Mezcal from San Carlos, Tamaulipas: preserving ancestral knowledge throughout its value chain

Abstract

The present study examines the artisanal production of mezcal in San Carlos, Tamaulipas, Mexico, with a focus on how the value chain of traditional production contributes to the preservation of ancestral knowledge. The research analyzes the practices, techniques, and expertise transmitted across generations in the elaboration of this beverage. A qualitative methodology was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews with master mezcal producers and participant observation within the production process. The findings reveal that each stage of the chain, from agave cultivation to distribution, integrates cultural elements and traditional knowledge that are at risk of being lost due to the modernization and standardization of the industry. By characterizing the value chain of artisanal mezcal production in San Carlos, Tamaulipas, the study demonstrates that it represents not only an economic process but also a mechanism of cultural resistance that sustains local identity and safeguards the region’s intangible heritage.