Food and Beverage
Talking Tequila: Understanding how 100% agave blanco tequilas are made
Last Updated on August 16, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Talking Tequila: Understanding how 100% agave blanco tequilas are made
(Family Features) As one of the world’s most popular spirits, tequila has a rich heritage rooted in traditional Mexican craftsmanship. Yet, many people may not be aware of its history or all that goes into producing the spirit. Understanding the production process can reveal the commitment to quality, artistry and craftsmanship that defines one of Mexico’s greatest treasures.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit that can only be made from Blue Weber agave grown in five specific regions of Mexico: Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. Blue Weber agave takes more than five years to mature and each agave plant is harvested only once.
Tequila is not just a spirit – it’s also a place. The town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, is where this iconic spirit was born. The tequila industry as people know it began in 1758 when Jose Antonio de Cuervo was granted land in the region. By 1812, his family established La Rojeña, which remains the oldest tequila distillery in the world. Cuervo was the first to export tequila to the United States, setting the stage for tequila’s global expansion. Today, La Rojeña crafts many tequilas, including Cuervo Tradicional, Reserva de la Familia by Jose Cuervo and Maestro Dobel Tequila, following time-honored methods.
The Art of Tequila Production
The tequila-making process begins with cooking the inner portion of the agave, the piña, to convert the plant’s natural starches into fermentable sugars. After cooking, the juices from the piñas are extracted and separated from the agave fibers. These juices are then fermented using various yeast strains to convert the agave sugars to alcohol before the liquid is distilled.
The art of tequila production involves striking a balance between traditional methods and modern techniques to achieve consistency and quality. This process showcases the natural complexity and character of the Blue Weber agave plant, as well as the unique craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.
Favorite 100% Agave Blanco Tequilas
When searching for your next favorite tequila, consider one of these award-winning 100% agave options crafted with just three simple ingredients. Each tequila has been Mexican-family owned for 11 generations, uses estate-grown agave, recycles 100% of its agave fibers and treats 100% of the water used in the tequila-making process. To learn more about tequila production, visit TequilaFacts.org.
The Tequila That Invented Tequila
The original tequila created more than 230 years ago by the oldest tequila company and first agave farmers, Cuervo Tradicional Blanco follows the same family recipe that put tequila on the map. This award-winning 100% Blue Weber agave tequila offers herbaceous citrus notes balanced by spicy, sweet fruit and a clean finish. Cuervo is a protector of the industry, environment and Mexican communities at the heart of tequila.
How It’s Made: The agaves are aged at least 5 1/2 years before they’re cooked in traditional masonry brick ovens at La Rojeña for 36-40 hours. They’re then processed through roller mills to extract the juices.
The Best Taste in Tequila and in Life
Taking its name from the year tequila began gaining recognition beyond its humble origins in Jalisco, Mexico, 1800 Blanco Tequila features a floral, fruity aroma with hints of spice and black peppercorn with a balanced sweet prune and roasted pepper flavor, making it the perfect tequila to enjoy neat, on the rocks or incorporated in your favorite cocktail.
How It’s Made: Agave hearts are hand-harvested at peak maturity before the tequila is cooked in traditional masonry brick ovens for more than 36 hours, then double-distilled in copper pot stills. The tequila is a special selection of white tequilas blended for added complexity and flavor.
The Organic Crown Jewel of the Cuervo Family
Reserva de la Familia Organic Platino by Jose Cuervo is part of a collection of small-batch artisanal tequilas, 100% organically certified and handcrafted with meticulous care. This bright, unaged tequila features a unique, sweet and spicy palate with notes of melon, honey and hay, culminating in a clean finish highlighted by warm cinnamon spice. As a 100% certified organic product, it is one of the finest, most sustainable ultra-premium tequilas on the market.
How It’s Made: This tequila is crafted following the ‘Esencia de Agave’ process – a proprietary process created by Cuervo and known only by the distillers. This method allows the agave notes to retain their original character and shine through in the aroma and flavor of the finished product.
Mexico’s No. 1 Tequila
An award-winning, 100% Blue Weber agave tequila, Gran Centenario Plata is the favorite tequila of Mexico. Originated in 1857 by the first Master Distiller of tequila, this blanco presents vibrant fruit characteristics of pear, lime and citrus, complemented by subtle black pepper undertones.
How It’s Made: This blanco tequila is unique because it is matured in American Oak pipónes for 4-6 weeks, contributing to its distinctive straw color. The surface contact ratio of the pipónes is smaller than a barrel, which allows for less exposure to the wood, creating a nuanced flavor profile when compared to other blancos.
An Uncommonly Smooth Tequila for Any Occasion
A beloved tequila in Mexico, Maestro Dobel Blanco is crafted from single estate agaves that are slow-cooked in masonry ovens. Distilled twice, the resulting liquid is sweet, featuring caramel, honey, maple, walnut and vanilla tones alongside an indescribable softness and smooth finish.
How It’s Made: The agaves are harvested before the rainy season to create a greater concentration of carbohydrates, adding depth of flavor and producing a smooth, complex blanco tequila.
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Food and Beverage
ALDI Rolls Out Its First-Ever Line of Ready-Made Meals
ALDI is entering the ready-made meal market with seven fresh, refrigerated dishes priced under $15. The rollout begins in October, with nationwide availability expected by January 2027.
Busy shoppers looking for a quick dinner option will soon have something new waiting in the refrigerated section at ALDI.
ALDI is launching its first-ever collection of fresh, ready-made meals, introducing seven single-serve and family-size dishes designed to combine convenience, affordability and familiar comfort-food flavors.
The new meals begin rolling out at select ALDI stores in early October, with additional markets receiving them throughout the fall. ALDI expects the entire collection to be available nationwide by January 2027.
Seven New Meals — Ready to Heat and Eat
Unlike frozen dinners, ALDI says its new meals are delivered fresh and sold refrigerated in easy-to-heat trays.
The initial lineup includes five single-serve meals priced under $8:
- Beef Bolognese Spaghetti
- Beef Brisket with White Mac & Cheese
- Butter Chicken & Rice
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Two larger family-size meals will be available for under $15:
- Chicken and Bacon Mac n’ Cheese
- Meat Lovers Pizza Bake
ALDI says the recipes were developed around ingredients including chicken breast, smoked beef brisket, real cheeses and made-from-scratch sauces.
The single-serve meals contain between 30 and 46 grams of protein per serving, according to the company. Family-size offerings provide between 16 and 22 grams per serving.
Convenience Without the Restaurant Bill
The move puts ALDI more directly into the growing market for prepared refrigerated meals — an increasingly attractive option for consumers who want something more substantial than a frozen dinner but don’t necessarily have the time or desire to cook from scratch.
ALDI cited the 2026 International Food Information Council Food & Health Survey, which found that 61% of Americans consider convenience an important factor when purchasing food.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives without sacrificing quality or stretching their budgets,” Joan Kavanaugh, Vice President of National Buying for ALDI U.S., said in the company’s announcement.
ALDI supplier Kitchen Food Company said hundreds of recipes were tested while developing the new collection.
Dinner in Just a Few Minutes
Convenience is a major part of the concept.
Depending on the variety, ALDI’s single-serve meals require roughly 3½ to 4½ minutes in the microwave. The company instructs consumers to heat the meals until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The larger family meals can be prepared in a conventional oven at 350 degrees, with approximately 40 minutes of total cooking time.
Shoppers will find the meals in the refrigerated meals section near the front of participating ALDI stores.
More Meals Are Coming
The seven dishes are only the beginning.
ALDI says it plans to introduce additional ready-made meals through its rotating ALDI Finds selection every month during the next year. That could allow the retailer to experiment with additional recipes, flavors and seasonal offerings while expanding its presence in prepared foods.
The timing also makes the rollout noteworthy. With restaurant meals and takeout competing for household food dollars, prepared grocery-store meals occupy a middle ground: more convenient than cooking from scratch while potentially costing considerably less than feeding a family through restaurant delivery or takeout.
For ALDI shoppers, that means the familiar question of “What’s for dinner?” may soon have a few more answers — and they could be waiting just inside the front door.
Source: ALDI, September 22, 2026
Sources & Related Links
- ALDI — Official Announcement: ALDI Launches First-Ever Collection of Ready-Made Meals
- Original Press Release: ALDI Ready-Made Meals — PR Newswire
- Consumer Research: 2026 IFIC Food & Health Survey — Convenience Outranks Healthfulness
- More ALDI News: ALDI U.S. Newsroom
- More Food & Drink Coverage: STM Daily News Food & Drink
Hungry for More?
Looking for more easy dinner ideas, meal-planning inspiration, and affordable meals? Explore STM Daily News Food & Drink for the latest recipes, food news, restaurant stories, culinary trends and more.
A poached egg may look fancy, but it is surprisingly easy to prepare. With a tender egg white and warm, runny yolk, it makes a delicious addition to toast, salads, breakfast bowls or avocado toast.
Ingredients
- 1 large fresh egg
- Water
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar, optional
- Salt and black pepper
- Toast or English muffin for serving, optional
Instructions
Fill a saucepan with about 2 to 3 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Avoid a rolling boil, which can break the egg apart.
Crack the egg into a small cup or bowl. Add the vinegar to the water if desired—it helps the egg white hold its shape.
Gently slide the egg into the simmering water. Cook for about 3 minutes for a runny yolk, or 4 to 5 minutes for a firmer center.
Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and place it briefly on a paper towel to absorb excess water. Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.
Quick Tip
Fresh, cold eggs usually produce the neatest poached eggs because their whites are thicker and stay closer to the yolk while cooking.
Simple, satisfying and ready in minutes, a poached egg is an easy way to make an everyday breakfast feel a little more special.
recipes
Fiber is Trending: Sorghum Makes it Simple
One whole grain quietly gaining recognition for its impressive nutritional profile and versatility in the kitchen is sorghum. This Sorghum Fall Harvest Salad makes it easy to add more fiber to your plate, pairing whole-grain sorghum with seasonal produce like kale, butternut squash and apples.
Fiber is Trending: Sorghum Makes it Simple
(Feature Impact) Protein has long dominated nutrition headlines. Now, dietitians encourage people to pay close attention to another important nutrient: fiber.
One whole grain quietly gaining recognition for its impressive nutritional profile and versatility in the kitchen is sorghum. It’s a naturally gluten-free whole grain that provides both fiber and protein, contains naturally occurring antioxidants and supplies essential nutrients including magnesium, iron and B vitamins.
One reason sorghum is attracting attention is its fiber content. Whole-grain sorghum contains a type of fiber called resistant starch, which research has shown can contribute to healthy body weight and improved insulin resistance.
Unlike many refined gluten-free products that are lower in fiber, sorghum delivers the benefits of a whole grain while remaining naturally gluten-free. Whether you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or simply want to enjoy a wider variety of whole grains, sorghum is an easy addition to your menu.
Another reason nutrition experts are taking a closer look at sorghum is its antioxidant content, specifically its health-promoting polyphenols.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how easy sorghum is to cook with. Whole-grain sorghum offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor and pleasantly chewy texture, making it a delicious alternative for brown rice, quinoa or farro in grain bowls, soups and salads.
Pearled sorghum cooks faster, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Sorghum flour can replace wheat flour in pancakes, muffins and quick breads, while popped sorghum creates bite-sized crunchy kernels for a fun snack or topping for yogurt, soups and salads. For example, this Sorghum Fall Harvest Salad makes it easy to add more fiber to your plate, pairing whole-grain sorghum with seasonal produce like kale, butternut squash and apples.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean following the latest trend. Sometimes it simply means rediscovering nutritious foods that have stood the test of time. With its combination of fiber, protein, antioxidants and naturally gluten-free, whole-grain goodness, sorghum is an ancient grain worth adding to your pantry.
You can find dozens of recipes, cooking tips and meal ideas at SorghumCheckoff.com/recipes.
Easy Sorghum Swaps for Everyday Dishes
If you’re looking for ways to add more sorghum to your meals, these easy swaps make it simple to enjoy this versatile grain in recipes you already love.
- Replace rice. Use cooked whole-grain or pearled sorghum instead of white or brown rice in grain bowls, stir fries, burrito bowls and side dishes.
- Swap for pasta. Stir cooked sorghum into pasta salads or use it in place of small pasta shapes in soups for a hearty twist.
- Mix into salads. Add cooked sorghum to green salads, grain salads or vegetable salads for extra texture and whole-grain nutrition.
- Boost your breakfast. Stir cooked sorghum into oatmeal, yogurt parfaits or breakfast bowls then top with fruit, nuts or cinnamon.
- Bake with sorghum flour. Replace wheat flour in pancakes, muffins, cookies, waffles or quick breads with sorghum flour for a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Sorghum Fall Harvest Salad
Recipe courtesy of Sorghum Checkoff
- 1 cup roasted butternut squash, cubed
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus additional for drizzling, divided
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sorghum syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 cups kale, chopped
- 1 cup cooked whole-grain sorghum
- 1 small apple, diced
- 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onions, diced
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss cubed butternut squash with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and golden.
- In a jar or small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sorghum syrup, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper, to taste, until emulsified.
- Add chopped kale to a large bowl. Massage with a drizzle of olive oil 1-2 minutes until tender.
- Arrange precooked sorghum, roasted squash, apple, pecans, dried cranberries, red onion and feta cheese on top of kale.
- Drizzle with sorghum syrup dressing just before serving. Toss lightly to combine or serve dressing on the side.
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