In pics: Tequila, Mexico's most iconic national spirit-Xinhua

Antonio Gonzalez Magallanes, a 4th-generation jimador (agave harvester), poses for a portrait at an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

The agave landscape and historic tequila-producing facilities around the town of Tequila have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the spirit's deep cultural roots in Mexico. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Antonio Gonzalez Magallanes, a 4th-generation jimador (agave harvester), walks in an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Antonio Gonzalez Magallanes, a 4th-generation jimador (agave harvester), slashes leaves of an agave at an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Antonio Gonzalez Magallanes, a 4th-generation jimador (agave harvester), stands in front of an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

This photo taken on June 21, 2026 shows an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Antonio Gonzalez Magallanes, a 4th-generation jimador (agave harvester), trims an agave at an agave field in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Visitors take photos of harvested agaves at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Harvested agaves are pictured at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

A staff member works at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

A visitor takes a small cup of tequila at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Casks of tequila are pictured at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Visitors take a tour at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

Visitors taste tequila at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.

A tour guide shows visitors how to taste tequila at Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Jalisco State, Mexico, June 21, 2026. Tequila is Mexico's most iconic national spirit, distilled from the blue agave plant, the vast majority of which is grown in the state of Jalisco.

From cultivation and harvesting to cooking, fermentation, and distillation, a single bottle of tequila embodies a growth cycle of seven to eight years or more.