[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLdPjpELyU[/youtube]

by Rick Hepting

Recently I made a trip to Mascota, a small town in a high volcanic mountain valley in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, where I spent the good part of the day with the director of an agriculture school there, sharing information and dreams. Even tho neither of us spoke the other’s language, we communicated well because we shared a lot of the same training since we were both botanists. The language of science, as is the language of music and love, universal.

The school had a project growing the Raicilla Agave commercially since this is a well-known, though somewhat illegal profitable industry in the area.

Below are pictures of the various plants used in the creation of some of the popular agave drinks in the State of Jalisco (the home of tequila):

The Agave used for Pulque, a beer-like drink.

The well-known Tequila Blue Agave.

Agave Maximiliana, commonly known as “Pata de Mula” (Mules Foot) or lechuguilla is used to make the Mascota version of Raicilla”

The Agave used to make Tuito Raicilla.

Each of these different plants impart different qualities to their respective products. The taste and strength also vary with the processing methods. If the agave piñas (the 10 year old agave plants with their leaves removed) are baked (as opposed to the commercial method of steaming), the flavor is often quite smokey. I had often heard that the Raicilla from Tuito and Mascota were different but didn’t know to what extent.

These drinks were all originally developed from wild species growing locally and the methods of production are basically the same for the different versions of Raicilla and Tequila: The mature piñas are roasted or steamed, the juice is extracted and then fermented and distilled.

Pulque is a simple fermented drink from the sap of the plant, skipping the distillation process. Raicilla, being basically the moonshine version of Tequila, is often of a very high proof unless you purchase one of the recently commercialized versions which are poor imitations of the original product.

A side benefit of this trip was finding a good Raicilla source in Mascota. This version is a smooth, strong drink that takes about a day to recover from if you drink too much (don’t ask me how I know this).

[youtube LyaM8r_mXdE&rel=1 :: Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off]

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The International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit – the first of its kind in Mexico when it was founded 15 years ago – has become a tradition to promote the great and innovative gastronomy in this extraordinary World Resort.

The purpose of this event is not competition, but to offer a friendly and creative exchange between grand masters of the art of cooking and young talents from all over the world.

Tickets are on sale everyday at Thierrys Prime restaurant from 11 am to 5 pm or are available by calling the Gourmet Festival Office at 222 2247, 221 3671 & 82.

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Outstanding guest chefs, along with the master chefs of our local partner hotels and restaurants, will orchestrate gastronomic fireworks of the highest order!

Savor international creations and mouth watering morsels and relish delightful Gourmet dinners prepared by our guest chefs in all of the Gourmet Festival partner hotels and restaurants.

Some of the the highlights of the 2009 program include the “Grand Gourmet Opening Party,” progressive dining on Gourmet Safaris, Chocolate Art & Tea’s presented by recognized pastry chefs, unforgettable Winemaker’s Nights on several Chefs Tables, Gourmet cooking demonstrations, the ultimate Wine & Cheeses Party at Casa Velas Boutique Hotel and, of course, the chefs hell raising party late at night.

EMAIL: inform (at) festivalgourmet.com

PHONE: (322) 222-2247
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Complimentary Wine Tasting at Café des Artistes

The restaurant Café des Artistes in Centro Puerto Vallarta has announced a “fun and exciting promotion” that is not to be missed. Enjoy complimentary Wine Tasting from 6 to 7 pm in the Costantini Wine Bar in the Restaurant on Thursday evenings until May 14, 2009.

• Café des Artistes – Guadalupe Sánchez 740, Centro
• (322) 222-3228
• info@cafedesartistes.com

In its fifth year in a row, Vallarta Lifestyles Restaurant Week 2009 has begun. Sample the best of what Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

For 17 days, many of Puerto Vallarta’s best restaurants will offer spectacular three-course menus (with three options each) discounted by up to 50%. The cost of the fixed price menus are $169 or $269 pesos (beverages and tips excluded).

Restaurant Week 2009 is endorsed by local municipal authorities, Puerto Vallarta’s tourism bureau (FIDETUR), and Hotel and Motel Association.

Restaurant Week 2009 takes place May 15-31, 2009.

The participating restaurants include:

• Al Fresco
• Archie’s Wok
• Banana Cantina
• Barcelona
• Bocabento
• Bubba Gump Shrimp
• Café des Artistes
• Café des Artistes del Mar
• Cilantro’s
• Coco Tropical
• Daiquiri Dick’s
• El Arrayán
• El Dorado
• Epoca
• Hacienda San Angel
• Japanice
• Kaiser Maximilian
• La Estancia
• La Palapa
• Le Kliff
• Mar Azul
• Mestizo
• Mezzogiorno
• Porto Bello
• Roberto’s
• Si Señor
• The Blue Shrimp
• The River Cafe
• Tikul
• Trattoria Michel
• Trio
• Vista Grill
• Thierry’s Prime Steakhouse
• Vitea

RESTAURANT WEEK WEBSITE

Mexican Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla Festival
Tuesday, March 10, to Sunday, March 15, 2009
10:00am to 6:00pm

Vallarta Botanical Gardens will showcase their collection of chocolate and coffee trees plus vanilla orchids planted en mass during 2008. Educational and inspiring demonstrations, plus a menu dedicated to chocolate, coffee, and vanilla.
Well-known speakers to enlighten us on their specialty at 2pm each afternoon. There is no charge for admission to this Festival other than Garden Entrance Fee of $50 pesos (US$4.00).

The week culminates with a party “Food and Nectar of the Gods”
Saturday evening, March 14th, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm

What is the “Food of the Gods”? Chocolate, of course. Nectar of the Gods? Fine Wine.

This delightfully informative evening with 6 pairings of wine and chocolates is co-hosted by Charlotte Semple & Carole Fast of Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates and Nina Goodhope of La Bodega de Nina Fine Wines. A gourmet Mexican buffet featuring chicken móle is included in the ticket price of $550 pesos.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at:

• Old Town – Xocodiva Chocolates at Rodolfo Gomez #111
• Hotel Zone – The Bookstore in Plaza Caracol
• Marina – Once Upon a Bean Coffee Shop
• Vallarta Botanical Gardens telephone 223-6182
• or from Nina at (044) 322-289-6434

Free transportation provided to and from Lázaro Cárdenas Park in Old Town for this event. Bus departs at 5:00pm, returning at 10:00pm.