For the Love of Tequila
>> Tuesday, January 13, 2009
As many of you may or may not know... tequila comes from a very specific region in Mexico and is made from blue agave (see photo). If it is not made in Jalisco, it is not tequila. This is similar to Champagne being a region in France and everyone else really makes sparkling wine. This is known as a geographical indication in wines and spirits. While this would make it seem like Jalisco must be loaded now, what with tequila's surge in popularity and everything, the exact opposite is happening.
NC State did some recent research pertaining to this devilish liquor. Tequila's geographical indication is a bit unfortunate because it is not sustainable ecologically or socially. The demand for tequila is much higher than it was 15 years ago and has doubled production in less than 10 years. Part of the reason they cannot keep up with the demand is that it takes 6 years for blue agave to reach a harvestable size, but recent pests and diseases are making the numbers of agave dwindle. This has lead some larger companies to plant their own agave, thus taking money out of the local economy and small agave farmers' pockets. This is the social.
It gets better (worse?). These same big companies don't hire workers to hand prune the plants for pests. They are using some serious pesticides not commonly used in this area. That is the ecological damage.
Tequila originated over 400 years ago and has been a legacy to the people in this region since then. Big business is not only destroying the land the people have cultivated the agave on for centuries, but taking their jobs as well.
You can find the source article here.
Photo is protected under Creative Commons.
Blue Agave & Barbed Wire
Originally uploaded by nathangibbs
NC State did some recent research pertaining to this devilish liquor. Tequila's geographical indication is a bit unfortunate because it is not sustainable ecologically or socially. The demand for tequila is much higher than it was 15 years ago and has doubled production in less than 10 years. Part of the reason they cannot keep up with the demand is that it takes 6 years for blue agave to reach a harvestable size, but recent pests and diseases are making the numbers of agave dwindle. This has lead some larger companies to plant their own agave, thus taking money out of the local economy and small agave farmers' pockets. This is the social.
It gets better (worse?). These same big companies don't hire workers to hand prune the plants for pests. They are using some serious pesticides not commonly used in this area. That is the ecological damage.
Tequila originated over 400 years ago and has been a legacy to the people in this region since then. Big business is not only destroying the land the people have cultivated the agave on for centuries, but taking their jobs as well.
You can find the source article here.
Photo is protected under Creative Commons.
Blue Agave & Barbed Wire
Originally uploaded by nathangibbs
77 comments:
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
It sucks because I too love this libation. Tequila and I go way back.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
That is such a sad comment on humanity's inability to engage in sustainable business practices. So often, it seems like we are either unwilling or unable to do the right thing for our planet.
s
If it was only tequila, I'd let it pass. But scenarios like this play out around the world every day. Sad, sad, sad - but I'm so glad you raised it here.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
I know it's not just tequila, and it is really a shame that it has to happen at all. Big Business is really the bane of western civilization at times.
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