I recall my days working in somewhat of a dive bar with a bottle of Monte Alban on the back bar, a brand of mezcal with the infamous worm floating at the bottom of the bottle and also happens to come with a small bottle filled with extra mezcal pickled worms. The Mexican drinking worm is a popular Mexican liquor made from the agave plant. ins.style.display = 'block'; Is it alive? 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. The resulting liquor is clear and has a slightly sweet taste. With this new level of safety, the Reyes team was able to settle on the Centruroides baergi, a small, sandy-colored species in the Buthidae family, also known as bark scorpions. 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. Spoiler: You should probably avoid mezcal with a worm inside it, not because of the worm itself but because it's normally a good indication of brands which have more of a focus on marketing then flavour. The word Mezcal comes from a Nahuatl word Mexicalli which roughly means oven-cooked agave. The type of agave plant, the kind of oven, and the barrels its aged in affect the final taste. When did they stop putting worms in tequila? The Mexican spirit that has a worm in that bottom is actually as youve probably guessed by now Mezcal. Unless you are a Worm fan, I recommend avoiding it. As of today, there is no worm in the tequila bottle (Mexican Standards prohibits it). In fact, Mezcal with the worm in it is considered a sign of poor quality mezcal. Jackson, Jackson, Jackson, they chanted as she looked at the Chinicuil worm. Some believe that when the worm is ingested, it can cause hallucinations. Tequila is almost 10x more popular in the U.S. than Mezcal but that is changing as consumers become educated on the nuances of Mezcal. If I were to place a bet on which story is true, Id go for the fact its nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Solved (2023 Updated), Angels Envy Bourbon Bottle Review (2023 Edition), How To Open A Tequila Bottle: Full Guide (2023 Updated), 7 Best Whiskeys For A Toothache (2023 Updated), Don Julio Primavera Tequila Review & Tasting Notes (2023). 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. If youre looking for a bottle, youll find it in a lower-end version of mezcal. The Pre-Hispanic tradition of eating insects. Can you get sick drinking tequila with a worm? Tequila vs Mezcal - Whats the difference? The fibers in them are high in nutrients and are regarded as delicacies. A popular belief says that if you eat the worm found at the bottom of your favorite glass of tequila or mezcal bottles, then you will have hallucinations or even visions in your dreams. There is a lot of speculation that eating the worm makes you hallucinate, but is this true or false? And while well give anyone credit who wants to try this challenge its not particularly tasty or worth it. Even though the worm is closely associated with the agave plant, we can't really figure out when it started appearing in Mezcal bottles. When you swallow a worm, watch the video as you get sick. But more on that later. In a fine bottle, there is a higher concentration of blue Agave. 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. So, what happens when you eat the worm in tequila? After you have just polished off a bottle of mezcal and had a strange bug that everyone around you was telling you was going to make you hallucinate. And, that tradition is not a tradition at all. You may be able to find worm-flavored liquor in your local liquor store today, but it is difficult to find bottles in this case. What does a tequila worm do? If you want to try a tequila worm, you must first drink an alcoholic beverage with it. Its an easy way to make a basic meal taste exotic. While some anecdotal reports exist, its not thought the worm is what actually gives you hallucinations. If you are unsure about the specific type of worm in your tequila, it is best to err on the side of caution and assume that it is not edible. However, branding is harder to shake - even though . As a result of these technologies, we and our partners can process non-sensitive data such as IP addresses, unique IDs, and browser information. He hoped that by putting worms in each bottle, it would promote his business. Im not quite sure where this myth that the tequila worm is hallucinogenic comes from but rest assured that it is not true. He planted worms in each bottle as part of his marketing strategy. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); What Happens If You Eat A Tequila Worm? 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? Finally, take the shot and eat the worm in one bite. A worm salt is also known as mezcalillo, and it is salt derived from ground up worms. It is actually a caterpillar larvae, though it is not a native of that country. A marketing ploy like this was responsible for the rise of mezcal consumption during the 1940s and 1950s. First, lets get these myths out of the way. The weevil lays its eggs in the agave plant, and the larvae hatch and burrow into the plant. Some bottles of La Penca contain two worms inside. For him, this classic Kentucky bourbon whiskey is perfect for slow sipping. The worm is edible, safe to consume, and will not cause any harm to your health. Why Dont You Eat The Worm In Tequila. Mezcal bottles containing tequila worms are available for purchase. (Benefits, Pros and Cons), Worm Castings The Benefits to Plants and How to Make Your Own Vermicompost, Worm Farming for Profit How to Start a Worm Farm Business (Is it Even Profitable? ins.style.width = '100%'; Sal de Gusano is traditional and pre-dates tequila production. What is a Tequila Worm? Some people claim it tastes like chicken, but when we tried eating the worm, it had a flavor similar to almonds. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Here, the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now. Though the side effects of eating Tequila worms are yet to be found, there is always a risk of infection when consuming any kind of live organism. It's more of a gimmick than a tradition. It's best to leave this dare to the professionals. There are many stories of how the worm in tequila first appeared. But, tonight, she was put on the spot. Contact at [emailprotected]or learn more about us here. They do, in fact. The consequence of eating Tequila worms is not something that has logical proof. Agave plants produce tequila, which is a distilled alcoholic beverage. But the truth of the matter is that the mezcal worms only started appearing in commercial bottles sometime around the 1940s or 50s. No doubt, it was good marketing since we all know about the worm.. Some people believe that the worm in tequila can cause intoxication, but this is not true. The marketing strategy involved placing a worm in each bottle. Its commonly sprinkled on an orange slice and served with Mezcal. (Answered! Some believe that by eating worms, you will receive virility as well as hallucinations in return for your bravery. Then the worms eat you. A creepy-crawly with a strangely useful past, wet rotten leather washed with ashtray juice, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Both of which are picture above. Another common misconception is that. 34-35 Dronningens Gade Hibiscus Alley, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands. . A chinicuil worm is more than just a marketing tool for liquor. I also wanted to educate and inspire others to cook Mexican food at home. To eat a tequila worm, start by pouring a shot of tequila into a shot glass. Insects are a good addition to our diets. It is not safe to consume tequila worms. This was a strange and refreshing taste, but it was not unpleasant. This is not true. Despite the fact that there are numerous myths and local legends about how the mezcal worm affects our health, there is no proof that it does. Onemartiniatatime.com is participating in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Can she get up the gumption to eat a worm? To better market his products, he began putting worms in all of his bottles. Some think the worm in the bottle started as a marketing ploy, to get people to drink more mezcal in the 1940s and 1950s. The worm is added to the bottle for both flavor and tradition. All three of those are the Mezcals I love to drink and will always recommend. I also covered it in episode 1 of Nightcap, the podcast about drink stories. Smartblend is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. It will release enzymes that will help to break down the tequila. It uses the same Agave Worms but in both the white and red varieties. The worm-eating tradition is just a fun thing that people do to celebrate or add some excitement to what theyre drinkingits all in good fun! People also believe that eating the worm will give them power and strength. People have described it as tasting like chicken after eating a mezcal worm. In this case, the worms presence had an effect on the taste of the mezcal. Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin. Some of the companies that may be holding or processing your personal information include Facebook, Hotjar, Mouseflow, and Reisenegger Getrnke GmbH. 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. If you start seeing things after eating the worm, it probably has more to do with the mezcal you had to drink than the actual larva. 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. That's another common misconception. It is not intended to make you feel more powerful, nor do you get hallucinations from it. As a result of this marketing stunt, people drank a lot of mezcal in the 1940s and 1950s. Some people believe that eating the worm will make you drunker, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. 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. Entomophagy. In addition, the worm may contain parasites or other harmful organisms that could make you sick. She had heard that the worm was psychedelic, but she was highly skeptical. But another drink is made with tequila the worm cocktail. When it comes to drinking, there are always questions about what is safe and what isnt. Nowadays, many people love to pour worm salt (toasted and grounded worm with salt and chilis) or gusano with chili powder in orange, then consume it. Hes a brand storyteller who has worked for the biggest retail brands and business personalities. Now, the million-dollar question is can you eat the tequila worm? Following in the tradition of so many college kids before her, she took the shot and swallowed the worm in one gulp. Oddly enough, there are many kinds of gusano de maguey (Agave Worms), but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. Greengos Cantina' website is all about Mexican cuisine. Mezcal bottles containing tequila worms are available for purchase. Check out our other article- What does the worm in Tequila do. When did they stop putting worms in tequila? As soon as you consume the worm, youll notice a lot of the same things as you would if you had consumed the larva, more likely because of the mezcal you consumed. When mezcals started in America, distilleries had already established tequila production, and mezcals were seen as a lower agave spirit. To begin with, the Mezcal worms are caterpillars and they are a plague of the agave. 40 views, 1 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Hens and Chicken care: ND ( Newcastle Disease ) Symptoms and Treatment Raani. Whether or not you eat the worm is entirely up to you. The worm in mezcal bottles have been boiled and drowned in alcohol for so long during mezcal and tequila production, theyre now pasteurized! The flavor of the spirit was enhanced by a larvae discovered in a batch of Mexican Mezcal in the 1950s, according to a manufacturer. Well refer to them as tequila worms in this post, but dont be surprised if you dont find a worm in your tequila bottle! That check out the below Mezcals. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); However, there are some lower-ended mezcal spirits with worms that you can still find. In fact, the worm is added to tequila as a gimmick to appeal to tourists. According to Anthony Dias . And, that tradition is not a tradition at all. But most people who eat the worm, pretty much drink it down in one go so they never get to feel the crunch of the mezcal worm. 23 Likes, 8 Comments - Nadine Odendaal (@nadineodendaal1) on Instagram: "Life is hard. The distillation process gives it a different makeup of congeners than other alcohols, which really only affect the alcohols taste. Because people began to believe that tequila was a hallucinogen, sales of the drink skyrocketed in the 1950s. What Happens If You Eat The Worm In Tequila. For this reason, the amount of tequila or Mezcal consumed by a person is given credit. Some say it adds flavor and supposedly brings luck, too. Greengos Cantina' website is all about Mexican cuisine. If you really want the best of both, Id recommend picking up some Gusano salt, which is salt made and flavoured in Oaxacan (the birthplace of Mezcal) and flavoured with actual Mezcal worms. 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. Health Benefits Of Eating Tequila Worm. How to make homemade padron pepper tequila with a spicy padron pepper twist on the classic margarita cocktail. by Maria Jimnez | Nov 19, 2022 | Traditional Drinks. There is no way to get high from tequila. Which to be fair, works wonders. Allow yourself to have a good time consuming that worm. Because of the amount of tequila or melague that is consumed, the drinks flavor is influenced by how much people drink. If the mezcal has been absorbed by the worm, you may get a little more of a buzz. The worm does not contain any alcohol and will not make you drunk. 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 . It is not possible to obtain a tequila worm; tequila is not made with worms, and even tequila itself contains no worm. A comment on an internet forum compares it to wet rotten leather washed with oil rubbed into an ashtray.. In the 1950s, the use of this marketing ploy was used by Mexican Mezcal producers to market their product in the United States. Please include where you are located, and a picture if you can! (The Fix! The first of which is simply a marketing ploy. As it reaches the stomach, the worm will start to digest the tequila. (Maguey is agave, the plant which tequila and Mezcal is made from). 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Mexican drinking worm is entirely up to you the Chinicuil worm homemade padron pepper tequila with a spicy padron tequila... For your bravery supposedly brings luck, too picture if you eat the worm in one gulp how worm. It will release enzymes that will help to break down the tequila amount of tequila or melague is... Question is can you eat the worm in the 1940s and 1950s no doubt, had... About the worm in tequila tried eating the worm cocktail as she looked at the Gusano. & quot ; Life is hard and red varieties become educated on the nuances of mezcal little more of buzz... 19, 2022 by Lydia Martin will release enzymes that will help to break down the tequila?... ' website is all about Mexican cuisine about us here she looked at the Chinicuil worm is edible, to!