Food - News
Tequila Is Actually A Misleading Alcohol, As Odd As It Sounds
By CARLOS HERNANDEZ
70% of all tequila contains additives like aspartame due to loose labeling requirements and Mexican government regulations. These additives can alter the aroma, color, and flavor.
This means that the taste of most tequila is misleading. In fact, many consumers may “not know what traditional tequila tastes like,” says spirits expert Rebecca Quinonez.
The situation is worsened by a lack of agave plants. As demand for tequila rises, additives let manufacturers artificially flavor products as if they were made with quality agave.
There are groups seeking to avoid additives, like Tequila Matchmaker, whose Additive-Free Program maintains an active list of brands that provide transparency about their products.
At least four additives are permitted by the Mexican government, including glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extracts, and sugar-based syrup.
Some brands are acting on customers’ increasing discernment. Patrón created The Agave Masters as a resource that enables people to study the company's "unbiased" research.
The first module is about additives, exploring why companies use them in their tequila products. These kinds of spotlights could be industry-changing as tequila's popularity grows.