue agave and Tequila, commonly called Mixted (Mixto) which is made using 51% agave sugars and 49% other sugars. See also Types of Tequila.
Chicotuda
Whip plant. An agave plant that doesnot look very vigorous, but appears old and tired.
Chinguririto
Rough liquor, firewater. National spirits (aguadrientes) made from sugar cane or mezcal in the 18th and 19th centuries. Considered to be of low quality.
Cien por ciento
One hundred per cent; tequila or mezcal made with only agave sugars (blue agave for tequila).
