Maguey Minis Maguey Minis + Episode Three  How do agaves reproduce? In our third installment of Maguey Minis we talk reproduction! Lorena Teran Ibarra explains both sexual and asexual reproductive mechanisms. We dive deep into the ways in which challenging environmental circumstances can initiate this plant’s inherent intelligence, driving it to reproduce.  In this episode, you will learn about the anatomy of the quiote and its inflorescence. How pollination occurs or doesn’t, and all the ways genetic clones are produced. Please please please check out the images we curated and forma ..read more

Maguey Minis Maguey Minis + Episode Two  How do agaves grow? In our second installment of Maguey Minis, Lorena Teran Ibarra explains the anatomy of the agave plant. We begin with the difference between monocots and eudicots and describe the latter’s particular spiral growth patterns. We discuss the leaves or pencas of the plants and touch on some of the different morphological variations they can present.  Did you know magueys breath at night?! We explain CAM photosynthesis and the impressive way these plants store their carbon dioxide for later use. Each Maguey Mini episode has its ..read more

28 + Maguey Minis / Episode One  What’s in a name? Introducing our new miniseries all about agave plants! Joining Sabrina is our resident agave educator, Lorena Teran Ibarra. Lore is the director of Copita Project for El Buho Mezcal where she leads the regenerative agriculture and educational programs. In this first episode, we cover the origin of the word Agave and explain the binomial nomenclature system that classifies all living things. We also introduce other names for the plant given by first nation communities in their native languages. We share some stats on how many species are u ..read more

27 + Lorena Terán Ibarra Regenerative Agriculture in Oaxaca Lorena Terán Ibarra is the director of Copita Project for El Buho Mezcal where she leads the regenerative agriculture and educational programs.  Initiated by the founders of El Buho, the Copita Project seeks to replenish and preserve the balance of the natural environment while planting cultivated and semi-cultivated agaves.  Practicing regenerative, organic agriculture in Copita Field is not a one size fits all solution. Lorena was quite candid in explaining the importance of learning from the environment and adapting to it ..read more

26 + Felix Hernandez Monterroza / Adriana Correa / Fred Sanchez Agua Del Sol Félix Hernandez Monterroza is the founder of Mezcales Cuish and Mezcaleria Cuish; he and his wife Adriana Correa are the co-founders of Agua del Sol. Fred Sanchez is the founder and managing partner of Bad Hombre Importing.  Adriana and Felix were super accommodating in speaking with us exclusively in English, sharing the story of Agua del Sol, and Felix’s family history selling and producing mezcal in Matatlan, Oaxaca.  We often use the word respect when it comes to the production and consumption of agave s ..read more

25 + Martha Garza Vazquez Cuero Viejo We are joined by Martha Garza Vazquez the COO of Cuero Viejo Mezcal, produced in the town of Nombre de Dios in the state of Durango. Martha shares the history of Cuero Viejo, a vinata and mezcal brand her father dreamed about for over 40yrs and realized in 2015. We learn about the land where the vinata is located and the spectacular environmental beauty and culture that make this region, an official Pueblo Magico.  We discuss the fruit trees endemic to the area as well as the temperature fluctuations throughout the seasons, the natural spring water an ..read more

24 + Gabriela Badillo 68 Voices 68 Hearts We are joined by Gabriela Badillo, the creator of Sesenta y Ocho Voces Sesenta y Ocho Corazones. Gabriela is also a co-founder of Hola Combo, a creative studio with a focus on animation, brand identity, and storytelling.   Initiated in 2013, 68 voices 68 hearts is an animated series of Mexican indigenous stories told in their native language. These animated shorts are based on the philosophy that "No one can love what they don't know." We speak with Gabriela about how she first conceived of the idea for 68 voices and how the pr ..read more

23 + Asis Cortés Mezcal Family History   We are pleased to welcome Asis Cortés to the show. Asis comes from 6 generations of Zapotec mezcal producers and maguey cultivators in Matatlan, Oaxaca. This podcast is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of mezcal culture and production from the perspective of a person whose family has been producing since the 1840s. Asis has been involved in several mezcal projects over that past 15 years. Many of them you may be familiar with: Agave Cortés, Nuestra Soledad, El Jolgorio, and Origen Raiz. Asis is also the founder of Mezcalogia, Ofr ..read more

21 + Rion Toal Maestros del Mezcal   Rion is a co-organizer of the civil association Maestros del Mezcal in Oaxaca. He is the host of the podcast of the same name, Maestros del Mezcal as well as the founder of Of Spine and Vine an importer and distributor of rare beverages.   We discussed how Maestros del Mezcal promotes and advocates for the protection of traditional mezcal in Oaxaca and the surrounding states in Mexico. This social project has been in existence for over two decades but was officially formed in 2009. The association provides financial and technical support to produc ..read more

21 + Salvador Picazo Chavez La Luna Mezcal Salvador Picazo Chavez is the founder and President of Puente Internacional and the founder of La Luna Mezcal and Gustoso Aguardiente Rum, both produced in Michoacán, Mexico. This is the first interview we have had with a producer from Michoacán but definitely not the first conversation about the State and the mezcal produced there. Michoacán is a rich and fertile region of Mexico, where most of the Avocados consumed in the US are grown. It is home to a vibrant culinary tradition and has a history of sugar cane distillation and mezcal production ..read more