Christopher Govers News Today

With just a look, Sosima Olivera knows when her cherished agave plants will be ready to make mezcal, tequila's lesser-known Mexican cousin whose fast-growing popularity is raising fears of overexploitation.

With just a look, Sosima Olivera knows when her cherished agave plants will be ready to make mezcal, tequila’s lesser-known Mexican cousin whose fast-growing popularity is raising fears of overexploitation. The mezcal boom means a greater need for the land, water and firewood used to produce the smoky spirit, Olivera said. “This excess demand from national and international markets has consequences. If more plants are needed, of course there’s more exploitation,” said the 50-year-old, wh...

With just a glance, Sosima Olivera knows when her prized agave plants will be ready to make mezcal, tequila's lesser-known Mexican cousin whose rapidly

With just a look, Sosima Olivera knows when her cherished agave plants will be ready to make mezcal, tequila's lesser-known Mexican cousin whose fast-growing popularity is raising fears of overexploitation.

Craft producers of tequila's lesser-known Mexican cousin say that its fast-growing popularity is raising concerns about its sustainability.