The Truth About Tequila And Mexico Was Lost For 100 Years | Ted Genoways´ Tequila Wars: Interview

THIS IS A MYSTERIES OF LATIN AMERICA SPECIAL PRESENTATION PODCAST INTERVIEW

Tequila isn’t just a drink—it’s the story of revolutions, betrayals, the Cuervo family empire, along with the Sauza family and other prominent names in the tequila industry. In this exclusive interview, author Ted Genoways reveals the hidden history of tequila and Mexico, and what they mean to each other and us today.

What if everything you thought you knew about tequila’s origins was only half the story?

In this episode of The Mysteries of Latin America, Andrew Colón sits down with two-time James Beard Award-winning journalist Ted Genoways, author of Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico.

We uncover the erased history of tequila from about 1880–1930—a period wiped from memory during and after the Mexican Revolution. This isn’t just about a brand. It’s about power, survival, identity, and the fight for Mexico’s soul.

From José Cuervo’s beginnings in the tequila business, to the rivalry with the Sauza family, to exile, backroom deals, cartels, and the Cuervo women who worked beding the scenes and on the main stage, this story has it all—Succession meets Narcos, with agave.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Interview

• The hidden history of tequila between 1880 and 1930—and why it was erased.
• How the Cuervo family survived wars, revolutions, and betrayals.
• The surprising role of women in building the Cuervo empire.
• Why “cartel” meant something very different in the tequila world.
• Where "Añejo" tequila got its true origins
• How close the tequila industry came to disappearing
• How tequila became Mexico’s calling card to the world.
• A shocking detail that could make any tequila lover drop their glass.
• Here's a link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tequila-Wars-Cuervo-Bloody-Struggle/dp/0393292592/ 

Note: I am not compensated in any way from book sales, the author or any brands mentioned in this interview

 

About The Mysteries of Latin America

I’m Andrew Colón. Every week, I share the myths, legends, histories, and mysteries of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean—so that Latinos in the U.S. know their stories, and everyone else learns ours.

 

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