Also called “maguey,” agave refers to a family of succulents that are not, surprisingly, related to any cactus. The plants grow in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Agave has a sweet, mild flavor when cooked. There are more than 300 agave species; an agave plant takes eight to twelve years to mature. The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila; other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque.