We all know the urban legend that tequila is supposed to have a worm in it.
Not only does this tequila have a worm in it, but it’s also supposed to make you hallucinate. And as if that isn’t enough, your hallucinations are supposedly your deepest fears.
However, none of these talks seems to have had a material manifestation. So, the question remains, what tequila has a worm in it?
No tequila has a worm in it; mezcal does. However, this isn’t as described in the urban myth, but it is far more mellow than that. The worm is a marketing gimmick invented to sell cheap, low-quality mezcal bottles.
Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic drink made from the agave plant, like tequila, making it a close cousin. Nevertheless, unlike tequila, which comes from blue agave and blue agave only, mezcal can be derived from other types of agave.
The worm, or as our Spanish amigos call it, gusano, is the larva of a moth that feeds on the agave plant, which is how it finds itself in the mezcal.
Nevertheless, you have to give it to the mezcal producers for their ingenious way of covering their mistakes and making money.
There’s a worm in the bottle? Let’s say it was intentional and that the worm has certain powers; that’ll do it. And the funniest thing is that it did do it.
The Origins of Worm in Mezcal
The worm’s origins in mezcal are somewhat a mystery, but this marketing ploy is believed to have started in the 1940s or 1950s.
There are two theories as to why this came into play. The first theory is that the worm in mezcal was supposed to differentiate the good from the bad brands of mezcal, the poor brands being those with the worm.
The other theory suggests that this custom began as a tourist gimmick to attract foreigners and make the drink unique and mystic so that it invokes curiosity.
Whichever of these theories is true, the fact remains that the worm in the mezcal is nothing more than a play, and it isn’t a part of the traditional way of making the drink.
Today, the worm in mezcal has become a significant part of popular culture, and there is hardly a tourist that passes through Mexico without having some of this drink.
Brands of Worm Mezcal
While it’s true that some bottles of mezcal may contain a worm, it’s important to note that this is not a traditional practice and is typically associated with lower-quality brands.
The worm in the mezcal bottle is a larva that feeds on the agave plant. Occasionally, a worm may find itself in a mezcal bottle, which the producers have cleverly played as an intentional doing.
However, since the mezcal worm has gradually become an attraction, some producers intentionally add it to make it more appealing and attractive to consumers. Listing all the mezcal brands containing a worm is virtually impossible as they don’t always label them.
The following brands contain worms in some mezcal expressions: Gusano Rojo, Monte Alban, Zignum, El Recuerdo de Oaxaca, Los Danzantes, Fidencio, Mezcal Amores, La Penca, Oro de Oaxaca, and Xicala.
It’s worth mentioning that nowadays, the mezcal worm means nothing and no longer distinguishes the good from the bad brands.
The worm in mezcal is nothing more than a marketing trick, and all brands want good sales, so the quality has nothing to do with the worm. Therefore, digging deeper into the mezcal world is best to see which brands offer a high-quality spirit.
Why Do They Put A Worm In Tequila?
Tequila isn’t the one with a worm in it; it’s its close relative, mezcal.
The worm in the mezcal is a larva that lives in the agave plant and feeds off it. While tequila comes from blue agave, mezcal can be made with other varieties.
Sometimes a larva can wander off into the bottle, transforming into a worm and finding itself inside the mezcal bottle. There has always been a possibility for the worm to become a part of the mezcal bottle, but in the 40s and 50s, it became a thing.
The worm in the mezcal meant that the drink was of low quality and was a bad name for the producers as it was a sign of poor hygiene in the making process and a lack of attention and diligence.
Today, the worm in the mezcal is a good marketing trick to make the drink unique and increase its sales.
What Does The Worm In Mezcal Do To You?
If you were looking forward to some worm-tripping, I am afraid I will have to disappoint you. The worm in mezcal does absolutely nothing to your mind and body.
As for the worm itself, the statements that it has hallucinogenic effects and opens new worlds and colors to the one who eats it are marketing tricks.
Moreover, the worm isn’t a part of the traditional mezcal-making process but a wanderer who accidentally found itself in the bottle.
The worm isn’t drunk, but it is left at the bottom of the glass, so even if it did anything, which it doesn’t, ingesting it isn’t a part of the mezcal drinking process.
In addition, many brands take pride in making worm-free mezcal as the worm is taken as a sign that the mezcal is of poor quality, though that is not the case in the modern era.
What Happens When You Eat The Worm In Tequila?
First of all, good luck finding one. Tequila doesn’t have a worm; mezcal does, sometimes. The worm in mezcal isn’t meant to be ingested and is left intact at the bottom of the glass.
It’s nothing more than a marketing ploy to increase the sales of certain mezcal brands, so not all mezcal brands come with the worm.
Anyway, don’t expect anything spectacular to happen if you’re curious and decide to give it a whirl. There will be no hallucinations or tripping.
You will feel a slimy, soft, meaty substance on your tongue with a bland flavor gravitating toward unpleasantness.
If you bite into it, it will be slightly crunchy and hard to chew, and it’s no wonder it serves only for aesthetic appeal, if you can even call it that.
What Is the Best Mezcal With Worm?
One of the most well-known brands is Gusano Rojo, which means “red worm.”
The Gusano Rojo brand claims to be among the first brands producing mezcal with a worm. However, the worm doesn’t make the brand one of the best mezcal producers.
Other brands with a worm in their bottles include Monte Alban, Zignum, and El Recuerdo de Oaxaca. However, only Gusano Rojo openly claims and takes pride in producing their mezcal with a worm.
Tequila With Worm Near Me
You will never find tequila with a worm near you, as such a thing doesn’t exist.
What you can find with a worm, though, is mezcal. Mezcal is available in liqueur stores, supermarkets, as well as online. Nevertheless, you may have a hard time finding one that has a worm in it near you, as not all the labels state this fact.
Gusano Rojo is a brand that produces mezcal with a worm, so it should be a sure thing if you can find a bottle.
Tequila With Worm Price
You can’t know the price of tequila with a worm because there’s no such thing.
If you want a drink with a worm, mezcal is the one you want. The worm mezcal comes at affordable prices, so if you have a limited budget, you can find it for under $10.
If you are willing to pay more, there are worm mezcal brands that go over $100. Generally, the worm mezcal average price ranges from $7-8 to $150.
Monte Alban Mezcal With Worm Tequila
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Monte Alban is mezcal with worm, not tequila. It’s probably the widest-distributed mezcal and one of the most popular ones.
It has a very delicious flavor, somewhere between tequila and whiskey. It’s initially crisp, fruity, rich in the middle, and smoky and leathery.
If you want to dip your toe in mezcal, Monte Alban is a great choice.
Is The Worm In Tequila Alive?
Tequila doesn’t have a worm, but mezcal does. If you’re worried you will see the little sucker moving and crawling up your glass, rest assured that it won’t happen.
The worm in mezcal couldn’t be less alive, so you’re good to go.
