agave

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In Parched California, This Plant Offers Hope

More people are growing drought-resistant agave for use in alcoholic drinks

(Newser) - Leo Ortega started growing spiky blue agave plants on the arid hillsides around his Southern California home because his wife liked the way they looked. A decade later, his property is now dotted with thousands of what he and others hope is a promising new crop for the state following...

New Anti-Obesity Weapon: Tequila?
 New Anti-Obesity 
 Weapon: Tequila Plant? 
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New Anti-Obesity Weapon: Tequila Plant?

Agave sugar eyed as potential sweetener

(Newser) - The plant tequila is derived from could play a role in fighting obesity, and it doesn't involve getting people so drunk they forget to eat, researchers say. Natural sugars found in agave appear to protect mice against obesity and type 2 diabetes, Fox News reports. The sugars, known as...

My Car Runs on ... Cuervo?
My Car Runs on ... Cuervo?

My Car Runs on ... Cuervo?

Mexican scientists push agave-to-ethanol project; resilient plant could far outstrip corn

(Newser) - A small group of Mexican scientists is working to create a massive agave-to-ethanol project that one says could supply the entire US need of 36 billion gallons by 2022, Renewable Energy World reports. The agave, used to make tequila and mescal, is high in sugar, resilient, and needs little cultivation,...

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