Recently, did a slideshow called the essential places for drinking mezcal in oaxaca. Gerry furthsides ulises torrenteras mission to put a spotlight onto authentic, artisan mezcal has transformed the reputation of this spirit formerly regarded as a peasant drink. Mezcal historian ulises torrentera, author of mezcalaria, the cult of mezcal and coproprietor of oaxacas in situ mezcaleria, is visiting seattle and will be at mezcaleria oaxaca on. There you can see a photo of torrenteras bar that ed described. The mezcaleria is only open during the day from 1 to 7pm but its an extraordinary addition to the world of mezcal because it is run by ulises torrentera, the writer and author of several books and essays about mezcal. Its geared for private functions, predominantly mezcal and food pairing events. A journey to the center of traditional mezcal production. Another question came up regarding nom186s impact in mexico. The penc verde is a rare wild maguey that requires 12 years to mature. Behind the bar ulises torrentera, a man with an owlish face and a mop of messy curls, holds court. Ulises torrentera at the restaurant madre in torrance. Ulises torrentera at mezcaleria oaxaca in seattle, wa on.
Experiencing mezcal at mezcalaria part 1 mezcalistas. As i prepare to listen to the bars owner, a native oaxacan mezcal expert named ulises torrentera who is about to guide me through a tasting of three rare and special mezcals, we are interrupted by an incredible outburst of hooting and hollering. Hes just as happy to sell you a copita of mezcal as he is to sell you one of the books hes. Authentic recipes from oaxaca, mexico chef zarela martinez cooks up mexican mole, tamales, and morecomplete with a history of this cuisine and an ingredient glossary by megan o. Mezcales, ulises torrentera in situ has 420 members. Here, the best places to stop to experience the citys incredible food and drink. I was excited to learn that a little mezcaleria had opened inside of one of my favorite bars in oaxaca txalaparta. Heres a guide to sampling the best bottles in oaxaca city and a quick trip into the country. In situ mezcaleria oaxaca bar 50best discovery worlds 50 best. Open 2 to 11pm monday through saturday, in situ is a popular hot spot thanks to proprietor and mezcal expert ulises torrentera, whose book mezcalaria, cultura del mezcal, the cult of mezcal was published in 2000. Ron cooper, a visual artist and the founder of the mezcal brand del maguey, came upon oaxaca in the 1970s while on a quest to find out if the pan american highway really existed.
Food lovers guide to oaxaca city fodors travel guide. Ulises torrentera is probably one of the foremost experts when it comes to mezcal. If you want to learn more about mezcal, the books that ed mentioned are holy smoke, its mezcal by john mcevoy and mezcalaria, the cult of mezcal, by ulises torrentera. After the first shot of mezcal, he said in spanish, life starts. In situ is one of the most respected joints, coowned by mezcal scribe ulises torrentera, with close to 200 varieties on the menu. No matter what time of the year you visit oaxaca, theres plenty of amazing food to eat and drinks to drink. Mezcalaria, cultura del mezcal, the cult of mezcal farolito ediciones, 2012 is the third edition, first bilingual englishspanish, of the seminal 2000 publication by author ulises torrentera. Although mezcal has only recently become an infamously popular drink, torrentera had already documented the first of his findings in the book mezcalaria, in 2002. Farolito mezcal is the exported brand from his famous in situ mezcaleria in oaxaca city. Mezcalaria, the cult of mezcal, by ulises torrentera.
But it wasnt until 1990, when he was in the area to focus on his art, that he began visiting remote villages and tasting their artisanal libations and became interested in mezcal. Known for being unpretentious and affordable, its a hip hangout for the citys local creative crowd, especially the large writing community. The best place to taste mescal in oaxaca i had identified several mezcalerias in guide books and online. Ulises torrentera serving mezcal at his bar mezcaleria in situ, renowned in oaxaca for its focus on education, fair trade with producers and. The mezcal came from ulises torrentera above, mezcal curator and owner of in situ mezcaleria, a bar in oaxaca city.
Ulises torrentera at his mezcaleria txalaparta in oaxaca. Of the 150 or so species of agave found in mexico, around 40 are used. We have spent 2 weeks eating as much as possible in oaxaca. Oaxaca city is considered to be the food capital of mexico, and. Authentic recipes from oaxaca, mexico chef zarela martinez cooks up mexican mole, tamales, and morecomplete with a history of this cuisine and an ingredient glossary. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Mezcal isnt just a spirit, its spiritual food republic. Its a little funky and doesnt seat more than 15, but in situ is a pilgrimage site for any mezcal fan. The first time i visited oaxaca was more than 10 years ago, on a solo trip backpacking through mexico and guatemala.
For the first time, the mythic in situ cofounders, will be revealing their secrets and sharing the source of their fabulous and famous mezcales. The many different ethnic groups who inhabit oaxaca and the unusual geographical topography of the region means that just like oaxacas languages, the cuisine is varied and the product of many different influences, traditions and eras it has been said many times that oaxaca food is the best in the country and many people remember oaxaca for the incredible tastes and flavours which will be. Mezcales, ulises torrentera in situ public group facebook. Where to eat and drink in oaxaca city, mexico foodism. Morelos 511 is owned by ulises torrentera, a guy with a tremendous amount of mezcal knowledge. Join us for a very special dinner with ulises torrentera of oaxacas in situ mezcaleria for. Mezcalaria, cultura del mezcal, the cult of mezcal farolito ediciones. In one of mexicos richest food regions, some of the best eating is right on the street.
Torrentera was on a us tour showing three mezcals from his brand, farolito, which is a showcase for master oaxacan mezcal makers. Oaxacan cuisine is a regional cuisine of mexico, centered on the city of oaxaca, the capital of the state of the same name located in southern mexico. They recently have launched the mezcanautic 2020 tour which runs march 29april 4 in oaxaca. The book is highly opinionated on the one hand, yet on the other contains a wealth of both historical and contemporary facts about agave, mezcal and pulque. The first stop this year was appropriately at maestro mexican restaurant in pasadena, known for their authentic, artisan crafted foods. Bowen, a valenzuela zapata denominations of origin and socioeconomic and ecological sustainability. The walls of this mezcaleria in oaxaca are lined with what its founders claim to be the largest collection of the spirit in mexico. Where to sip the best mezcal in oaxaca, mexico wine. You dont have to meet ulises torrentera personally. Oaxaca, mexico, is wellknown as the home of mezcal. Magical maestro restaurant hosts mezcal missionary ulises. We recommend getting the mezcal and food pairing for a proper oaxacan dining experience. At casa oaxaca, the salsa is made in front of you with tomatoes, tomatillos, herbs and chillies chopped and pounded together to your heat preference.
You can get your greedy chops around nearly 200 different types of handmade mezcal at trendy in situ, where bar owner ulises torrentera is considered to be a mezcal expert. What a glorious eveninggreat mexican food under the starsthe moon to be exact, accompanied by three memorable mezcals. Ulises torrentera, owner of the tiny mezcaleria, in situ, was pouring me a glass from one of his 180 bottles of mezcal, each labeled with a dangling paper tag marked with the name of the maguey plant from which it is made. It was my first night in oaxaca and my third mezcal. M ost mezcals never leave mexico, and many never make it out of oaxaca. One of the newer options, mezcalogia, is a dim and intimate. Ulises has spent the last two decades touring palenques of the different regions of oaxaca and. However, a guide recommended in situ as the best one offering authentic mezcal tasting with a large variety of wild mezcals available.
Here, expert max garrone of mezcalistas helps you find the right match for the aficionado. Like the rest of mexican cuisine, oaxacan food is based on staples such as corn, beans and chile peppers, but there is. His visits to the united states from his native oaxaca are now a big event. One of the coowners is author journalist ulises torrentera. Oaxaca is one of mexicos major gastronomic, historical, and gastrohistorical centers whose cuisine is known internationally. Oaxacas potent secret, mezcal is born of time, tradition and a.
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