Tequila Production Using Pit Roasting and Botanical Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tequila production methods often result in a bitter taste due to early harvesting of agave pinas, requiring additives like glycerin and sugar, and lack the unique smoky and vanilla flavors achievable through alternative roasting methods.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the harvesting of mature Weber blue agave pinas, roasting in an earthen pit sealed with a stone layer, and distillation processes that include the use of organic butterfly pea flowers to achieve a smoky, non-bitter, and colored tequila, eliminating the need for additives and utilizing artisanal, eco-friendly practices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If agave pinas are harvested early to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but the taste becomes bitter and quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting speedVSAvoidtaste quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the harvesting parameter from early harvest (4 years) to mature harvest (8+ years), which eliminates bitterness and removes the need for glycerin and sugar additives, thereby improving taste quality while maintaining productivity through efficient processing of mature agave

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional brick oven or horno is used for roasting, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but unique smoky and vanilla flavors cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroasting process simplicityVSAvoidflavor profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (indigenous plant material such as pine needles, sage, or rosemary) placed on hot stones during roasting, which mediates the heat transfer and imparts unique smoky and vanilla flavors to the agave pinas, enhancing the flavor profile while maintaining the simplicity of the brick oven process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If plastic tarps are used to cover the oven during roasting, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful chemicals are released and product safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoven covering simplicityVSAvoidchemical contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces durable but harmful plastic tarps with disposable natural materials (soil, straw, or natural fibers) that can be easily applied and discarded after use, eliminating chemical contamination while maintaining ease of operation through simple covering methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Produces a tequila with a distinct smoky and vanilla flavor, eliminating bitterness and the need for additives, while maintaining high quality through longer roasting times and eco-friendly production methods, resulting in a unique flavor and color profile.

Implementation Method 1

roasting in an earthen pit sealed with a stone layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal retention: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

achieving a smoky, non-bitter, and colored tequila

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSmoke infusion: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

distillation processes that include the use of organic butterfly pea flowers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

use of organic butterfly pea flowers to achieve a smoky, non-bitter, and colored tequila

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural pigmentation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240352387A1Method of making tequila

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 O SIX ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A method of making smoked colored tequila is disclosed.