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Writer's pictureAlejandra Pardo

Is the Mexican Agave Plant truly what you think it is?

Updated: Dec 12, 2021

"Plants give us oxygen for the lungs and for the soul".

Hi there! do you agree? I'm excited to share with you this historical and versatile plant, its benefits in the cosmetic and textile industry but also some myths and facts that are told around the world.

Watch the video and let me know your thoughts in the comments. I hope you enjoy!

 



 

Interesting facts


1.- So, let me clarify that the beverages type obtained depends on the Agave specie; for example ‘‘Mezcal’’ is primarily obtained from these species àA. angustifolia, A. potatorum, and A. salmiana; ‘‘Bacanora’’ from A. angustifolia, A. potatorum and A. pacifica;

‘‘Pulque’’ from A. salmiana and ‘‘Tequila’’ from A. tequilana.


2.- The name of “Tequila” comes from the náhuatl ‘‘tequitl’’ and ‘‘tlan’’ words, which mean work and place, respectively. So it could be said that Tequila means ‘‘place where work is carried out’’


3.- Tequila can be produced only in certain areas for it has ‘‘denominación de origen’’, similar to ‘‘protected designation of origin’’ in the European Union.


4.- Pulque consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for low ferritin and hemoglobin levels in non-pregnant women, therefore, pulque is an important source of ascorbic acid and non-heme iron.


5.- Pre-hispanic cultures in Mexico used agave sap for wound healing and infection prevention.


6.- Pulque may have risk of pathogen contamination during the artisanal making process, which is performed in an open-air environment without sanitary practices. However, during a microbial evaluation in pulque, even when pathogens such as Salmonella Ty- phimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, among others, were added to fresh “aguamiel” and pulque, all pathogens were quickly deactivated, and none were detected in the final product.


7.- In some cases, saponins exhibited a similar activity to that of drugs currently administered for the same ailments.

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