WardNA wrote:

>>How do you figure that? Mexico was Spanish territory until the early
>>19th century, and had a regular influx of adminstrative personnel from
>>Spain up until that time.
>
>
> They parted ways culturally LONG before that. For instance, it was literally
> illegal to grow vinyards for wine in Mexico during the colonial period, which
> is why Mexico traditionally prefers beer (although it is finally getting into
> winemaking now).
>
> Neil

Of interest: Tequila

Pre Columbian Indians knew how to produce several different drinks from
agave plants, but their techniques did not include distillation, and
hence, strictly speaking, they did not produce "tequila".

Fermented agave juice or "pulque" may be the oldest alcoholic drink on
the continent; it is referred to in an archival Olmec text which claims
that it serves as a "delight for the gods and priests". Pulque was
fermented, but not distilled. Though colonial authorities tried to
suppress "illegal" liquors, the industry of illicit distilling clearly
thrived. One eighteenth century list has more than 81 different
mixtures, including some truly fearsomesounding concoctions such as
"cock's eye", and "excommunication". By the 1670's, the authorities saw
the wisdom of taxing, rather than prohibiting, liquor production.

Distilled agave juice was known for centuries as "mezcal". By the end of
the nineteenth century, tequila had assumed its present name, because of
the widespread popularity of the mezcal produced in Tequila.

Rich

--
"Dum Spiro, Spero."

As long as I breath, I hope.

Cicero (Ancient Rome)





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