Interesting and funny that I did kinda the same thing with 4 Rey Campero Espadin bottles of different lots. It's a common urban legend that tequila comes with a worm in the bottle. Tequila fanatic? Obviously, we can verify a commercial product existed at least back in 1944, courtesy of Legitimo Mezcal, and maybe they werent the first. Traditionally the word "mezcal" has been used generally in Mexico for all agave spirits and it continues to be used for many . According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, one percent of Americans have celiac disease and 0.4 percent have a diagnosed wheat allergy. A research team examined limonene's ability to destroy lung cancer cells and published the findings in 2018 in the journal OncoTargets and Therapy. If they see it in the mezcal bottle theyll buy it. They found that limonene did possess anti-tumor effects, but this experiment was limited to cells grown in a laboratory. Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from any type of agave plant. Limonene, one of the terpenes found in mezcal, could have cancer-fighting properties. For the aejo variety, a second fermentation can raise the alcohol percentage up to about 55 percent. (While Jimenez is referring specifically to her brand, Yola Mezcal, by Mexican law, all mezcal must contain 100 percent agave.). QuiQuiRiQui Matatlan Mezcal. Cis-3-Hexen-1-ol doesn't have a sexy name, but it has some pretty sexy effects. According to Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant. That oak profile makes those Mezcales specifically suited for the worm. It adds nothing to the flavor of the liquor, most likely. Its a good selling point that it doesnt turn bad like wine. I did not realize this when I revised my book in 2018, but now I think that if there is just a little bit left in the bottle (less than 25% is a decent marker but it may need to be even lower), it will worsen over time. Like the Elote, the Excess-air mezcal was our favorite for the Rey Campero Tepextate. These atoms are very chemically unstable and will essentially steal electrons from cells in the body. After comparing mezcal and tequilain one studyand determining the best temperature for mezcal's fermentationin another, he and his colleagues turned to the worm, the gusano. Informe Consejo Regulador del Mezcal 2017 and 2020. Both spellings are correct, and everyone has their favorite it seems. The worm at the bottom of the bottle, which in popular culture is associated with tequila, is actually a mezcal tradition. The worm floating at the bottom of Mexican liquor bottles has confused many drinkers. Bottom line. Still other members of this website have written to us about noticing significant differences in older opened bottles, which theyve posited was due to oxidation and/or evaporation. Yes, both tequila and mezcal are similar, so its easy to see how the mistake can be madebut there is no worm in tequila. Tastes of grilled elote. Casamigos tequila takes things slow. "Mezcal just makes you happy," he said. Does mezcal go bad? But they were a tasty snack around Mexico. The worm in mezcal is considered by most experts to be a gimmick intended to grab the attention of tourists. It's mezcal's purity that has earned it a reputation as a "healthy" alcohol. Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. It is mezcal or mescal. When a bottle of mezcal contains a worm, the mezcal is described as being con gusano, or "with worm" in Spanish. Reasons Behind Adding Worms In Mezcal. There's often confusion about the difference between mezcal and tequila. Despite its reputation, it doesn't have any hallucinogenic properties. Should the worm be denounced, embraced or just studied to better understand mezcals history? Most likely the gusano wormed its way into these bottles to remind us that Mexicos culinary history is diverse and conflictive, informed by religion, local and global markets, regional taste, and sheer improvisation. JANZEN, Emma (2017), Mezcal: The history, craft & cocktails of the worlds ultimate artisanal spirit, Quarto Publishing Group, Minneapolis, USA. Heres another theory: The Mexican government asked farmers to send them samples of bugs that plagued their crops. Another mention about the worm is in Sara Bowens research Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal and The politics of production. Id agreed that a 2yr experiment like this would probably provide more noticeable differences. At best, you may get a little more of a buzz because the mezcal has been absorbed into the worm. Yes, some bottles of mezcal include a creepy crawly surprise at the bottom, but no, it won't make you hallucinate if you drink mezcal and eat it. Stop. Much softer and bit lighter on the palate. So far, there's no evidence it has the same effect on humans. Likely, youve wondered whats up with the worm? You'll pick up a gentle smokiness that makes the Mezquila great for adventurous . Follow @mezcalreviews I've never heard of a worm adding anything to a mezcal, neither texture nor taste, but presumably the implication is that the colour comes from the . To make this unique style of mezcal, distillers hang a raw chicken breast ("pechuga" in Spanish) inside the still during the distillation process, according to Wine Enthusiast. What you drank was most likely Mezcal with doubtful quality and it affects the reputation of authentic mezcal. Mezcaleroes are loosing me as a customer Im headed back over to the sweet cooked agave (additive free) Tequila camp. Tequila Semantics: Does Tequila Have A Worm In It Is The Worm In Tequila Alive Mezcal with a jar of worms First of all, does tequila have a worm in it? More mellow. Chris, Still strong aromas. Jacobo Lozano Paez of Gusano Rojowas the brains behind the mezcal worm marketing ploy. Stronger aromas on this one, but very short finish. Jonny, Cinnamon, cotton candy, lingering pepper jerky finish. Tyler, More mellow nose and aromas. All the . Unfortunately, you'd be hard put to find a bottle of mezcal in the US that has a worm in . The worm has all sorts of mystical powers, people told me. Fattened on sweet agave nectar, they might be sauted and folded into warm tortillas or toasted and ground up with rock salt and . Picture source: 21food.com. It is produced by extracting the heart of the agave plant, roasting it and mashing it to a pulp, then. This is the larva of the moth that lives in the heart of the agave plant. So on October 18, 2019 (seven months later), we performed a blind tasting, where we compared the original bottle with excess-air with the no-air re-bottled mezcal. And awesome. Are you still interested in learning more? Slightly muted flavor notes but mostly the same. Chris, Muted aromas. The growing popularity of mezcal that is aged-in-glass clearly emphasizes the importance of time on how distilled agave can settle and build structure long after it has left the still. So, if your friends dare you to eat the gusano de maguey after a night of drinking and you're feeling particularly bold (or maybe just drunk), don't be afraid to give it a try. The thought behind the gesture is that a high proof, high-quality spirit would preserve the insect and prevent it from rotting. Mezcal is any ol' type of agave liquor. A team of molecular biologists study the chemical composition of mezcal and tequila. ADVERTISEMENT Yet for the export market producers have found that wormless mezcal has no appeal. This particular agave plant grows in Jalisco, Mexico. However, since the alcohol content of Mezcal and tequila is usually in the same range of 38% to 55% ABV, the shelf life of the two is roughly the same. Some purists believe the combination of citrus and salt is too intense on the palate if the goal is to savor the nuances of fine sipping mezcal, but this is still a very common botana . But why the gusano? Hes also the co-host of Agave Road Trip (with Chava Periban), a podcast that helps bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits and rural Mexico, and the author of El Gusano, a comic book about a boy who transforms into a human-sized gusano. By Heather Clark / April 16, 2020 10:19 am EST. Because the worms are safe to consume, there are no known side effects from eating them. Yes!!!! "We're working on a few new studies to guarantee that these Mexican alcoholic beverages are of high quality the way others have done for beverages like vodka and whisky," he said. And awesome. Is it safe to drink? Unfortunately, they didnt taste very good, but maybe they werent really all that enjoyable to begin with? Strong tastes of alcohol. Chris, Strong aromas of corn, a bit of nail polish, coffee, and maple pecan. In a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Dr. Dirk W. Lachenmeier and colleagues analyzed the ethyl carbamate levels of mezcal, tequila, and other agave-based alcoholic beverages. Mezcal is one class of those spirits. He says; "If you open your bottles once a year or so and let new air in (assuming you did not drink it all), the mezcal will improve over time. Lou Bank is the founder of SACRED, a not-for-profit corporation that helps improve the quality of life in the rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. I find that its very similar to tequila. This seems to vary pretty widely, but many have a tradition or practice for dealing with low bottles. To consume a tequila worm, you must first take a shot of the alcoholic beverage with it. And then theres xumilin. 2: It Gives The Power To The Drinker. If you've been around enough mezcal, you'll start to notice that it's only the low-end bottles that still have the worm floating ominously at the bottom. While mezcal can be made from any number of agave plants, tequila can only be made from blue agave, which means that tequila is technically a mezcal. I have a sealed bottle of Mezcal I gave to my dad 30 years ago. Are gusanos a gimmick, a tradition, a resource to maximize flavor or one to mask imperfections in the mezcal? I believe you would have found this if you had let your experiment run for 2 yrs or so, maybe less, but 7 months seems too short. People love to eat the worm live or roasted. It began in 1950, the art school student who became a mezcal maker included moth larvae in bottles to distinguish his mezcal brand from others. In fact, inflammation can be both a good and a bad thing, depending on how long it lasts, as noted by Harvard Medical School. It cemented the idea in the male western mind that Mezcal with a worm was in fact, the real Mezcal. Is mezcal healthier than tequila? He sparked the worlds interest in the breadth and depth of traditional mezcal. "Many alcohols have a ton of sugar and other chemicals. The best way to enjoy it is to eat is separately or even cut it into halves and share it with your friends. So, back to the drowned worm. Before the mezcal boom of the 1990's most bottles of commercially produced mezcal that was available in the United States had a worm in the bottle. And many are really starting to take notice. Very sweet. The race is on." 'That drink can't be rum and coke' Flowers. However, Oaxaca (a southern state of Mexico) is where most of . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); With a database of over 1,500 bottles, Mezcal Reviews is the best place to find and review mezcal, destilados, sotol, raicilla, and more. Now, this call for grubs was published in 1955, well after Legitimo Mezcal was in the market. Because mezcal sounds like mescaline,. Mexican Appetizers are a Delightful Way to Start Your Meal, What is Mezcal and What You Should Know About That Worm, The Truth About the Tequila Worm in the Bottom of the Bottle. Given how often Ive been told that gusanos are an aphrodisiac, it doesnt take a great leap to imagine that someone, somewhere, would have thrown some gusanos into their finished mezcal to make a medicinal extract for erectile dysfunction vino de Viagra, if you will. Tyler and I both have dozens of unopened bottles in deep storage in the back of our closets, saving these special bottles for some unknown future event, probably several years from now. The mezcal worm is also used as a rite of passage when drinking mezcal with friends. So we know that time can play an integral role in improving mezcal, but what about other elements, like the amount of air in the bottle and the oxygenation and/or evaporation process that occurs when theres very little mezcal left in the bottle? Neither study focused on mezcal specifically, but it looks like your favorite Mexican spirit may be a double-edged sword when it comes to inflammation. Your email address will not be published. Even today, the marketing gimmick still helps separate themselves from the other producers. First things first: The "worm" at the bottom of some bottles of mezcal isn't actually a worm, as noted by Vice. Chemically, mezcal and tequila are both similar and different. There is a law in Jalisco, Mexico - where ALL Tequilas originate and are controlled very carefully - which makes it illegal to put any insect or larvae into a bottle of Tequila. To make it, you toast the worms and grind them up with sea salt and . We also asked co-founder of Mezcal Vago, Judah Kuper, the same question last year. But what exactly are terpenes? The younger one looked at his drink and said, you know what we should do? And now, here are five mezcal con gusanos I recommend: For more tips and tricks from the worlds best bartenders, sign up for The Spill, a weekly guide to imbibing all good spirits. But, Im convinced the more expensive bottles (like $150 and up) house mostly only the hearts (the less conengers laden part) for both distillations. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, Liquid error (sections/article-related-products line 1): Could not find asset snippets/spurit_po2_section_snippet.liquid Yep, add a tasty, wiggly snack the Red Maguey Worm. Thats what most of the world thought mezcal was a couple of decades ago, because thats all that was available outside the rural Mexican communities where its made. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that all Mexican spirits distilled from agave, including mezcal, had high concentrations of oxalates. Short finish. Similar tasting notes but less pronounced. However, some people do really enjoy eating the worm and others will be adamant in telling you that the little guy does give you special powers. Some stories claim theworm was added to some bottles of mezcal to demonstrate its purity. As far as the aged-in-glass goes, we find that the longer the mezcal sits (unopened), the more balanced and integrated it becomes. If you're following a plant-based diet and want to try one of these brands, be sure to check the label carefully to make sure no meat was used in the distillation process. Some have posited that oxygen or oxidization would have a negative impact on the spirits over time. More balanced and mellow. Jonny. 1: Worms In Mezcal Add Flavor To The Drink. According to a survey conducted in 2018 by the Mental Health Foundation, 74 percent of Americans felt so stressed they were "overwhelmed or unable to cope." Huckberrys Entire Sale Section Is an Extra 15% Off. Hey guys, I just read this not sure if I saw it the first time! Or thrown some of the gusanos that live off their agave into the still to make a pechuga that forces the grubs to earn their keep. Thats a question for a future tasting. Notes of chocolate, rose pedals. Thanks for the insight. When that larva isnt busy in the agave plant becoming a moth then it is sold as a tasty snack. To a great extent, this is all speculation. Here's what you need to know about the worms in tequila or mezcal bottles. Its common to mix pulque with fruits to make what they call curados, a beverage that would dethrone smoothies as the fitness drink of choice if it werent so volatile. But the worm doesn't just affect the marketing;it actuallychanges the drink's chemistry, De Len said. In a 2006 paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Dr. Antonio De Len-Rodrguez and colleagues took a close look at the chemical makeup of mezcal. Greg is a lover of agave spirits, handicrafts, and barware. If theyre sealed, they should be fine, and theyll likely get better as they age. Richards pointed out that, although the distillation process should, in theory, destroy the gluten in alcohols produced from grains like wheat and rye, "cross contamination and tiny gluten proteins surviving the process may lead to a reaction in some." So it's best to stick with an alcohol that's naturally gluten-free, like mezcal. How can read about examples of modern day brands using the mezcal worm here. In fairness, it is entirely possible that there are bottles of mezcal with worms that are not too bad. The palate is like a basket full of fresh peppers. The gusano is there to tell us that agave spirits are and have always been in flux. (Technically, this makes tequila a type of mezcal.) What happens when you eat the worm in mezcal? I've learned that people who repeat these things are usually just trying to get someone to eat the worm, and they're lying. Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will eventually go bad Our friend Mezcal PhD tells us that mezcal will likely improve over time. To be clear, all tequilas are mezcals but not all mezcals are tequilas. Once a bottle of mezcal is opened, the contents may begin to evaporate slowly and some flavor may be lost over time, but the mezcal will remain safe to consume if it has been stored properly. We all preferred the No-air mezcal as it was a bit bolder and held a strong punch with its various notes and characteristics. They are aged in oak barrels and the worm intensifies their aromatic profile. While the scientists didn't examine the eugenol in mezcal specifically, it's likely that eugenol from any source would have this effect. It is added to the mezcal during the distilling process and is said to add to . To further complicate the matter, tequila is a special type of mezcal. Some of the ingredients in even smaller concentrations can affect the aromas and taste. I do notice subtle differences; however, Im at the point where I never want to waste my money on any expression that has an acetone, overly alcohol, or leathery smell, from the get go. Much softer and more delicate than the first. Jonny. She points out the Mezcal brand Gusano Rojo (Red worm) who initiated the adding of worms to Mezcal, when in 1950 a employee got the idea to drop a worm into each bottle as a distinctive touch. Some wild . We should do a really special Mezcal. His theory was that mezcal would continue to improve until the bottle would get down to about 25% full, at which time he suggested that you should just drink the remaining mezcal because it would start to drastically change (presumably for the worse). Required fields are marked *, Copyright 2017. One caveat: Sipping straight mezcal is safe, but, if you want to try a mezcal cocktail, you'll need to double-check that the other ingredients are also gluten-free. Chronic inflammation has been implicated in a number of conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. There are many more 250ml bottles in Oaxaca these days. They had all been open for a little over a year and all the bottles had just over 25% left. It's easy to see why it was an apt gimmick for touristsit appears both exotic and traditional, and givesdudes a testing ground for their masculinity. The "gusano" in a mezcal bottle has a varied history. When You Drink Mezcal Every Night, This Is What Happens To Your Body, it doesn't have any hallucinogenic properties, mezcal contains a terpene called geraniol, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), what happens to your body when you have a hangover. So sometimes the workers will drop a xumilin in the mezcal. So maybe its kind of like ad hoc spice done on the fly (pun intended) for your mezcal? A bit funky with some burnt notes on the back of the palate. Tyler, Notes of ash and firewood on the nose and palate. Chris, Alcohol on the nose. But you dont have to go the four-star route to find gusanos on the menu in Mexico theyve been a staple for centuries. Mezcal is a transparent liquor made from distilled agave, a spiky-looking desert plant. So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. While dispelling myths, this is not a hallucinogenic spirit. So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. Tequila has strict guidelines of bottling and production. So, choosing to drink mezcal every night in moderation may be something to consider. We noticed this more on the nose than on the palate, with more of the aromas in the No-air mezcal being more pronounced and bold. In a study published in Physiology & Behavior in 2015, a team of researchers led by Dr. Xue-Yang Deng examined the effect geraniol had when administered to mice who were experiencing "chronic" and "unpredictable" stress, though "mild." Tequila is also. What perfect timing for this blog. All rights reserved. However, branding is harder to shake - even though . We poured the four bottles of mezcal into smaller air tight 250ml glass containers. Emma Janzen in her book, Mezcal: The history, craft & cocktails of the worlds ultimate artisanal spirit, writes that some time ago, the little larvae represented an alcohol degree measure, because if the worm remained intact inside the liquid, the proof was high enough for preservation. Mezcal is a type of Mexican liquor that is made from the agave plant. Barrel aging typically removes the more vegetal notes of the agave and replaces them with notes of the wood, like caramel, brown sugar, or vanilla. While this is encouraging news for people (like us) who have dozens of bottles open at any given time, its intriguing that the Mezcalero No. Some releases will be aged in glass for upwards of two or three years before being bottled for sales and general consumption. You guys write about this in your review for the bottle. For De Len and his team, the next step in studying mezcal will be to help fight for quality. The fat and juices from the chicken add a savory undertone to the mezcal, while collagen from the meat gives it a more "robust mouthfeel.". The worm gives it flavor, he shared. Im looking forward to being in OAX again next month. As you stated from my book, I do believe the taste will generally improve over time, but I agree with Judah that this has its limits. Did the flavor change for the better? In the article, Fausto Zapata, a co-founder of El Silencio mezcal, explains that adding a worm was just a marketing tactic to get more people to try, or be dared to try, mezcal. The ovens are deep pits lined with lava rocks that are . He says; If you open your bottles once a year or so and let new air in (assuming you did not drink it all), the mezcal will improve over time. Of those, slightly more than half (51 percent) reported also feeling depressed, and 61 percent reported feelings of anxiety. Camille Austin, the global portfolio ambassador for Casa Lumbre Spirits, sang the praises of the agave plant in a 2019 interview with Maxim: "It is a plant that is made up of many organic compounds, or terpenes, commonly known as essential oils, that lend to the herbal, citrus and fruity flavors, as well as the 'magical' feeling we get when we drink mezcal. 14 intentionally left for seven months with very little remaining in the bottle. You could probably add a couple of cocktail ingredients to your list of foods you didn't know contain gluten. Learn more. At least one valid email address is required. Our theory was that the air in the original bottle would have some impact on the aromas, flavor, and complexity of the mezcal over time. These crystals can disrupt the proper functioning of nerves, connective tissue, the intestinal tract, and especially the kidneys and bladder. Palate has beets and root vegetables with a bit of cigarette ash. Jonny, Very similar but more mellow with fewer of the burnt notes present. Tyler, Almost identical nose and palate but a bit more blended in flavor. Chris, Softer nose. Individuals are exposed to ethyl carbamate largely through drinking alcoholic beverages.