Tequila Facts, Health Benefits, & Body Scrub

Happy National Tequila Day! Nothing like taking shots of goodness to celebrate good times. If you decide to celebrate, be sure to do it responsibility. Here are some interesting facts about National Tequila Day courtesy of Tequila Aficionado. Follow them on Pinterest!

Tequila Facts

• National Tequila Day is on July 24th (Not to be confused with National Margarita Day on February 22nd).
• Tequila is a distilled beverage which is made from the Blue Weber Agave plant (also known as Blue Agave and Agave Tequilana).
• Made primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, 40 miles Northwest of Guadalajara and in the highlands (Los Altos) of the western Mexican state of Jalisco.
• More than 300 million blue agave plants are harvested in that surrounding region each year. Agave tequila is as affected by terroir as wine so different regions will produce different flavors.
• Agave grown in the highlands region is generally larger in size and sweeter in aroma and taste.
• Agave grown in the lowland region generally has a more herbaceous fragrance and flavor.
• Mexican law states that tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit and Tamaulipas.
• Mexico is granted international right to the word “tequila”.
• Agave spirits bottled outside the specified regions for tequila can’t be called tequila) Bulk amounts of mixto tequila (not 100% agave) can be shipped to be bottled in the United States, but 100% agave tequilas are bottled only in Mexico.
• Tequila is normally made at 38-40 % alcohol content but can be produced between 31-55 % alcohol content.
• Don Cenobio Sauza, founder of Sauza Tequila and Municipal President of the Village of Tequila from 1884-1885, was the first to export tequila to the United States.
• The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (Tequila Regulatory Council) last reported 1326 registered brands of tequila from 128 different producers in May 2013.

Health benefits of Tequila:

Relaxant – A small glass before heading to bed can help relax you after a busy stressful day, helping you to sleep better.

Lowers Cholesterol – It has been proven the tequila can dissolve fats; reducing cholesterol. Optimizes cardiac functions

Aids Digestion – Drink a glass before, during or after your meal in order to aid digestion.

Tequila Body Scrub Recipe:

You’ll need:
Lime juice from one whole lime
Salt
White tequila
Olive oil

Mix the salt lime, tequila, and add a little bit of olive oil together. Once it’s mixed well, apply to desired areas. Use like any other exfoliating body scrub. The lime and the tequila are a natural antiseptic. Combine them with the salt, which is a great exfoliant, and the olive oil for a good moisturizer. Extra virgin olive oil also has strong antioxidants like Vitamin A and E that repair skin damaged by the sun. **Don’t use after shaving, the antiseptic qualities of the tequila and salt will sting the skin.