Business

Understanding The Basics of Tequila

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2023

The world of tequila contains more than a few surprises. Luckily, there are no better guides than Alec and Ana Tesa, founders of award-winning distillery Eleven20 Tequila.

“The first thing to understand is that there are a lot of fakes out there,” says Alec Tesa. Given the Tesas’ passion for traditional distilling techniques and Mexican culture, they’re the perfect people to explain the fundamentals of this amazing beverage, from what constitutes true tequila to identifying superior varieties and finding the best one for you.

Not all tequila is real

For a beverage to count as true tequila, it needs to meet certain criteria. “Most importantly, it must be made from blue agave in certain places, such as Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Michoacan,” Alec says. “That’s why we craft our artisanal tequila in the heart of tequila country.”

“While you might be able to buy spirits distilled from alternative kinds of agave in California or other places, these beverages taste different,” Ana Tesa adds. They also can’t be called tequila, which by definition must come from blue agave in Mexico.

“Terroir is important, just like with wine,” Alec explains. “Champagne only comes from Champagne, which is near Paris, and Bordeaux only comes from Bordeaux in the southwest of France. There’s something unique and magical about these places that lead to a truly special drink. It has to do with the soil, the latitude, the altitude — everything in the environment comes together perfectly to make lovely elixirs that are exclusive to those particular places.”

“The distillation of tequila from true Mexican blue agave is a beautiful and historic cultural tradition that can’t be replicated elsewhere,” Ana continues. “Keep in mind this knowledge has been handed down through generations. Proper tequila is made in Mexico by Mexicans, using methods they have refined for thousands of years.”

Unfortunately, illicit producers of fake tequila continue to try to fool consumers and often to great lengths to hide the provenance of their products, even reusing bottles from legitimate tequila distilleries to masquerade as the real thing. In addition to scamming people with lesser quality beverages, sometimes they also bottle their products with toxic substances that can have dangerous effects on those who drink them.

How to identify real tequila

To spot true tequila, the Tesas recommend reading labels carefully. “It might seem obvious, but the first rule to follow is to look for the word tequila specifically,” Alec remarks. “Not agave liqueur, not agave eau de vie, and not agave distillates — none of those are the real thing. Also, remember that mezcal is different from tequila as well, since it can be made from other agaves, not pure blue agave like tequila.”

“The bottle should be in pristine condition,” Ana says. “If it looks like someone might have taken the lid off and refilled it, then keep in mind that dubious beverage companies actually do that, so that might be what you’re actually looking at.”

“Don’t buy anything that doesn’t have a label,” Alec adds. “You really shouldn’t even accept a drink for free from a bottle like that!”

The Tesas also recommend purchasing tequila only from established, reputable retailers. “Avoid dodgy situations,” Ana continues. “Don’t try to buy it off the street or at a flea market. It might look like a good deal, but you’re really just getting ripped off.”

According to the Tesas, an even better way to verify authenticity is to look the beverage company up on the official list of producers, which the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) makes available online. “If the company isn’t listed, it’s not what you want,” Alec says.

Even among real tequilas, a range of different qualities is available.

Identifying the best tequila

“The best tequila is made entirely from blue agave,” Alec says, “so look for ‘100 percent’ on the label.”

“You should also look for brands that don’t have any additives,” Ana adds. “The best tequila is pure. Similarly, if a label says ‘Mixto,’ that means it’s tequila mixed with up to 49 percent other things. For some brands, that means nearly half the drink is sugar.”

Ultimately, what makes a great tequila is its great taste. “Fancy packaging might look impressive, but you can’t drink it,” Alec says. “What’s more important is what that spirit tastes like neat.”

Tequila can also be aged in barrels for different periods of time, which changes the drink’s flavor profile. The youngest variety is called blanco, which goes straight to store shelves after bottling. Reposado comes next, having been aged for two months up to a year, while Añejo is the oldest, aged for one to three years.

“While many people favor aged tequilas, you’ll need to taste the different options yourself to see what you prefer,” Ana says. “Blanco tends to be flashier, which lots of people like best. Whiskey drinkers tend to prefer the older versions, which can take on hints of spices or vanilla from the barrels.”

Experience a Mexican tradition

Finally, the Tesas recommend buying tequila from producers that use traditional Mexican production techniques like Eleven20. “The best experience is an authentic one,” Alec says. “These processes might be slower, but the taste is more than worth the effort.”

For a true Mexican experience, make sure you turn to true Mexican tequila like Eleven20.

Business

Remote Professionals Getting More Value for Their Work Thanks to Borderless Banking

Published

9 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Not too long ago, the idea of working remotely from an island in Thailand or a co-working space in Berlin sounded like the kind of fantasy only tech moguls or backpacking freelancers could afford.

Fast forward to today, and it’s as good as a global reality. Millions of professionals have cut the cord from traditional office life in exchange for flexibility, freedom, and a work-life balance that fits their personal rhythm and not their employer’s timezone.

However, as remote work has reshaped how people earn a living, it’s also pointed out the existing limits to most of the world’s financial systems. Traditional banking simply wasn’t built for a workforce that’s always on the move, operating in multiple currencies, and getting paid across borders.

Thankfully, that’s where borderless banking like Black Banx have proven vital, and has quietly transformed the way money is managed for people vacationing and working overseas alike.

The Rise of the Remote Work Economy

Remote work isn’t just a pandemic-era trend that faded with Zoom fatigue—it’s become a defining feature of the modern workforce. A recent survey revealed that over 39% of Gen Z and Millennials planned to live and work abroad for extended periods this year, many staying six months or more in a single location. That’s beyond a short trip, and can be considered as good as a sabbatical with a substantial lifestyle shift.

According to recent estimates, the digital nomad economy now also contributes as much as US$787 billion annually to the global economy. And this isn’t just entry-level gig work. A third of digital nomads earn between US$100,000 and US$250,000, while another third take in US$50,000 to US$100,000 annually.

It is indeed evident that the manner in which many make a living has changed. Unfortunately, most financial systems haven’t kept up.

Where Traditional Banks Are Still Falling Short

For those who have ever tried to open a bank account abroad or receive payment from a foreign client, they already know the drill: the paperwork is endless, delays are frustrating, and the fees? So much to do, even for the smallest amounts of money.

Just to name few of the hurdles remote workers still face with conventional banking:

Account setup restrictions: Need proof of residence, tax IDs, or a local job offer—things many digital nomads simply don’t have.
Slow international transfers: Payments can take days to process, which is a nightmare when rent’s due.
High foreign exchange fees: Currency conversions often come with steep, hidden costs.
Limited multi-currency support: Most banks still force users to operate in a single currency, making financial planning chaotic at best.

And perhaps most tellingly, many banks have digitized their operations but haven’t personalized their services. According to Accenture’s 2025 Banking Trends Report, while digital transformation has improved efficiency, it often sacrifices the customer experience. That’s not great news for people who live outside the lines.

Borderless Banking for Professionals Across the Globe

The concept of borderless banking goes far beyond wiring money internationally. Fundamentally, it’s also about being able to eliminate the friction between people and their money, no matter where they are in the world, and maintaining an ecosystem where geography, bureaucracy, and currency don’t stand in the way of financial freedom.

A working example of this is Black Banx, a Toronto-based fintech founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer. Since launching globally in 2015, it has grown to serve over 78 million clients in 180+ countries as of Q1 2025, proof that people take to digital banking solutions when it is accessible, affordable, and is useful in just about any locale.

In the first three months of this year, Black Banx had also earned US$4.3 billion in revenue and US$1.6 billion in pre-tax profit, more than double from the same quarter the previous year and showing it has consistently delivered tangible value to global customers—remote professionals included

How Borderless Banking Maximizes Value for Remote Workers

1. Instant Account Access—No Strings Attached

The times of hunting down local branches or collecting endless documents just to open an account are finished. With borderless banks, users can open an account in minutes using just a photo ID—no proof of address or income required. That’s a lifesaver for anyone living outside their passport country or hopping from one location to another.

2. Multi-Currency Mastery

Managing money in multiple currencies used to mean juggling several accounts—or worse, losing money on conversions. Borderless platforms like Black Banx support 28 FIAT currencies and allow real-time currency conversions at competitive rates. That means remote workers can:

Invoice clients in one currency
Spend or save in another
Hedge against local currency fluctuations
Avoid excessive conversion fees altogether

3. Seamless, Real-Time Global Payments

Getting paid late, or paying others late, isn’t just inconvenient; it can damage relationships and disrupt your cash flow. With real-time payment support, remote workers can receive funds instantly, no matter where their clients are. This is particularly valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs juggling multiple contracts across time zones.

Plus, bulk payment features and API integration streamline processes for those running teams or businesses.

4. Built-In Crypto Options

It isn’t surprising that many digital nomads are already deep into crypto. Whether it’s for investment, faster transactions, or avoiding traditional finance red tape, crypto is becoming essential.

Since 2016, Black Banx has allowed users to send, receive, and convert crypto (like BTC and ETH) within their accounts. That integration saves users from having to manage separate crypto wallets, and adds another layer of flexibility to their financial toolkit.

5. Secure Transactions

Remote workers often log in to work from cafés, coworking spaces, and airports, to name a few. Of course, this flexibility of being able to work almost anywhere should never come at the cost of security. Borderless banks like Black Banx use end-to-end encryption, AI fraud detection, and two-factor authentication to keep accounts safe from risky elements.

Financial Freedom, Not Just Convenience

Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of borderless banking is the freedom it provides. Not just to access money, but to fully participate in the global economy. For millions of professionals in underbanked regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, borderless banking has become a gateway to financial inclusion and a way to take on opportunities that typically wouldn’t be available to them if not remote.

By removing barriers to entry, platforms like Black Banx empower underserved individuals to both take control of their finances and increase their earning power by working with companies from higher paying markets. This democratization of finance isn’t just good for individuals, it’s good for the global economy as a whole.

As Black Banx CEO Michael Gastauer put it: “Our multi-currency solutions enable businesses to tap into global talent without worrying about payment complexities. We make cross-border transactions as seamless as local ones.”

The Road Ahead

By 2030, the number of digital nomads worldwide is expected to soar past 60 million, according to the Forbes Technology Council. That means tens of millions of workers will be navigating foreign currencies, time zones, and financial systems—all while expecting the same seamless experience they’d get at home.

Indeed, remote professionals aren’t just looking for places to work—they’re looking for systems that work for them. In a lifestyle built on flexibility, traditional banking is proving too rigid, too slow, and too expensive.

Borderless banking services like those offered by the likes of Black Banx, on the other hand, offer exactly what today’s global workforce needs: instant access, multi-currency support, real-time payments, crypto integration, and enterprise-level security—all in a streamlined experience.