In Mexican Spanish, there are terms that are uniquely understood by Mexicans. Two such words frequently arise in conversations: agave and maguey. Some Mexicans use these terms interchangeably, while others differentiate between them. In this blog post, as the year comes to an end, we will explore the differences, if any, between agave and maguey. Bblue agave plant. Understanding Botanical Distinctions Maguey is part of the Asparagaceae family and belongs to the agave genus.