10 uses of the agave plant

At Dos Cuerpos, we are dedicated to raising awareness about the wonders behind agave distillates and Mexican wine. However, it would be irresponsible not to share the additional uses that agave has beyond the alcohol it provides. That's why we're sharing with you 10 uses of the agave plant that you probably didn't know:

1. The agave is a medicinal plant from which two main remedies are obtained:

   1. Aloe vera: From the purple agave comes this antiseptic and anti-inflammatory product used for burns, bruises, headaches, stomachaches, colds, etc. Other names for it include "sábila," "Posacmetl" (Nahuatl), "huaja" (Otomi), "petk’inki" (Maya).

   2. Agave nectar: This Mexican sweetener helps promote intestinal flora due to its high prebiotic capacity, and it's just as effective a sweetener as bee honey.

2. The agave plant helps prevent soil erosion. Soils that have suffered from very high or very low temperatures become virtually unusable, but the agave, in addition to preventing erosion, can reverse and regenerate the soil due to the amount of oxygen it generates and the amount of carbon dioxide it absorbs.

3. Products can be made from agave plant fibers, specifically Agave fourcroydes. Some examples include:

   1. Ropes, sacks, bags, mats, and even some codices were made from agave leaves.

4. The agave's stalk ("quiote") can be used for home construction.

5. Brushes and brooms are made from the roots.

6. Various parts of the agave can also serve as fuel, such as leaves, piñas (agave hearts), and stalks.

7. Agave is also used for fencing and property delineation.

8. In some cases, cosmetic products like creams and exfoliants are made from agave.

9. It's used for making clothing since both thread and needles can be extracted from a single agave leaf.

10. Lastly, agave also gives life to edible worms, and although it might not sound appetizing, we recommend trying them.

What other uses of the agave do you know? Do you think this versatile plant with a thousand uses could be an alternative to combat climate change?

At Dos Cuerpos, we focus on tastings and the distribution of agave distillates and Mexican wine. Tastings are a reflection on the alcohol to be sampled, and these texts aim to encourage constant reflection. Let us know if you enjoyed this text, if it helped you in any way, and if you have any discrepancies to address.