We’re counting down to Earth Day, April 22, 2022.
Elise Som, co-founder, and director of sustainability for Mijenta Tequila knows a thing or two about caring for our planet. Her background where the environment is concerned is impressive, to say the least. If anyone can teach us how to properly salute a sustainable spirit, she can. Here’s what Elise had to say about drinking sustainably.
Talk to us about Mijenta’s culture of sustainability.
Sustainability is one of our fundamental principles. Mijenta is built on the desire to maintain nature and all the wonders it has to offer, seeking to reverse environmental impact through actions carried out at all stages of the life cycle through the principles of the circular economy. That is why sustainability is at the heart of Mijenta’s process, and from farm to bottle, Mijenta is committed to minimizing our environmental impact, and maximizing the community’s energy efficiency. A few initiatives that Mijenta has adopted to reduce waste and carbon emissions include:
- Packaging elements are purchased directly from Mexico
- Paper components are made from agave waste (called bagasse)
- Mijenta purchases excess bottles for their glassware that has already been produced and would have otherwise gone to waste
- In 2021, Mijenta announced a partnership with Whales of Guerrero, a non-profit working to bring Guerrero’s oceans back to a healthy balance and will soon announce a new partnership with La Tortuga Viva, a community organization that supports sea turtle conservation on the coast of Mexico.
Why is this important to the brand?
Community and sustainability run central to our philosophy at Mijenta. From the very start, Mijenta’s founders were dedicated to doing well by doing right. Mindful of adverse effects, it is Mijenta’s duty to protect our heritage and preserve our environment. With this in mind, actions are carried out at all stages of the life cycle; from sustainable sourcing to responsible procurement practices, conscious packaging land and ocean preservation.
Drinkers these days are environmentally conscious and care about the origin of spirits. Talk to us about this development.
As citizens are learning more and more about the devastating effects that global warming is having on the planet and how quickly we need to act as a community, consumers are making more of a concentrated effort to support brands that align with their own ethos and avoid those that are adversely affecting both the planet and their workers.
Ultimately, this is the responsibility of the producers to choose systems that, at the very least, don’t harm, and ideally restore what has been lost and support both the planet and people. Sustainability has been a pillar of our brand from the very beginning, and we will continue to further these initiatives and give back. That said, we are very grateful that consumers are recognizing this too by choosing products that give back and prioritizing the planet when it needs it most.
Where do you see this concept evolving to in the future?
We are hopeful that all brands, especially larger corporations, will begin and continue to make the steps towards carbon neutrality and join in the work to reverse the effects of global warming. Each year we offset our carbon footprint and are thrilled to see others follow suit. It needs to be a collective effort.
What would you like bartenders to know about Mijenta?
Mijenta’s Blanco and Reposado flavor profiles are created intentionally and over many many months. Maestra Tequilera, Ana Maria Romero Mena, oversees the entire production of Mijenta from harvest to bottle and has worked to increase certain flavors, build the terroirs and combine the elements of creation, including elevation, soil and agave. Our tequilas celebrate the agave and enhance its fragrant, sensual aromas. With the goal of bringing the land and the ancestral art of harvesting and distilling agave to the foreground, the flavor of Mijenta’s tequilas is a story that unfolds from within and that brightens up any cocktail from within.
What is the best way to enjoy Mijenta Tequilas?
Blanco – Mijenta Blanco is perfect for cocktails, best pairing with citrus, pepper and herb flavors to compliment those in the tequila. On the nose, Mijenta Blanco offers notes of vanilla & caramel with flashes of tropical fruits & hints of cinnamon and spices. On the palate, Mijenta Blanco is complex & aromatic, with flavors of honey, vanilla, caramel, fresh fruit & spices.
Reposado — The Reposado is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or as a nightcap cocktail, such as an Old Fashioned. It pairs well with dry fruit, soft cheeses, game meat, as well as flavorful Asian dishes. For dessert, Reposado is best savored with vanilla flavors, coconut and semi-bitter chocolate.
ELISE SOM
Elise is a sustainable designer and environmental consultant who pursued her masters in sustainability from Harvard University and Parsons, the New School of Design. Elise’s work is deeply rooted in nature, culture, and traditions. Originally a trained interior architect, Elise ran the interior department for Sir David Adjaye’s before starting her design company. She opened Elise Som Design Studio in 2012 in New York City but moved back to London to pursue broader sustainable designs such as furniture and products. Elise strongly believes that Mother Nature is the best designer and therefore encourage that we follow its guideline as we create our special liquid. Elise considers that sustainability and transparency are the new normal to millennial consumers and her Motto is to say that “true luxury is to design with a responsible heart.”
The post What Makes a Spirit Eco-Friendly with Sustainability Designer Elise Som appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
