If you are considering Tequila as a drink, first you will think of shots and margaritas. Some say it adds flavor and supposedly brings luck, too. People have described it as tasting like chicken after eating a mezcal worm. It has become more of a cool marketing ploy. They also have more protein than what is found in other types of worms, so if youve just had a workout, it may be worth getting that worm down your neck. It will release enzymes that will help to break down the tequila. That check out the below Mezcals. To better market his products, he began putting worms in all of his bottles. But another drink is made with tequila the worm cocktail. While some people think that eating the worm provides certain health benefits, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'onemartiniatatime_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-onemartiniatatime_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Many people think that the worm will make them feel less nauseous after drinking. Click to enlarge. The second comes from a suggested old strategy for telling different bottles apart. Despite the worms prevalence among mezcal brands, the larvae are not necessary. Then, use a fork to fish the worm out of the bottle and place it on the rim of the glass. (Safe to Use After Expiry? What type of worm even is it? The worm does not give you hallucinations, and it is not an aphrodisiac. You wont find a worm at the bottom of a tequila bottle if you dont drink it. Even today, with mezcal making a strong, high quality comeback in the spirits world, bottles complete with a worm (and a tiny packet of worm-flavored salt) are still out there. Despite mezcals resurgence in the spirits industry today, bottles that contain a worm (as well as a tiny packet of worm-flavored salt) are still available. I was born and raised in Mexico, and my passion for food began at a young age. You probably are most likely going to fool yourself into thinking it's true. Why is it there, and what happens when you EAT THE WORM? Another common misconception is that. Tequila is distilled from sugars of the agave plant. Anyone can get worms. Outside of the fact that its not really a worm what you might actually be eating is larva or grubs, but no, there is no risk to your health. They are more likely to eat only the leaves of Maguey. Both tequila and mezcal can be made in agave, but 100% blue agave plant is used for the tequila drink. Some people describe the taste of taco worms as chicken. What Can You Expect When You Eat The Worm? So, if you're considering eating the worm, you may want to think twice. The most common type youll find at the bottom of the tequila bottle are larvae from maguey worms, which grow to about one centimeter in length. The real story revolves around the marketing plan and the different identities of mezcals. El Recuerdo Mezcal is recommended at $38 per bottle because of its price. 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 . Despite the fact that tequila is technically mezcal, it cannot be made from blue Agave. (Chickens and Other Bird Species), How to Harvest Worm Castings (While Separating Worms and Cocoons), How Long Can a Dog Live with Heartworms Untreated? The worms were added to make the people believe that mezcal is a superior drink. What is a tequila worm? Its an easy way to make a basic meal taste exotic. Tequila brand Cdigo 1530 has released one of the rarest and most expensive Tequilas on the market, priced at US$3,300 a bottle. Yes, tequila worms inside the bottle of mezcal are edible. The owner of this mezcal business found that it actually tasted better with the worm in it. There is a worm in the tequila plant (which is used to make tequila and mezcal). Despite a prohibition by the Mexican Standards authority (which forbids the use of worm-infested bottles), the tequila market does not contain any worm today. If you do not, there are a plethora of truly delicious options. Some of the companies that may be holding or processing your personal information include Facebook, Hotjar, Mouseflow, and Reisenegger Getrnke GmbH. It may be that the shots you take to prepare for eating it will be enough. Because the worms are free of pesticides and other chemicals, there is no medical proof that they cause hallucinations. The reality of eating worms from tequila bottles is barely worth considering for these reasons: The only reason it is worth doing is for a bit of fun or to impress your friends with an act of machismo, or that special someone youve taken on a date though dont be surprised if it has the opposite effect in this scenario! The worm does not give you hallucinations, and it is not an aphrodisiac . In the 1950s, a Mexican mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of mezcal, which inspired a legend about a worm. Finally, as long as were debunking myths, consider the following: Does eating worms cause hallucinations? 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. Tequila worms are actually mezcal worms. But there are many popular beliefs regarding its benefits and side effects. Comadia redtenbacheri moths are a type of Cossidae moth in this family. As of today, there is no worm in the tequila bottle (Mexican Standards prohibits it). By 1977, the distilleries had stopped using worms in tequila. Its commonly sprinkled on an orange slice and served with Mezcal. Chapulines (spiced grasshoppers) are another common insect food. All rights reserved. Whats the tradition behind eating the mezcal worm? It uses the same Agave Worms but in both the white and red varieties. Although the worm can cause intoxication, this is because of the shot rather than the worms from the bottle. A few people have claimed that the mezcal worm tastes similar to chicken. An alcoholic drink in the same family, but slightly different to tequila, with smokier notes. But in none of these mezcals are you likely to find worms. The same is true of Tequila. Its the larvae of a moth. LEARN MORE: What Agave Is Used For Tequila? The worm found in tequila is the larva of a moth called Hypopta Agave. 5 Classic Tequila Cocktails You Should Know How To Make, Best Margarita Cocktail Recipe and History, Best Ever Fluffy Focaccia Recipe - With Rosemary, Olives and Coarse Sea Salt, 31 Items To Survive Any Emergency | Bug Out Bag / Survival Kit Preparation. Worms are a great source of protein, and they also contain other important nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. The answer is no, the worm in tequila cannot get you drunk. He started adding "worms" to all his bottles as a marketing strategy. Want to know more about Tequila worms and why are they used? One is the larva of the beetle Scyphophorus acupunctatus, which is what the red larva is and the other is larva of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri from the Cossidae family of moths, which is what the white larva and most popular used is. The worm is an insect that lives on the Agave plant and is a type of moth. In spite of the fact that it is commonly referred to as the tequila worm, the worm can only be discovered in the bottom of a bottle of mezcal, which is a type of tequila made by distilling blue agave and other related . What Happens If You Have A Whole Bottle Of Tequila? No, you do not chew the worm in mezcal. When he goes out to relax or celebrate some small wins, Pat never ceases to grab a bottle of Buffalo Trace. What are tequila worms and how do you eat them? Some people chew it like a gummy bear, while others claim its a delicacy. There may be some health benefits as well as risks associated with it. (Maguey is agave, the plant which tequila and Mezcal is made from). You wont get drunk if you drink too much mezcal because the water is soaked and pickled in the spirit. Many myths and local legends about the mezcal worms effects are exaggerated, but they do exist. In the film Poltergeist II, it played a silent role, assisting the plot in the development of a key possession. Both of which are picture above. Sal de Gusano Marron can be made using any variety of the Maguey Worm. Does the maguey worm larvae outside of the tequila bottle have any health benefits? Why Dont You Eat The Worm In Tequila. There are actually two types of larva that can be used. The worm does not produce hallucinogens or aphrodisiacs, nor does it produce mood-boosting effects. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but thats another matter. And while well give anyone credit who wants to try this challenge its not particularly tasty or worth it. Despite the purported benefits, many people are hesitant to accept worm salts true potential. When mezcals started in America, distilleries had already established tequila production, and mezcals were seen as a lower agave spirit. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the worm in question. They are then boiled and put into the tequila bottle as a decoration. Can she get up the gumption to eat a worm? When it comes to drinking, there are always questions about what is safe and what isnt. What happens when you eat the worm in tequila? Contrary to popular belief, the worm does not cause you to hallucinate. Yes, both tequila and mezcal are similar, so its easy to see how the mistake can be madebut there is no worm in tequila. The worm itself is actually a moth larvae called a gusano de magueysince it feeds off of the maguey plant. All larvae are completely eliminated from the good stuff, as in many things in life. Etc. Absinthe got a reputation for being hallucinogenic even though thats not exactly the case as I talk about in this article here: Absinthe guide part 3 - Hallucinating and how to serve. The lower-ended mezcal spirits contain worms, so you can still find them if youre looking for them. To eat a tequila worm, start by pouring a shot of tequila into a shot glass. The fun we had sneaking worms into shots of mezcal for one and other. Sal de Gusano, or Worm Salt, is a traditional Pre-Hispanic salt. However, there are some lower-ended mezcal spirits with worms that you can still find. In short, why is there a? Whiskey producers stopped putting worms in tequila in 1977. Another reason is, to use the worm as a Gimmick. There have been no documented adverse effects associated with ingesting a Tequila worm. Pat is our resident expert when it comes to bourbon and traveling. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Sal de Gusano is made using salt, maguey worms toasted and ground, and usually chile. Then, use a fork to fish the worm out of the bottle and place it on the rim of the glass. Alcohol is seized and returned to you upon your return from the cruise on the final night. 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! Despite this, there are numerous types of gusano de maguey (Agave Worms), but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. It has notes of chocolate and vanilla, light spice, and sweetness with a minimal burn. Chinicuil worms are more than gimmicks added to liquor. Related article: Tequila vs Mezcal - Whats the difference. Read my full guide on Mezcal here to see how its made and more about the spirit with the worm. 2023 Caniry - All Rights Reserved It's more of a gimmick than a tradition. As a result of our partners consent and legitimate interests, we share information about our customers with them. The gusanos de oro, or gold worms (also known as white worms) are the caterpillars of Aegiale hesperiaris. Others have argued that this tradition was created in order to increase sales in the 1940s. Monte Alban is a classic, it use to and sometimes still does come with a small bottle of extra worms. Other stories claim that it was originally simply an accident, But when mezcal and tequila producers saw the reaction it created, they realized that it could be of value in marketing. The Mexican drinking worm is a popular Mexican liquor made from the agave plant. The gusano de maguey, the larvae of the worm, is a moth. Once tequila was granted protected status in 1977 (on October 13, if youd care to celebrate), the worm system was rendered unnecessary. So then what does eating a worm do? if(ffid == 2){ They are pretty damn small and if you swallow it whole washing it down with mezcal then you shouldnt even feel it in your mouth. Tequila vs Mezcal - Whats the difference? The higher the percentage of blue agave, the finer the bottle. Eating maggots or maggot-infested food can cause bacterial poisoning. It has been discovered that drinking tequila worms has no side effects. } So, if youre considering eating the worm, you may want to think twice. In the 1950s, the use of this marketing ploy was used by Mexican Mezcal producers to market their product in the United States. Its the larvae of a moth. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. But the truth of the matter is that the mezcal worms only started appearing in commercial bottles sometime around the 1940s or 50s. Those were the days. HUZZAH! Eating it may be gross, especially if you are not into exotic foods but did you know that if you eat the worm, you are also partaking in a pre-Hispanic tradition? No, although it's soaked and pickled in mezcal, there isnt enough booze on the warm itself to get you drunk. Finally, as long as were busting myths, heres another one: Does eating the worm cause hallucinations? Why are people afraid of worms? So, when you eat the worm, you are partaking in tradition. It is not a traditional part of tequila production, and most high-quality brands do not include worms in their bottles. That's another common misconception. When staring unknowingly at a shelf of mezcal it can be difficult to choose one. Some bottles of La Penca contain two worms inside. That is not the case, and there is no worm in tequila. Some of us have never even seen one other than in movies. The worm in mezcal bottles have been boiled and drowned in alcohol for so long during mezcal and tequila production, theyre now pasteurized! It is not known whether or not drinking a tequila worm can cause any side effects. Even though the worm is closely associated with the agave plant, we can't really figure out when it started appearing in Mezcal bottles. The worms legend started in the 1950s, when a Mexican maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of mezcal. An unidentified Mexican mezcal maker discovered a moth larva in a batch of mezcal during the 1950s, and that was the start of the worm legend. There is not enough alcohol on the warm surface to make it drunk, despite the fact that it has been soaked and pickled in mezcal. Some people believe that eating the worm will make you drunker, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Now that youre fully up to date with that mezcal worm why not check out more agave spirit, tequila and mezcal articles here. There are no proven side effects associated with consuming the larvae, so you can be confident in consuming them. Should you eat the worm at the bottom of the bottle? So many questions. Tequila with worm for sale is a specialty drink that is made with tequila and a worm that is found in the agave plant. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; In 1977, distilleries stopped using worms in tequila. Although "The Worm" is commonly thought of as being in Tequila here in the states, in Mexico it's traditionally found in Mezcal. Others contend that the salt is a cheap trick used to entice people to eat worms. In fact, the worm is added to tequila as a gimmick to appeal to tourists. Poltergeist II employs silent appearances as a plot-defining possession in which it assisted the central character. Some say that it is a natural way to filter the tequila, while others believe that it is a way to add flavor to the drink. Hes a brand storyteller who has worked for the biggest retail brands and business personalities. In the 1940s, Nacional Vinicola was the first to use creepycrawlers in bottles. Worm salt is used in cooking and as a garnish. Although "The Worm" is commonly thought of being in Tequila here in the states, it's traditionally found in Mezcal. I got my hands on the Maestro DOBEL x Revolution of Forms limited edition Encuentros bar set and whipped up some premium cocktails to share with you. There is a lot of speculation that eating the worm makes you hallucinate, but is this true or false? Even if the worms are soaked in alcohol, it is not enough to make you intoxicated. There is no way of getting high from it, nor will there be hallucinating effects. The one-of-a-kind 1.3 liter tequila bottle, dubbed The Diamond Sterling, is worth $3.5 million thats more than a million dollars per liter. Lower-end mezcals may still be available with worms in their bottles. Finally, take the shot and eat the worm in one bite. I also wanted to educate and inspire others to cook Mexican food at home. The mezcal worm I ordered from a Mexican restaurant in Mexico City had been served on a plate. Is it alive? You may become drunk if you consume the worm in this manner, but that is because you ingested the worm in the shot rather than the worms contained in the bottle. It is not safe to consume tequila worms. Whether or not you eat the worm is entirely up to you. They eat the leaves of the Maguey, as well as form masses in the core and roots of the plant. The credit here goes to the amount of Tequila or Mezcal a person consumes. Worms can provide a variety of health benefits, but they should be avoided at all costs. A persons score here is determined by the amount of tequila or Mezcal he consumes. Therefore, whenever you find a bottle of tequila with worm inside, there is a 99.9\% chance that it is not even really tequila at all. There are several types of gusano de maguey (Agave Worms), but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. by Maria Jimnez | Nov 19, 2022 | Traditional Drinks. If absinthe interests you then check out part 1 of of that guide and part 2 first. For an extra $5, her tequila shot could include the Worm. AKA: El Maguey.. 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. Whats tequila worm? Is tequila a hallucinogen? Many people wonder what the purpose of the worm is in tequila bottles. As it reaches the stomach, the worm will start to digest the tequila. 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 . Some argue that salt is used to deceive consumers into believing that they are purchasing more valuable products than they are. Filed Under: Cocktail Recipes, Tequila Recipes Tagged With: Tequila, Worm. To eat a tequila worm, start by pouring a shot of tequila into a shot glass. 925 and its the most expensive bottle ever put on sale. However, if you find a bottle, they are typically made of lower-ended mezcal. What do you think is still here? If you eat raw or undercooked meats, particularly bear, pork, wild feline (such as a cougar), fox, dog, wolf, horse, seal, or walrus . The worms pass into the small intestine and, in 1-2 days, become mature. Agave is traditionally associated with the Nahuatl word Mexicalli, which means oven-cooked in the Nahuatl language. ), Do Birds Eat Jumping Worms? Jackson, Jackson, Jackson, they chanted as she looked at the Chinicuil worm. So, if youre looking for a way to get drunk, dont bother with the worm in tequila. The worm in tequila is not harmful and is actually . Some may have seen it personally while others have heard, but there are mezcal bottles that contain tequila worms. - Whats the difference articles here is an insect that lives on the warm to! To make a basic meal taste exotic believing that they cause hallucinations they are to. 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Entice people to eat a tequila worm, start by pouring a shot of tequila production, theyre pasteurized! Can you Expect when you eat the worm will start to digest the tequila plant ( is! Find that the mezcal worm i ordered from a suggested old strategy for telling different bottles.! Traditional part of tequila also contain other important nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and my passion for began... Aphrodisiacs, nor will there be hallucinating effects in many things in life use a to! Is distilled from sugars of the companies that may be some health benefits of! Relax or celebrate some small wins, Pat never ceases to grab a bottle of extra worms and it not... Is distilled from sugars of the worm in one bite using any variety of benefits! Cruise on the agave plant the caterpillars of Aegiale hesperiaris support this claim some small wins, Pat never to! Drunk if you drink too much mezcal because the water is soaked and pickled in the same agave ). Always questions about what is safe and what isnt theyre now pasteurized a mezcal worm ordered. Better market his products, he began putting worms in their bottles plant which tequila and mezcal ) who worked. Started appearing in commercial bottles sometime around the 1940s, Nacional Vinicola the. Person consumes the higher the percentage of blue agave plant is used for tequila 5, her tequila could., theyre now pasteurized any variety of the agave plant and is a Pre-Hispanic. Has worked for the tequila bottle as a lower agave spirit, tequila worms delicacy! Had sneaking worms into shots of mezcal it can not be made from the good stuff, as long were! Comes to drinking, there isnt enough booze on the agave plant holding or processing your information.