Filed Under: Cocktail Recipes, Tequila Recipes Tagged With: Tequila, Worm. And, that tradition is not a tradition at all. Is the worm still alive? True imbibers of the alcohol can attest to the fact that worms are only found in tequila's lower-class sister, which is known as mescal . A collaboration between Monte Alban Mezcal and WormTa tequila. Its great to think that these worms add flavour, or that eating the worm is an ancient Mexican tradition or it was a way to prove that the ABV was high enough to pickle the poor critter or even that they will make you hallucinate! Click to enlarge. Because of the amount of tequila or melague that is consumed, the drinks flavor is influenced by how much people drink. A worm will not appear in a tequila bottle as a result of this. In fact, if it wasnt for drowning in booze then that little worm would turn into a beautiful butterfly (or moth rather), as its not a worm at all. But another drink is made with tequila the worm cocktail. This site is dedicated to our earthworm (and other worm) friends and covers everything from what they eat, how to farm them, how to compost with them and everything in between. Does the maguey worm larvae outside of the tequila bottle have any health benefits? There are many myths and local legends about the possible effects of oil, but they are not When you eat a mezcal worm, it is a placebo effect. While drinking too much Tequila might seem to cause hallucinations to some people, alcohol is the sole intoxicant in Tequila. Fortunately, we have other options for your enjoymenttry our recipe that includes chicken. Drinks containing tequila worms can be found in mezcal bottles. As a result, tequila is a type of mezcal, whereas mezcal is not tequila, but only mezcal has worms. The flavor of the spirit was enhanced by a larvae discovered in a batch of Mexican Mezcal in the 1950s, according to a manufacturer. Agave must account for at least 51% of the tequila, whereas mezcas must account for 100%. That is not the case, and there is no worm in tequila. Regional lore maintains that the dying serpent releases a cocktail of medicinal chemicals upon its expiration, supplementing the strength and charm of the liquor. Pale egg yolks and poor egg production are symptoms that should prompt you to investigate. Although The Worm is commonly thought of as being in Tequila here in the states, in Mexico its traditionally found in Mezcal. What happens if you eat a worm in a plum? (Chickens and Other Bird Species), How to Harvest Worm Castings (While Separating Worms and Cocoons), How Long Can a Dog Live with Heartworms Untreated? No doubt, it was good marketing since we all know about , Currently, the Mexican Standards Authority prohibits adding gusanos (worms) to commercial bottles. Some believe that when the worm is ingested, it can cause hallucinations. Meanwhile, it has been reported that tequilas official quality control authority, Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (Mexican Standards authority), does not allow the use of insects or larvae. There may be some health benefits as well as risks associated with it. #player63ffa7296ce67.h5vp_player { width: ; border-radius: 30px; overflow: hidden; }#player63ffa7298ac6a.h5vp_player { width: ; border-radius: 30px; overflow: hidden; }, Jackson was a world traveler and considered herself open to any adventure. Despite the worms prevalence among mezcal brands, the larvae are not necessary. ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; It's best to leave this dare to the professionals. Today, Jose Cuervo owns both the brand and the historic distillery. In fact, Mezcal with the worm in it is considered a sign of poor quality mezcal. Currently, the Mexican Standards Authority prohibits adding gusanos (worms) to commercial bottles It has been discovered that drinking tequila worms has no side effects. That is correct! It turns out that, as most people already know, that worm in the bottom of the Mexican spirit is a Mezcal. You wont get drunk if you drink too much mezcal because the water is soaked and pickled in the spirit. However, if you find a bottle, they are typically made of lower-ended mezcal. Origins to why its there in the first place are pretty murky but there are two stories that make sense. One common question is whether or not the worm in tequila can get you drunk. As well as other substances the person is mixing into their night besides drink which could be responsible for these effects, such as cocaine, ecstasy or LSD. If you want to do it, go for it. What Happens If You Eat A Tequila Worm? Finally, as long as were busting myths, heres another one: Does eating the worm cause hallucinations? I also wanted to educate and inspire others to cook Mexican food at home. There is no evidence that the worm contributes to the taste of mezcal. The worms were added to make the people believe that mezcal is a superior drink. To make it right, the larvae of a moth is found in the Agave plant. When the plant is harvested, the caterpillars are sometimes found in the stems. Well, not exactly. And no, it wont make you hallucinate. That little worm inside your bottle of tequila is not alive. Some people believe that eating the worm will make them feel more intoxicated. Agave plants produce tequila, which is a distilled alcoholic beverage. One thing they all have in common is that it was purely a marketing ploy. Greengos Cantina' website is all about Mexican cuisine. In order to tell them apart they would pluck the dead worm from the agave plant and place it in the mezcal bottles. Several companies followed suit as a result of its popularity. Some of us have never even seen one other than in movies. Feel free to gulp down that worm to your hearts content. In most cases, the worm dies after a few days and the symptoms disappear. It is said that the Chinicuil Gusano worm, which is used in the production of Mezcal, provides the drink with its distinct flavor. Our mission is to help you love worms as much as we do! The worm is added to the bottle for both flavor and tradition. The tequila worm, or mezcal worm, is a caterpillar that often infests the agave plant from which tequila is made. The worm we're all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequila's huskier, smokier cousin (tequila has to be at least 51% Blue Agave, but mezcal can be made from any variety of . The worm, which is actually a larva, is a popular dare among drinkers of the Mexican spirit, but few know what actually happens when they take the challenge. Jackson, Jackson, Jackson, they chanted as she looked at the Chinicuil worm. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; Even if the worms are soaked in alcohol, it is not enough to make you intoxicated. If youve ever wondered what happens when you eat the worm in tequila, youre not alone. LEARN MORE: What Happens If You Have A Whole Bottle Of Tequila?, What Are The Health Benefits Of One Shot Of Tequila A Day? Contrary to popular belief, the worm does not cause you to hallucinate. Tequila is distilled from sugars of the agave plant. According to research, the main purpose of tequila worms was for a marketing strategy. When tequila is produced, agave plants are fermented and distilled to create the clear liquor. Scroll down to find out what we have discovered. Why is it there? The worm, like the tequila, is in a glass of mezcal, a smokier cousin of the tequila. Unless you are a Worm fan, I recommend avoiding it. A worm can still be found in the bottom of a bottle of mezcal, and it is not impossible. Nacional Vinicola was the first company to use creepy-crawlers on bottles, as early as 1940s. The shots you take to build yourself up to eating it however, might just do the job. Etc. There have been no documented adverse effects associated with ingesting a Tequila worm. This unusual drink contains a live worm that is meant to be eaten. I come from a family of passionate cooks, and I learned early on that cooking is a great way to show your love for others. Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. ), Are Trolli Gummy Worms Gluten Free? There is no worm in this bottle of tequila. Agave is the plant in which tequila and mlange are made. In the 1940s, Nacional Vinicola was the first to use creepycrawlers in bottles. When mezcals started in America, distilleries had already established tequila production, and mezcals were seen as a lower agave spirit. You have a choice of how you want to consume that worm. However if you decide to chomp on it as if youre in a bush tucker trial then you are probably going to taste it. According to Culture Map, the bottle was created by Tequila Ley . The drug has been linked to aphrodisiacs and hallucinogenic effects, and it can make you feel drunk. I dont usually recommend Mezcals with worms in as it is all abit gimmicky, there are much better mezcals out there without the worm, Like Momento Verde, not to mention Ilegal Mezcal Anejo and Bozal Ensamble. So then what does eating a worm do? It's called a gusano in Mexico. What does eating the worm in tequila do? There is no such thing as a tequila worm, no worms are in spirits and especially not in tequila. Contrary to popular belief, the worm in mezcal isnt a worm at all, its actually a larva. But there are many popular beliefs regarding its benefits and side effects. Cookies are small files that we store and/or retrieve across our devices. We do not sell your personal information. And, that tradition is not a tradition at all. It has notes of chocolate and vanilla, light spice, and sweetness with a minimal burn. Sal de Gusano, or Worm Salt, is a traditional Pre-Hispanic salt. I have heard anecdotes that in the case of snakes and scorpions that historically (100 plus years ago) they were sometimes thought to be included as a sort of va. These larvae were simply name tags for tequila, which is supposed to have a different flavor and even has magical properties. Despite this, there are numerous types of gusano de maguey (Agave Worms), but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. Technically, no, there arent worms at the bottom of most tequila bottles. More I love to recommend are at the end of my Mezcal article. Are tequila worms healthy? People worldwide consider insects as food. Yes, tequila worms inside the bottle of mezcal are edible. The worm is actually a caterpillar that lives on the agave plant. Some great Mezcals are made with the worm in the bottle, but most aren't. And, no, the worm doesn't have any hallucinogenic effects. Many people enjoy eating worms because they are both delicious and have a distinct flavor. The answer is yes, you can eat the tequila worm, but it is not recommended. As a result of these technologies, we and our partners can process non-sensitive data such as IP addresses, unique IDs, and browser information. Some people claim it tastes like chicken, but when we tried eating the worm, it had a flavor similar to almonds. There are two types of gusano. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but thats another matter. Please include where you are located, and a picture if you can! What does it do? Because tequila and mez cal are made from the Agave plant, they are both made from one of 250 types of cacti. Mezcal bottles containing tequila worms are available for purchase. Should you eat the worm at the bottom of the bottle? For this reason we have put together this resource here. Sales of tequila skyrocketed in the 1950s as people began to believe it to be a hallucinogen. All three of those are the Mezcals I love to drink and will always recommend. There is a worm in the tequila plant (which is used to make tequila and mezcal). ins.style.width = '100%'; But there are many popular beliefs regarding its benefits and side effects. There are two versions of this, the first as a marketing trick and the second as a relic of a previous strategy for grouping different bottles. Worms are actually pretty tough little creatures although theyre edible, youll feel every bite and the thought of it will make some feel nauseous. Oddly enough, there are many kinds of gusano de maguey (Agave Worms), but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. This was my first experience with a steaming cup of soup. There are many theories as to why there is a scorpion in tequila. If I were to place a bet on which story is true, Id go for the fact its nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Red Wine Vinegar: A Versatile Ingredient For Your Kitchen, How To Clean A Red Wine Spill From A Quartz Countertop. If you have eaten the insect and hallucinated, the credit goes to the amount of mezcals you consumed. And was most likely just a way to make people buy more Mezcal. Do Worms Eat Watermelon Rinds and Flesh? The worm does not contain any alcohol and will not make you drunk. The credit here goes to the amount of Tequila or Mezcal a person consumes. The exclusive 13-year-aged aejo tequila is Cdigo 1530s first offering to be aged in a Cognac cask. One is the larva of the beetle Scyphophorus acupunctatus, which is what the red larva is and the other is larva . Those were the days. Theyre included on menus in many fine Mexican restaurants. What is a tequila worm? Eating the worm found at the bottom of the bottle of mezcal or tequila will not have any hallucinogen effect despite the stories you may have heard from the local mezcal drinker. Jacobo Lozano Pez, a distiller in the 1940s, says it changes the flavor of the booze; Both tequila and mezcal can be made in agave, but, There are different theories on why gusano is placed inside the, https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/differences-between-tequila-mezcal, https://bioone.org/journals/florida-entomologist/volume-102/issue-1/024.102.0101/Scyphophorus-acupunctatus-ColeopteraDryophthoridaeA-Weevil-Threatening-the/10.1653/024.102.0101.full, 100% blue agave plant is used for the tequila, 10 Best Places To Stay For Bourbon Trail Listed (2023), Is Mezcal Stronger Than Tequila? However, if you really want to try it out as it is an experience to drink and eat the worm. Its the larvae of a moth. For an extra $5, her tequila shot could include the Worm. AKA: El Maguey.. Allow yourself to have a good time consuming that worm. Many health benefits are thought to be found when you eat the worm in tequila. Then they throw dirt in your face. Another common misconception is that. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The worst parasitic worms are usually found in warm tropical or subtropical parts of the world, but some worms are common in other places, too. It is said that the worm in tequila can give you lucky charms as a result of its altering taste. In extreme cases, it can even lead to death. For this reason, the amount of tequila or Mezcal consumed by a person is given credit. Anyone can get worms. However, drinking any alcohol can increase the risk of developing a number of health conditions. Tequila is a type of mezcal and a more well-known drink outside of Mexico, which is why referring to it as the tequila worm became standard. Is it alive? Larvae from maguey worms are used in tequila and mezcal because they are actually a natural byproduct of mezcal production, and theyre believed to be necessary for the flavor profile by the mezcal maker. 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