Tequila is a distilled spirit that is produced only in Mexico, and only then in the region of Tequila. Juice from the heart of the agave plant is fermented and distilled twice to make tequila. The production of Tequila has to be in compliance with stringent regulations put forth by the Mexican government.

To make tequila, you need to start with ripe blue agave plants, which that take eight to ten years to mature. When the plants have reached their peak ripeness, the leaves are stripped off and only the core or “piña” is used in the making of tequila. These cores can weigh from 40 to 80 lbs, and some can weigh even more. The piñas are then taken to the distillery where they are cut up for roasting. The piñas are roasted in special furnaces, and the starches in the cores turn to sugar. Each piña makes approximately 8 bottles of tequila. After baking, the piñas are shredded and put through a press. The press squeezes the juice from the shredded piña pulp. The juices are then pressed from the shredded pulp and placed in fermentation tanks.

Once the juices are in the fermentation tanks, yeast is added. Distillers have their own technique for the adding of the yeast. At this point, the yeast begins to act upon the sugars of the roasted pulp, turning it in to alcohol.

Juices now ferment for 30 to 48 hours. With no additional processing, the fermented piña juice has about a 6% alcohol content. The fermented juice is distilled two or even three times in either customary copper stills or more up to date still that are made of stainless steel. The first distillation is always a rough, low-grade distillate and the second or third run is used to purify and perfect the liquor. Ultimately, distillers want to create a product that captures the aroma of the agave and, at the same time, tastes as pure as possible. Alcohol content may be between 70 and 110 Proof.

This becomes your basic tequila blanco, or silver tequila. Oro, or gold, tequila requires 2 months aging in oak barrels. Reposado tequila – or “rested tequila”- must be aged for up to a year. Tequila añejo is premium tequila and needs to be aged in oak for at least one year. Many producers age añejo for many years. This is considered to be the best tequila available and will be very expensive.

*Per Mexican government guidelines, all tequilas are required to age for at least 14-21 days. To be called a “Tequila”, It must be made from 100 percent natural ingredients, and be at least 38% alcohol. Most importantly, it must be made from blue agave grown and harvested only in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit or Tamaulipas.

The use of water fountains can be traced back to the days of ancient Egypt, where diagrams of these manmade cascading springs were drawn upon the tomb walls of only the most prestigious Egyptians. These typically rectangular fish pond-masterpieces added both beauty and tranquility to even the harshest landscapes. Too bad they didn’t have the Internet to shop back then, as they could have truly impressed those visiting their enclosed courtyards, as well as be the envy of everyone on their block!

The World Wide Web has indeed made the world a much smaller place, especially when shopping for a specific item that reflects you, your home and your personality- like a water fountain!

First things first- where do you want to place your water fountain? Will it be a glorious outdoor masterpiece set in the landscape of your backyard for the entire word to see, or a glorious indoor masterpiece in your living room for only your closest friends to see? Shall it be a wall fountain, or will it be a freestanding type of design? Tabletop? Limiting your possibilities is only limiting yourself- a good online store will have both indoor and outdoor water fountains, while a great online store will also show you how to bring the outdoors in.

Next on our agenda is the type of finish you would like your fountain to have. From fiberglass to sandstone, from copper to wood, you’ve got some choices to make. Of course, a lot will weigh on where you plan on placing your fountain. Fiberglass is definitely a lighter material than sandstone, so it might be a better choice for indoors. Climate is a factor for outdoor fountains. You need a knowledgeable sales staff to help you choose the right finish for you.

Finally, let’s brush upon one of the most popular topics for interior and exterior landscape design: Feng Shui- the ancient art of the law and order of the universe. For over 6,000 years, the Chinese people believe that with the specific placement of items in and around your home, the balance of all good things in life will come. Water, or the “Shui” of Feng Shui, is necessary to all things to grow, but can also dowse the fire, or “Huo”, another key factor in this ancient art. Placement is very similar to the child’s game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. There are many online stores that offer placement and style suggestions to “Feng Shui your life.”

So be sure to find an online store that wants to help you create your ideal setting the right way, and wants to keep you as a customer for life.