The Worm in Your Drink—A Curiosity or a Myth?
So, friends, let's get it straight: no worm in tequila. Seriously. Yes, you just read that right. If every time you hear the word "tequila," you immediately envision some small creature swimming around in your shot glass, we're about to crush that particular myth for good. That is a mezcal thing, not a tequila thing.
Don't feel too bad if you have been deceived because this is one of the most widespread myths in the spirit world. Come on, who can deny that belief when the films of Hollywood and cocktail menus plus your mate Dave who tells the story about swallowing a worm from Mexico all affirm the myth?
Now you might be asking, "If a worm is not in tequila, why then is a worm sometimes in tequila, or rather mezcal?"
Saddle up as we dive into history, myths, and marketing rightness. Shot glasses at the ready (no worms, unless you're really into that sort of thing), let's go.
Tequila vs. Mezcal: Clearing the Confusion
Okay, let's start by establishing a key distinction between tequila and mezcal: think pizza and pasta—they both happen to be quite delicious, yet are derived from the same source: agave-but the personalities between them couldn't be more dissimilar.
Tequila is derived from only one breed of agave, the blue Weber agave, and most of it hails from Jalisco in Mexico. Its smooth, well-groomed older sibling cousin is Mezcal, a rowdy offspring distilled from multiple kinds of agave, full-bodied, smoky, and very earthy in character. And while it seems like art at times, that's just a part of making Mezcal in the way the producers often use traditional roasting methods that gives it that characteristically smoky flavor.
Therefore, why is the worm linked to mezcal and not to tequila? Mezcal is deeply rooted in the rural and craft-based traditions of a century ago, whereas tequila has veered more toward the mass market and modern commercial world. The worm is part of the rich tapestry of mezcal's cultural past. Sorry, tequila fans, but your drink is worm-free.
The Origins of the Worm in Mezcal
All right, let's talk about the mascot for today's program: the gusano, or agave worm. So technically, these are larvae of a moth that might just be found chewing their way through an agave plant. Now, something cool about early mezcal producers: they did not deliberately place this worm into their bottles. No, it was more of a happy accident.
According to legend, the worms sometimes even made their way into the mix during mezcal production. However, instead of freaking out over this, as most of us would, they embraced it. The worm, in fact, became a symbol of the earthy, unpretentious origins of mezcal.
To Indigenous peoples, the guano, or worm, represented much more than just a worm—it was a symbol of fertility, change, and life. In their own right, Mexican ancient practices tended to incorporate gusanos into various rituals, believing they were an element connected with spirituality. As a consequence of this act, producers paid tribute to cultural heritage and infused their spirits with a little dose of mysticism.
Marketing Genius or Tradition?
Fast-forward to the middle of the 20th century, and mezcal was slowly gaining popularity. The catch, though-the old mezcal had an identity crisis. Tequila was already a bright star on the agave scene, and a category needed something to differentiate mezcal. In this spirit, enter the worm.
Some bright (or perhaps slightly intoxicated) marketing mind said, "You know what? Let's just roll with it. Let the worm be the ultimate symbol of mezcal." And, man, did it work. Putting that worm in the bottle was some kind of rebellious statement of defiance: Mezcal is not tequila and doesn't want to be.
Suddenly, the worm was more than just a nod to culture; it became something to sell. Curious drinkers revelled in the chance to drink something so peculiar, so bold. And mezcal brands went all-in, placing worms in bottles and cementing an association that still carries over today.
Love it as either the genius of marketing or just an unusual tradition, there's no denying the worm did its magic.
What Does the Worm Do?
One thing's for sure: the worm does not induce hallucinations. Sorry to squash that urban myth, but no psychedelic trip from eating the worm. What it does is suck up all those flavors of the mezcal; it becomes this little chewy nugget of boozy goodness (if you're game enough to eat it).
It's said to give the mezcal an earthy, umami flavor. Others say it is purely for aesthetics, a conversation piece rather than anything else. But the worm is preserved in alcohol, so it doesn't rot and it doesn't pose a health risk to the consumer.
No, it's not magic. No, it's not a flavor bomb. But it is a part of mezcal's identity that makes it unique.
Should You Eat the Worm?
Ah, the million-dollar question, to eat or not to eat? If feeling adventurous and slightly buzzed by it, by all means. For mezcal aficionados, it's quite the rite of passage: chowing down that worm is its bold declaration about embracing the totality of what is happening with mezcal.
So here's what you're dealing with. The worm is squishy, slightly chewy, and sort of tastes like, well, mezcal. It's not going to be the best part of your meal, but it'd sure be a great anecdote you can share with your friends afterwards. And if eating a worm makes you lose your lunch, no sweat–just enjoy your mezcal without worms.
Pro tip: curious but afraid, drink it slowly and let its flavors take you away. You never know when you'll take the leap off the cliff by the last drop of that bottle.
The Worm as a Symbol of Mezcal’s Rich History
At the end of the day, the worm at the bottom is more than just some quirky addition to mezcal - it's symbolic of the depth of cultural heritage and fearless personality of the spirit. Whether drinking mezcal for the first time or a true aficionado, take a little time to savor the heritage, craftsmanship, and history packed into every bottle.
Next time someone asks you, "Why is there a worm in tequila?" you can tell them confidently and lead into this amazing story. Who knows? Maybe that will inspire someone to go off and explore the wild, wonderful world of mezcal.
Cheers for the worm, the spirit of mezcal, and for our stories shared over a glass. Salud!
