When folks around the country think of agave, they picture hotbeds ike Guadalajara, Mexico. Tucson aims to challenge that notion with the Agave Heritage Festival, scheduled from Thursday, April 10, to Sunday, April 13.
“But agave thrives in border cities,” said Dr. Ben Wilder, Agave Heritage Festival co-chair.
“We have over 150 species of agave that are grown in the Tucson region. It's the perfect landscape here for plants and gardens. Agave is important for pollination and agave is aesthetically beautiful. Agave is critically important ecologically.”
Agave has many uses. The sap from Americana and other species is used to produce pulque, an alcoholic beverage. The flower shoot is cut, and the sap is collected and subsequently fermented. By means of distillation, the spirit mezcal is created. One variety of mezcal is tequila. Each agave plant yields several pounds of edible flowers. The sap of some species can be used to make soap.
"It's really important to understand the relationship humans have had with this plant, which goes back thousands of years," Wilder said. "It's an amazing plant that's incredibly hearty. The agave is about food, fiber and sustenance. And then there's the culture of drinking. Many people who heard of agave and they just think of tequila. That's not a very good representation of the plant."
The Agave Heritage Festival is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to learn more about this magical plant. Additionally, for those seeking more knowledge, the Howard Scott Gentry lecture is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at the Corbett Event Space.
Diana Pinzon and Faby Torres Monfils will be recognized at the event for their leadership and commitment to the core values of the cultural and ecological connections and foundations that support mezcal production.
A festival highlight is Noche de Mezcal on Thursday, April 10, at the Playground. This event features an intimate mezcal toast. Participants can explore among 11 bars and restaurants. Tickets include more than just smoky crafted cocktails and mini bites. Those partaking will receive a veladora, a lanyard and access to a curated collection of mezcal tastings and pairings at each stop.
A free experience for all ages is the agave roast pit uncovering on Thursday, April 10, at the Mission Garden. Members of the Kumeyaay tribe, led by Dr. Stanley Rodriguez, who has been the president of Kumeyaay Community College since 2018, will demonstrate its methods of roasting agave hearts and share samples of this sweet and creative food.
The Bar Takeover for Thursday, April 10, is at Bar Crisol X Madre. Bar Crisol will showcase the bold flavors of Los Cantiles 1905, a renowned bacanora brand. On this one-night-only celebration of mezcal culture and borderland heritage, folks can sip on crafted agave cocktails, enjoy fun pours, and experience the rich tradition of bacanora.
There will be a book signing event on Friday, April 11, at Petroglyphs. Ted Genoways will ink his latest book, "Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico." Genoways’ project reveals the untold story of how tequila became a global icon, tracing the Cuervo family's rise amid fierce rivalries, political upheaval, and battles for control over Mexico's most celebrated spirit.
A can't miss event is the Culinary Tribute to the Sonoran Desert, which will be held Friday, April 11, at Maynards Kitchen and Bottle Shop. The five-course dining experience brings together regional flavors. The event will be led by Maynards’ new executive chef, Roderick LeDesma. Traditional ingredients will be melded with modern techniques. Each course will be paired with La Gritona Reposado Tequila. Artful pours and cocktails will enhance the flavors of each dish.
A guided tasting at Tap and Bottle Downtown is slated for Friday, April 11. It's an interactive experience into the world of Tequila Ocho. There will be three 1-ounce neat pours of Tequila Ocho, light bites and discussions on tasting techniques, tequila craftsmanship and cocktail creation.
It's not just about chocolate and peanut butter. How about chocolate and mezcal? A guided chocolate and mezcal pairing is set for Saturday, April 12, at Westbound. There will be pours of Esfuerzo Mezcal and Ember's Chocolate, as well as a complimentary copita.
There will be an educational tasting Saturday, April 12, at Bar Crisol featuring Northern Mexico Spirits.
Enjoy a troika of 4-ounce sample pours of Northern Mexico Spirits accompanied by light bites.
The Agave Heritage Festival concludes with a guided hike on Tumamoc Hill, where you can learn about the natural and cultural history of Tucson and the Sonoran Desert. The tour offers insights into ecology, cultural history and desert adaptations that have shaped the landscape and agave farming and resilience.
The Agave Heritage Festival
held from Thursday, April 10, to Sunday, April 13, at various venues around Tucson. For details, visit agaveheritagefestival.com.
