The Tahona Wheel | Hudson Valley Restaurant

The tahona wheel is a traditional tool used in the production of mezcal, a type of distilled beverage made from the agave plant in Mexico. The tahona wheel is used to crush the agave plant and extract its juice, which is then fermented and distilled to create the final product.

Traditionally, a horse was used to pull the tahona wheel because it provided a reliable and strong source of power. The tahona wheel is typically made of stone and can be quite heavy, so a horse was able to provide the necessary strength to turn the wheel and crush the agave.

In modern times, the tahona wheel is often replaced by more efficient and mechanized methods of extracting agave juice. However, some mezcal producers still use the traditional tahona wheel, often as a way to preserve the authenticity and craftsmanship of their product. In these cases, a horse may still be used to turn the wheel, although other methods of power may also be used.