Theo Nash
The idea of a worm in a bottle of alcohol is typically associated with tequila, but the worm is actually found in mezcal, a similar alcoholic drink. The worm is actually a moth larva called a gusano de maguey, which feeds on the maguey plant used to make mezcal. The practice of adding larvae to mezcal bottles is thought to have originated as a marketing gimmick in the 1940s and 1950s, and some brands continue this practice today, particularly for tourist appeal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol with a worm in it | Mezcal |
| Type of worm | Moth larvae called a gusano de maguey or a red maguey worm |
| Alternative name for the worm | Gusano rojo ("red worm") |
| Alternative name for the drink | Tequila worm |
| Where it originated | Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Taste | The red worm is typically considered tastier than a white maguey worm |
| Purpose of the worm | Marketing gimmick, to give flavor to the drink, and to tell different bottles apart |
| Brands with the worm | Monte Alban |
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What You'll Learn
The worm is actually a moth larva
When we think of a worm in alcohol, we often picture a bottle of spirits with a worm floating inside. This image has been popularized by movies and television shows, often as a joke or a sign of bravery to down the drink and the worm. However, the "worm" is not actually a worm at all but a moth larva. This practice of finding a larva in your drink has a long history and is often associated with mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage native to Mexico.
The larva is specifically from the moth species Hypopta agavis, which feeds on the agave plant. Mezcal is produced from the same plant, and traditionally, the larva would have been found living inside the plant. The inclusion of the larva in the mezcal is believed to have started as a marketing gimmick, with producers adding the larva to indicate that the mezcal was made from 100% agave. Over time, it became a unique selling point and a sign of authenticity, with many believing that consuming the larva brings good luck or enhances the drinking experience.
The presence of the larva is not just a gimmick, as it also serves a practical purpose. The larva is rich in calcium and other minerals, and when consumed, it is believed to neutralize the acidic effects of alcohol on the body. This belief is especially prevalent in rural areas, where mezcal is commonly produced and consumed. The practice of including the larva is not universal among mezcal producers, and many brands choose to omit it, catering to a wider market that may be put off by the idea of consuming a larva.
While the sight of a larva floating in your drink might be off-putting to some, it is important to remember that it is perfectly safe to consume. The larva is distilled and preserved in alcohol, making it safe for human consumption. For those adventurous drinkers who want to try mezcal with the worm, it is worth remembering that the larva is not just a gimmick but a part of the cultural heritage and tradition of mezcal production. It represents a unique aspect of Mexican culture and adds a distinct element to the already complex and flavorful spirit that is mezcal.
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Mezcal is tequila's smokier cousin
Mezcal is a spirit made from fermented agave plants, much like its cousin tequila. However, tequila is made only from blue agave plants, while mezcal can be produced from about 30 varieties of agave. The most common variety of agave used for mezcal is the Espadin, which means "sword" in Spanish because the plant is particularly pointy. Other varieties of agave used for mezcal include wild agave plants, which are rarer and harder to harvest.
The word "mezcal" traditionally meant any alcoholic drink made from the agave plant. So, technically, tequila was considered a type of mezcal. However, today, the word "mezcal" refers specifically to a spirit made from a variety of types of agave (or maguey). According to the Mexican government, mezcal must come from a particular denomination of origin—one of nine states, including Oaxaca, where most mezcal is produced.
Mezcal gets its famous smoky flavor from the production process. Unlike tequila, which is not cooked, mezcal is produced by roasting the agave hearts (the piñas) in pits where they come into direct contact with the coals. The piñas are then crushed and mixed with water to ferment into mezcal.
Mezcal is gaining popularity, especially in the United States, but it is still not as well-known as other spirits like whiskey or tequila. However, it is quickly gaining notoriety, thanks in part to brands like Del Maguey, created by the original mezcal evangelist, Ron Cooper.
Interestingly, mezcal is also associated with the myth of the "tequila worm." While it is often believed that there is a worm at the bottom of tequila bottles, this is not true. Instead, some bottles of mezcal contain a worm, which is actually a moth larva called a gusano de maguey, or red maguey worm. This larva is added to mezcal as a marketing gimmick, and it is said to bring good luck and virility.
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The worm is a marketing gimmick
It is a common misconception that there is a worm at the bottom of tequila bottles. In reality, the "worm" is actually a moth larva called a gusano de maguey, and it is found in some types of mezcal, tequila's "cousin". Mezcal is made from the maguey plant, and the gusano de maguey feeds on this plant.
The inclusion of the worm in mezcal bottles is indeed a marketing gimmick. The idea was conceived by a former art student-turned-mezcal entrepreneur named Jacobo Lozano Paez in the 1940s and 1950s. The worm was used to distinguish mezcal from other spirits, promote curiosity, and encourage sales. It is said that the larvae change the taste of the agave, but it is generally agreed that the worm does not add anything to the flavour. Some sources even suggest that the presence of a worm is indicative of a mezcal brand that prioritises marketing over flavour.
The worm is also believed to bring good fortune and strength to those who find it in their glass. It is thought to have hallucinogenic properties and is considered a delicacy in Mexico, where it is regularly eaten without tequila. The idea that the worm is hallucinogenic is a myth, and it is unlikely to induce hallucinations. The belief that the worm has psychedelic properties may have been a marketing strategy to attract adventurous teens and curious drinkers.
The custom of adding the worm to mezcal bottles is relatively recent, and it is not an ancient Mexican tradition as some may believe. While the worm may have initially served as a way for jimadors to distinguish between bottles of mezcal and tequila, its persistence in modern mezcal production is primarily driven by marketing purposes.
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The worm is edible
The "worm" in mezcal is an insect larva, specifically a moth larva, that is edible. Commonly called a gusano de maguey, it is the caterpillar of the Comadia redtenbacheri moth. In fact, the gusano de maguey is regularly eaten in Mexico without the accompaniment of alcohol. The red maguey worm, or gusano rojo, is considered tastier than the white maguey worm. This is because the red worm feeds on the heart of the maguey plant, which is used to make mezcal.
The gusano de maguey is added to mezcal bottles by some brands to give flavour to the drink and as a marketing ploy. The origin of the "worm" in alcohol is attributed to Jacobo Lozano Paez, a former art student-turned-mezcal entrepreneur, who in 1950, introduced the practice of adding the gusano to mezcal. There are various legends about the Tequila Worm, including that consuming it results in drunkenness or hallucinations, or that it brings good fortune. However, the Mexican Standards Authority prohibits the addition of insects or larvae to tequila, so it is only found in mezcal.
The gusano de maguey can be salted, fried, eaten in tacos, used in sauces, or mixed with salt and served with mezcal. Worm salt, made from the gusano, can also be used to complement the agave spirit, adding depth to the complex flavours of mezcal. It can also be used to add umami to ceviche, cocktails, salsas, or any other food.
In Mexican culture, the worm is believed to hold the key to unlocking doors in life, and eating it is the only way to find out which doors it will unlock.
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The worm does not add flavour
The idea that a worm is found in tequila is a common misconception. The "worm" is actually found in mezcal, tequila's "huskier, smokier cousin". Mezcal is produced in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the "worm" is actually a moth larva called a gusano de maguey. This larva is the caterpillar of the Comadia redtenbacheri moth, also called chinicuil or gusano rojo ("red worm"). The red worm is typically considered tastier than a white maguey worm.
The custom of adding larvae to mezcal is relatively recent, with Jacobo Lozano Paez introducing the practice in 1940 or 1950. The gusano de maguey feeds on the maguey plant, which is roasted and distilled into mezcal. The idea that the worm adds flavour to the mezcal is a myth. While some believe that the larvae change the taste of the mezcal, it is generally agreed that the worm is added for marketing purposes.
The other variety of "worm" found in mezcal is the larva of a weevil known as picudo del agave, or the agave snout weevil. This weevil is a pest that can damage agave plants by eating them from the inside. It is not related to edible maguey worms.
In Mexican culture, the worm is associated with various beliefs and superstitions. Some believe that the worm brings good fortune and strength, while others consider it to be a way to prove the mezcal's potency, as a high alcohol content is necessary to pickle the worm. However, the idea that the worm has hallucinogenic properties is not true.
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Frequently asked questions
The alcohol with a worm in it is mezcal, which is tequila's "huskier, smokier cousin".
The worm, which is actually a moth larva, was likely added as a marketing gimmick to boost mezcal sales in the 1940s and 1950s. It has also been suggested that the worm was originally added to bottles to tell them apart.
Yes, it is safe to eat the worm. In fact, fried gusano de maguey (the worm) is a popular drinking snack in Mexico. However, it will probably not taste very nice.
No, the worms are added during production. However, the worms are not alive when they are added to the bottles and are, therefore, not swimming around.
Yes, in Mexican culture, it is believed that the worm holds the key to unlocking doors for you in life and the only way to find out which doors is to eat it.
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