What is the name of the central core of the agave plant?

The central core of the agave plant is known as the piña. This term specifically refers to the heart of the agave, from which mezcal and tequila are produced. When the agave plant is harvested, the leaves are removed, leaving behind the piña, which is then cooked, fermented, and distilled to produce spirit.

Understanding the structure of the agave plant is crucial for grasping how tequila and mezcal are made, as the piña is where the sugars necessary for fermentation are concentrated. In contrast to the other options, which refer to different parts of the plant (the leaves are the outer parts that are trimmed away, the flower is the reproductive structure that forms after the plant matures, and the stem is not typically a term used in the context of agave processing), the piña is the only part used in the production of these spirits.