What is Agave?

What is agave? When is ready to be harvested? Why should you care? We meander around the subject, then mezcalero Carlos Mendez Blass provides an expert opinion. Then we explain how to both cover your ass and cover your chest in Mexico.   (Season 1, Episode 2)

Episode-related pictures below, some with links

A variety of agaves growing in Marco Ochoa's garden in Miahuatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico

A four-year-old tobala going to seed

Etchings on agave pencas (leaves)

A flowering quiote

A cogoyudo agave

Click to watch an agave being capon'd

Remigio Mesta's Huipil

Ni En More

Tobala ready to sprout, courtesy of Cinco Sentidos

Rolling piñas down the mountainside is a lot easier than carrying them — but don’t get run over by a runaway agave