1.     Jalisco, the state where the majority of tequila is produced, is part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, which marks the beginning of the North American Cordillera. This cordillera eventually extends to the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, spanning all the way up to Canada and Alaska.

2.     The meaning of "Tequila" in Nahuatl, the local indigenous language, is "place of work and cutting." Interestingly, in the Tequila region, an incredible amount of work and cutting is required to harvest agave for Tequila production.

3.     The first large-scale tequila distillery was established by the Marquis of Altamira in the 1600s. Cuervo began commercial tequila distillation in 1758.

4.     The most expensive tequila bottle ever made is Tequila Ley Diamante, crafted from over 5lbs of Platinum and adorned with more than 4000 diamonds. This bottle was offered for sale at $3,500,000 in 2016.

5.     Mezcal derives from the Nahuatl word "Mexcalli," meaning "Oven-Cooked Agave."

6.     Mayahuel was the Venus-like goddess of the agave and a symbol of fertility.

7.     Similar to Cognac or Champagne, Tequila is not just a beverage but also a place.

8.     Tequila was named after the town of Tequila. Initially, it was referred to as "Vino de Mezcal de Tequila," translated as "Wine from Mezcal from (the town of) Tequila."

9.     Surrounding the town of Tequila, Jalisco, the predominant agave variety was Blue Agave. The mezcal from this town gained fame for its quality and taste, leading to the name transition from Vino de Mezcal to Tequila.

10.   Agaves are not cacti; they are perennial succulents.

11.   Taxonomically, they are closer relatives to asparagus and lilies.

12.   Although Agaves resemble large Aloe Vera plants, they differ significantly. Aloe contains gel-like substance inside the leaves, while agave leaves are fibrous.

13.   Espadín is a genetic ancestor of Blue Agave.

14.   Humans have been cultivating agave in Mexico for at least 11,000 years.

15.   Pulque, a fermented agave sap beverage called "aguamiel" (honey water), is somewhat similar to beer. Pulque can be produced from various agave types.

16.   Pulque has been brewed for millennia. A 1000-year-old mural in Cholula, Mexico, titled "Los Bebedores (The Drinkers)," depicts its consumption.

17.   Pulque was consumed during sacred rituals to commune with the Gods.

18.   Pulque served as a remedy for the sick, elderly, and pregnant. Its use was limited to religious and medicinal contexts, not for public drunkenness.

19.   Initially banned by the Spanish, Pulque's status was later revised.

20.   Agave leaves and fibers were utilized for food and shelter, including ropes, clothing, bedding, roofs, and needles.

21.   Some evidence and artifacts dated around 1500 BC suggest that pulque might have been distilled over 3500 years ago, although this remains unsettled.

22.   The town of Tequila benefits from nutrient-rich volcanic soil at the base of a volcano, as well as deep wells.

23.   Agave harvesting methods have remained unchanged for over 400 years.

24.   Lowland agave grows in volcanic soil, producing earthy and spicy notes. In the Highlands, red iron-rich soil yields fruitier and sweeter agaves.

25.   The Jalisco lowlands sit at 4000 feet above sea level, comparable to Denver's altitude. The highlands reach up to 7000 feet.

26.   Agave takes approximately 7 years to mature, leading to periodic shortages due to shifts in supply and demand.

27.   Agave can be cooked using Traditional Ovens (Brick or Stone), Autoclave Pressure Cookers, or Difusors (Industrial for high volume).

28.   Sauza exported the first barrels of tequila in 1873 from El Paso, totaling 3 barrels.

29.   In the early 1900s, tequila was marketed as Mexican Whiskey or Mexican Brandy in the United States.

30.   Songs such as the 1958 hit "Tequila" and 1977's "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet contributed to tequila's popularity.

31.   Bing Crosby, along with his friend Phil Harris (voice of Baloo in The Jungle Book), is believed to be the first to import 100% agave tequila into the US.

32.   Tequila with a worm was a marketing ploy for lower-end mezcals in the past.

33.   Tequila directly supports over 70,000 families in Mexico, as well as indirect beneficiaries.

34.   Mexico boasts around 140 distilleries, each with a unique NOM code.

35.   Close to 1,700 tequila brands exist, some available exclusively in Mexico or the US.

36.   Surprisingly, Germany ranks as the world's 3rd largest consumer of tequila after the US and Mexico.

37.   Drinking tequila with salt and a lime is not common in Mexico. Tequila is typically sipped and paired with Sangrita, a spicy citrus juice.

38.   Tequila can enhance a variety of cocktails, such as Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mule, Tonic, and Martini, each exhibiting unique depths and flavors when combined with blanco, reposado, or añejo tequila.

39.   Agaves are usually propagated through offshoot pups called "hijuelos," not by seeds.

40.   Agave fields require constant maintenance due to threats like weeds, bugs, agave weevils, bacteria, and fungus.

41.   Horses are still employed for plowing most agave fields.

42.   Agaves are initially planted at the width of an agave between rows. After harvesting, new agaves are planted to allow the soil to recover, following a 7-year on, 7-year off cycle to retain soil nutrients.

43.   The best Hijuelos for planting are harvested around year 3-4, measuring about 12-18 inches tall with a 4-inch root diameter.

44.   Both male and female agaves exist.

45.   Agaves develop massive stalks, akin to trees, just before flowering and dying.

46.   Male agaves have a "cogollo" that must be removed before roasting, characterized by waxy dwarfed leaves.

47.   Female agaves produce a towering 20+ foot stalk, known as "quiote," bearing bright yellow flowers around year 10-12.

48.   Bats play a vital role as pollinators for agave plants.

49.   Efforts are being made to incorporate more seeded agaves due to the disease susceptibility of clones.

50.   Hacienda distilleries feature tunnels that once served as hiding spots for revolutionaries and are now repurposed as aging bodegas.

51.   Surprisingly, Mexico only around 1/3 of its tequila production, about 1/2 of all production goes to the United States, and the remaining goes to the other countries in the world.

52. Tequila was granted an International Denomination of Origin in 1974 and can only be produced in the Mexican States of Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas.

53. Other Mexican Spirits other than Tequila with an International Denomination of Origin are: Mezcal, Charanda, Bacanora, Sotol, and Raicilla.