N.Y. Company Launches Kosher Tequila

March 30, 2009

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March 30, 2009

Star Industries of New York is producing a half million cases of its Agave 99 at a plant in Mexico, using methods certified by a rabbi. That's so Orthodox Jews can enjoy the popular Mexican drink. And they won't have to wait until the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo. The company says the 99-proof kosher tequila should be out in time for the Jewish holiday of Passover.

STEVE INSKEEP, host:

Okay, no matter how bad the economy gets, somebody, somewhere is cooking up a new product. American ingenuity. And that brings us to our last word in business today: kosher tequila. Star Industries, on Long Island, is producing a half-million cases of its 99-proof Agave-99 at a plant in Mexico, using methods certified by a rabbi. That's so that Orthodox Jews can drink the popular Mexican drink if they wish, and they will not have to wait until the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo because the company says Agave-99 should be out in time for the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates Jews' exodus from Egypt. A month earlier than Cinco de Mayo but who knows, some families may want to incorporate tequila into the Passover tradition. That's the business news on MORNING EDITION from NPR News, I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

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