Embracing Ancient Mexican Wisdom in an Unassuming Pulquería

What is Pulque?

Pulque is a thicc, fermented milky drink as a result of fermenting Aguamiel (honey water), a luscious syrup extracted from a variety of Agave plants. However, while many Agave species can yield this prized nectar, the Maguey Manso (Agave Mapisaga var. Lisa), more commonly known as the Agave Pulquero, is highly favored for its superior Aguamiel.

The extraction of Aguamiel from the Agave Pulquero involves experienced craftsmanship and skill taking two days to complete, ensuring the highest quality for Pulque fermentation. Enriched with abundant probiotics, pulque is a remarkable fermented drink that not only captivates the taste buds but also offers a sensory elevation akin to Mezcal. Holding a significant place on the table of traditional Mexican beverages.

Pulque Alcohol Content

Pulque ranges between 4% to 7% of alcohol volume, offering a gentle intoxicating effect, allowing to savor its flavors without being overwhelming. Making Pulque an ideal choice for those seeking a nuanced drinking experience that awakens the senses without compromising clarity of thought. And next to its modest alcohol content, Pulque charms connoisseurs with an impressive array of probiotics. These beneficial microorganisms contribute to a healthy gut flora, promoting digestion and overall well-being.

Pulque Mexicano: Captivating the Hearts of Those Who Encounter It

Tracing its ancestral origins back over 2,000 years, Pulque stands as a testament to Mexico's rich cultural heritage and a vibrant symbol of the country's deep-rooted traditions. Crafted through a natural fermentation process, Pulque emerged as a remarkable fusion of art and science, a drink that harmonizes the ancient with the contemporary.

In ancient times, Pulque was revered as a sacred offering, believed to have been a divine elixir bestowed upon humanity by the sky people. Ancient civilizations saw intoxication as a transcendent state, connecting mortals with the realm of the divine. Serving as a medium for spiritual communion, facilitating a profound union with the cosmos. This profound reverence for Pulque as a conduit to the divine still lingers today, infusing the drink with a sense of mystique and reverence.

"Our universe will cease to exist without life. Everything in our current existence and all that ever was, has a purpose to exist."

— Tatiana, Owner of La Pulquería in Puerto Vallarta

The Art of Self-Discovery in La Pulquería of Puerto Vallarta

After photographing a destination wedding in Guadalajara in the summer of 2017, I treated myself to a visit to Puerto Vallarta a couple of days later. It was my first time visiting both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, so I thought, "When in Rome, right?" As the taxi drove around in circles trying to find my hotel, I spotted La Pulquería. And up until that point, I had never tried Pulque because my Mom even to this day, says Pulque is for 'nacos' (backwoods redneck hillbillies), thanks in part to movies from the early 80s like La Pulquería. Plus I didn’t know anyone in L.A. who sold it let alone knew about it.

After a much-needed cold shower and a very long nap, I found myself walking a few blocks to La Pulquería. Little did I know how my perception and outlook on life would change over the next couple of days with a few pints of pulque.

La Pulquería PV, nestled in the colonial streets between Centro and Zona Romántica in downtown Puerto Vallarta, symbolizes the journey of returning to our ancestral roots with Pulque, a fermented beverage with a history spanning well over 2,000 years. Tatiana, the owner of La Pulquería PV, believes Pulque came into existence to bring the ancient peoples closer to the universe and that we as modern man, must return to the philosophies of both respecting and consuming what nature provides. "Through the act of drinking Pulque, we honor the timeless bond with our Mother Earth, embracing simplicity and self-discovery," she tells me as she hands me a second pint of Pulque.

Tatiana designed La Pulquería for those in search for their inner self, for those in need of simplicity and for those in a stage of self-discovery of what’s important in life. As you walk into La Pulquería, you notice a large central table taking most of the space. Here, as Tatiana designed it, is where you share with others in your search, whether your come alone or with friends.

She explains how in an age of digital screens and hyper connectivity, people seldom keep eye contact for more than a minute, let alone making eye contact with each other. It’s why she designed La Pulquería as an open space, to make eye contact with those who venture in while enjoying an ice cold Pulque served in a handmade clay tumbler.

Oaxaca’s Mezcal Culture in Puerto Vallarta

During our multi day and very long conversations over Pulque, Tatiana conveyed the idea that I’m incompatible with most commercial high alcohol spirits because like myself, a fire rabbit, spirits also represent the fire element. And those who descend from the fire element tend to be very passionate in nature with a strong kindle of both fire and light within them and because of this, seldom need outside influences to stimulate the senses.

"When fire and fire clash, it’s a recipe for disaster" she goes on while offering me a shot of Racilla (a local Mezcal). She continues, "those of the fire element like yourself, should gravitate towards alcoholic beverages represented by the earth and water elements. In other words, Mezcal, Pulque, Tuba, Tejuíno, Tepache, Aguardiente and Raicilla." Intrigued by her words, I took a sip of Mezcal, a spirit deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of Oaxaca. The herbaceous aroma and complex flavors danced on my palate, evoking a sense of connection to the ancient traditions and the rich heritage of Mexico. Mezcal, like Pulque, serves as a bridge to the elemental forces that shape our existence.

At that moment, I couldn't help but contemplate the profound significance of embracing the elements that resonate with our core being and how ancient fermented Mexican beverages and spirits offer a path of self-discovery and a deeper understanding of our place within the intricate tapestry of life. In Puerto Vallarta, where the vibrant pulse of Oaxaca's Mezcal culture thrives, I found solace in the embrace of Pulque. Because as I learned when fire and fire clash, it can be a recipe for disaster. But when fire harmonizes with the earth and water, the result is a symphony of flavors, gentle whispers, and a deep connection to the essence of our existence.

New Pulquerías in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta

La Pulquería PV unfortunately closed in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of ancient wisdom and a longing for a return to Mother Earth. However, a handful of Pulquerías have taken up the torch. Most notably, Chinga Quedito in the heart of Zona Romántica, as well as Mexica, La Última Lucha, La Chukirruki, and La Mestiza back in Guadalajara. Coincidentally, finding myself in one or the other every night for three weeks before and after photographing a destination wedding in 2022. With several Pulquerías opening in and around Guadalajara, thanks to Pulque’s small but loyal cult following over the past few years, I’m looking forward to my next visit for a proper review of each Pulquería.