What Is The Most Expensive Tequila
The one-of-a-kind 1.3 liter tequila bottle, dubbed “The Diamond Sterling,” is worth $3.5 million that’s more than a million dollars per liter. According to Culture Map, the bottle was created by Tequila Ley . 925 and it’s the most expensive bottle ever put on sale. Just what makes this bottle so expensive?
What Happens When You Eat It
There arent any known side effects after eating the caterpillar. People who have eaten the worm, either chewing it or swallowing it whole, also say that they do not hallucinate as some may believe.
Eating the caterpillar wont make you more drunk, at least not significantly. It is true that it has been soaking in the mezcal for quite awhile, but the caterpillar itself really wont have any major effects.
If you do happen to eat it, the only real effect that may happen is that it will make you feel more macho. But again, this is merely an urban legend.
What Is A Tequila Worm
Everyone calls it the tequila worm, but heres another thing thats going to blow your mind. Its not in tequila, and its not a worm. Gasp!
Unfortunately, mezcal moth larva or mezcal caterpillar dont sound that great either.
So yes, youve read that correctly. The tequila worm is, in actuality, the larva from a species of moth. The Mexicans call the larvae gusano de maguey, or worm of agave. Maguey is the Spanish word for agave, the plant from which both tequila and mezcal are distilled.
There are two kinds of moth larva that can be used. The first is from the beetle Scyphophorus acupunctatus. The beetle larva has red coloring. The second is from a moth species called Comadia redtenbacheri, of the Cossidae moth family. This is the white larva you see most often, though its common for both kinds of larva to be used.
Don’t Miss: What To Put In Vodka
What Plant Is Tequila Made From
The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque. There are more than 300 agave species. An agave plant takes eight to 12 years to mature. The plant has a bulbous body called a pina.
Does Tequila Have A Worm In The Bottle
Technically, no, there arent worms at the bottom of most tequila bottles.
The worm is more typically found in bottles of mezcal. An alcoholic drink in the same family, but slightly different to tequila, with smokier notes.
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. Technically, calling it a mezcal worm is more accurate.
Well refer to them as tequila worms in this post, but dont be surprised if you dont find a worm in your tequila bottle!
Also Check: Where To Buy Empress Gin
Also Check: What Goes Good With Vodka To Drink
Brands Of Tequila With Worm The History And Why Its There
Hey there! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
Ah, the legendary pickled worm inside the bottle of tequila. You might want to call it the alcoholic version of the Loch Ness monster, because youve probably wondered once or twice if its just a myth. Though theres a lot of hype surrounding tequila worms, you might have thought recently, Wow, theres not one bottle of tequila in this store with a worm in it! Whats up?
Turns out, youve been misled. Yes, tequila worms are real. And yes, you can still find them in bottles. There are a couple of things you need to know, though.
Without further ado, here are all your questions about that little worm inside the bottle of tequila answered.
Types Of Larva Found In Tequila
Two different kinds of the larva can be used. The red larva is the larva of the beetle Scyphophorus acupunctures, while the white larva is the larva of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri from the Cossidae family of moths, which is the most commonly used.
A larva is the young form of an insect. A larva looks very different from an adult, and it cannot fly or reproduce until it turns into an adult.
The larvae in mezcal tequila are members of the butterfly family called moths. They live inside of agave plants, which are used to make both Tequila and Mezcal Tequila.
The worm you find in Tequila is not a real worm its just a wriggling moth larva that lives inside agave plants! The worms can be eaten but most people choose not to .
LEARN MORE: What Soda To Mix With Tequila?
You May Like: How To Make Whiskey Sour Mix
Brands That Put Worms In Mezcal
Gusano Rojo mezcal, which is produced by Nacional Vinicola was the first bottle of spirits to include the worm. Later, Jacobo Lozano Páez and Andres Paniagua opted to put the worm in another mezcal, Dos Gusanos.
Other brands include:
- Wahaka Reposado Con Gusano
- Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano
- Vodka Villa Lobos not a mezcal the selling point for this vodka is the rare use of the mezcal worm.
What Do Tequila Worms Taste Like
Finally, as long as were busting myths, heres another one: Does eating the worm cause hallucinations? Nope. 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. Some people who have eaten a mezcal worm say it tastes like chicken.
You May Like: What Is Extra Anejo Tequila
The Real Story Behind The Tequila Worm
In this era of craft spirits and, yes, even lawsuits about the hand-craftedness of craft spirits, its unlikely somebody would plunk a bottle of tequila in front of you, point at the worm floating around on the bottom, and challenge you to eat it.
Unlikely for two reasons: well, were all much classier these days, and thank you very much. But the second, far more important reasonthere is no worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle. Not trying to invoke a there is no spoon vibe here, just, the worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle is an old school myth, a misunderstanding born of some marketing savvy and probably bolstered by the rowdy one-upsmanship of tequila swilling machismo.
The worm were all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequilas huskier, smokier cousin . And even then, the worm wasnt a traditional aspect of mezcal production, even though to this day, some misinformation endures about the virility and hallucinations youll supposedly get as a reward for your worm-eating bravery.
drop!
Some think the worm in the bottle started as a marketing ploy, to get people to drink more mezcal in the 1940s and 1950s. Word has it a former art student-turned-mezcal entrepreneur named Jacobo Lozano Paez got the idea to actually put the gusano into the bottle of finished mezcal after realizing that the gusano changed the flavor of the spirit.
Is It Tequila Or Mezcal
If youve come all this way looking for brands of tequila with worm in it, youre going to be slightly disappointed. There never has been any brands of tequila with a critter at the bottom. Its a misconception. The Mexican spirit that does have a worm in the bottle is called Mezcal. Yes, both tequila and mezcal are similar, so its easy to see how the mistake can be madebut there is no worm in tequila.
Also Check: What Do You Mix With Fireball Whiskey
Do They Still Put Worm In The Tequila Bottle
No, they dont put worms in the tequila bottle but probably partnered with a tiny pack of flavored worm salt. Tequilas dont contain the worm, and it contradicts popular belief.
Also, the Mexican Standards Authority prohibits adding insects to the bottle of tequilas.
But if youd find one, its in a mezcal bottle, and theyre usually in the lowest priced merchandise in a manufacturers line.
Can You Eat The Worms In Tequila Bottles
You can eat the worms in tequila bottles. If youre curious and up for an adventure, go for it.
Mexicans and people who have eaten the bugs say it tastes like chicken. Also, it is not crispy and crunchy but chewy in texture when you eat it.
Chefs in Mexico incorporate these into some delectable dishes. In fact, fried gusano makes a great pair for tequilas.
Recommended Reading: What Is Gin Distilled From
How To Fish A Texas Rig Plastic Worm
Texas rigging allows you to keep the bait tight to cover without getting snagged. Simply cast the rig out and let it fall to the bottom. Sweep your rod in 2-3 foot increments, then reel in the line after each pull. This creates a pause between drags which allow the bass to catch up and commit to the bait.
Is There A Worm In A Bottle Of Tequila
Is there a worm in a bottle of tequila? There are no worms in tequila bottles. If you want to find this mystifying grub, you have to look at the bottom of a bottle of mezcalpreferably a cheap one.
Do bottles of tequila contain worms? Today, tequila does not contain a worm in the bottle . But if you do find a bottle, theyre usually in lower-ended mezcal.
Do all tequila have worms? What Tequila has a worm in it? None. Thats right, no tequila has a worm in it. Both tequila and mezcal are made by distilling the agave plant, however while mezcal can be made from a blend of one of 250 types of the cactus-like succulents.
Is there a worm at the bottom of a tequila bottle? Your tequila bottles hitchhiker isnt a worm, but rather a larva of the beetle Scyphophorus acupunctatus, or larva of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri from the Cossidae family of moths.
Don’t Miss: What’s Good With Grey Goose Vodka
Wait What A Little Worm In My Drink
Yes, my friend, you read that right! Many Tequila drinkers believe that a worm is added to this drink, however, this goes back to Mezcal’s myths and legends.
Firstly, that little worm is called Gusano de Maguey and it grows in the roots of the Maguey or Agave. This worm is a typical insect from Oaxaca, the motherland of Mezcal. During the rainy season, they gnaw on the stems and the leaves. Fun fact: In Mexico, they like to cook these little worms and eat them in a taco with guacamole
The origin of this tradition remains uncertain. There are plenty of myths about how it began, but some people believe that it started when Mezcal distillers found a way to test if the drink was suitable for human consumption. They would drop the worm into the bottle, and if it’s still wriggling when it hits the bottom, then the product is safe to drink. Others believe that a worm in their bottle causes the drink to have ” magical and aphrodisiac properties” And a few think it was added to provide a unique and distinct flavor to the beverage.
As worms found their way into batches of Mezcal, Mezcals marketing trick was born: To deliberately include a worm in the bottles and spread an intriguing myth about why it was added. Today, we can all agree that this marketing strategy surely paid off. It gives Mezcal a distinct character and also helps distinguish it from Tequila.
Has Anyone Ever Been Daring Enough To Eat The Tequila Worm
Anyone have the guts to eat the worm?
nope, but i have heard it is like a halucinogen. i dont know if ill ever be daring enough to do it but i would love to hear some peoples experiences.
Never done it but I have seen a friend eat the worm out of a Mesquel bottle. Not much happened. We were drinking already ) and he said nothing felt extraordinary. But there has to be some better stories out there!
Three times, and still wanted to stand on my head!!! Nothing harmful, more fun than anything, give it a go and Get R Done!
The worm is only found in mezcal, never in tequila, wellin some american tequilas just as a marketing ploy., but never in mexican tequilacommon misunderstanding.
Btwthe worm is called a gusano and is actually a butterfly caterpillar.
most of the worms in tequila are manufactured and made out of some geletin substance, no worm at all.
I assume you are referring to American bottled tequila, as there are no worms in Mexican tequila. The worm in mezcal, the gusano, feeds on the agave plants, of which mescal and tequila is madethus its scientific name hipopta agavis. I am quite sure any worm you find in
Yes, when I was in college, I ate the worm. It tasted like mescal, but had a mushy texture. I dont think that the worm was hallucenogenic, but it took a few margaritas to get up the nerve to ingest it. I cant believe that I actually did that!!!!
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy 360 Vodka
Is Centenario Tequila Mexican
Since 1857, Gran Centenario ® has been crafted in small batches in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Our 100% agave tequilas still undergo the proprietary Selección Suave process established by our founder, which adds older tequila reserves to the blend to achieve extraordinary smoothness and complexity.
Eat The Wormwhat Can You Expect When You Eat The Worm
A few well-deserved pats on the back are normal, but you may not realize that you just experienced much more.
First, lets get these myths out of the way. The worm does not give you hallucinations, and it is not an aphrodisiac. The credit here goes to the amount of Tequila or Mezcal a person consumes.
Oddly enough, there are many kinds of gusano de maguey , but only the Chinicuil Gusano is used. This is the red worm. It is highly prized and a more expensive worm.
Chinicuil worms are more than gimmicks added to liquor. Theyre nutritious and considered a delicacy. Theyre included on menus in many fine restaurants. Chapulines are another insect food that Gringos often mistake for spiced peanuts. There are nearly 200 different insects Mexicans consider food, and every one tastes different. People worldwide consider insects as food.
So, when you eat the worm, you are partaking in tradition. The Pre-Hispanic tradition of eating insects. Entomophagy. Something we should all be adopting since eating insects is not only nutritious, but they can be raised humanely in an environmentally friendly manner. Adding insects to our diets makes sense. Its an unwarranted cultural fear thats keeping us from this entire food group.
Recommended Reading: How Is Crown Royal Whiskey Made
So The Gusano Wasnt A Marketing Ploy
Its possible it is a marketing ploy and simply started with Legitimo or some earlier brand. Like so much of the beautiful cultural heritage of rural Mexico, theres little to no documentation to support any of the theories.
Until 1994, nearly every bottle of mezcal legally exported to the USA had a gusano in it. Or sometimes two. Then Ron Cooper educated us about heritage agave spirits with his Del Maguey Mezcal. He sparked the worlds interest in the breadth and depth of traditional mezcal. Simply by using that phrase, though traditional mezcal suggests, in that context, that mezcal con gusano isnt traditional.
Maestro mezcalero Eduardo Angeles of Lalocura has a different view. Lalo, as he is known to his friends, believes the practice dates back a hundred years or more. My theory is that the mezcal with gusano has its origin shortly after the Mexican Revolution, he says. It may also have been made before that, but it became far more generalized after the revolution. I think that it is linked to the religious parties in the towns in honor of each towns patron saint.
The Perfect Tequila Cocktail Is Sipped From Three Separate Glasses
First, we have to zoom out. Like kindred spirits scotch and whiskey, Mexicos two primary liquors, mezcal and tequila are both distilled from the same source: the agave. But while tequila is technically mezcal, it can only be brewed from blue agave, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, surrounding the town of Tequila.
Plantations that would grow multiple forms of agave would end up with bottles of visually interchangeable light-colored liquid. To limit confusion, jimadores would pluck the bugs from dead or dying agave plants and place them in bottles of mezcal.
Thats right: the larvae disguised as worms, rumored to alter the taste of the spirit, rumored to be proof positive the booze was strong enough, even rumored to have magic powers, were really just glorified name tags.
As Jorge Torres, a server and sommelier at the Fairmont Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen explains, during his degree research on mezcal and tequila, much of the history around the worms jump into ubiquity is conjecture. Especially given small towns tradition of putting snakes, iguanas and other small animals into bottles of mezcal.
“They dont add anything to distillation,” he says. “Its just marketing. Many little towns around the country, rural people, poor people, they only have lands and part of the belief has been from generation to generation. So perhaps their grandfather or their great-grandfather does that. So, theyre doing the same tradition.
You May Like: What Is The Best Scotch Whiskey To Buy