The worm in the bottom of mezcal has a very special purpose and you'll never guess what it is. 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. Very sweet. For now, it seems safe to say that your mezcal will not go bad from having too much air in the bottle. The race is on." 'That drink can't be rum and coke' Flowers. Our personal recommendations are El Cortijo reposado con gusano and Wahaka reposado con gusano. 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. Impossible to tell without actually having it in front of me, but generally, it should be ok as long as nothing entered the bottle. Acetaldehyde is present in a distilled mezcal. Here are ten of the best mezcals for sipping. Learn all about the latest and greatest spirits. This is why all tequila comes from Jalisco. As the name suggests, it also included the worm.. However, it does affect the mezcal's flavor profile. How Tequila Differs From Mezcal Tequila and mezcal both originate from Mexico and are made from agave, a form of succulent that grows in the Mexican desert. My theory is that the mezcal with gusano has its origin shortly after the Mexican Revolution, he says. Notes of chocolate, rose pedals. First things first: The "worm" at the bottom of some bottles of mezcal isn't actually a worm, as noted by Vice. 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. The worm is actually a larva that lives on the agave plant. In a 2010 study published in Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, a team of researchers administered a pure citronellol extract to rats to see what effect it had on the rodents' blood pressure. Created by workers? Through the haze, I remembered that mezcal is not tequila, and that, at the bottom of some bottles, you may find a worm. The precious agave juice is too precious to throw away As we know, the heads and tails get mixed back into the 2nd distillations. A inicios de 2015, co-fund Agavache para promover los destilados mexicanos de Agave desde una perspectiva de identidad cultural y responsabilidad social. "Now we're seeing triple-digit growth. More notes of dates and hickory. Tyler, Less pungent on the nose. Of the four mezcals included in this tasting, we preferred the Excess-air mezcal for three of them. 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). . can I leave it out now and drink as it was supposed to be room temp? The word "mezcal" comes from the term mexcalli. Have you noticed differences in bottles that have been open for extended periods of time? 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. I recently picked up a Real Minero Espadin (batch #L-00401) with a harvest date of 2008. Does mezcal have a worm? Damian Meneses of El Tigre speculates that the gusano was probably dropped into mezcal bottles long before it was commercialized. If the specimens have a soft body (such as worms), they wrote in Agricultura Tcnica en Mexico, Volume 1, they should be placed in a bottle with alcohol, tequila, mezcal, or 10% formalin. 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. It's a common urban legend that tequila comes with a worm in the bottle. And while mezcal is generally less popular than tequila, at least in the U.S., it does seem to be on the rise thanks to bartenders and mixologists experimenting with it in a whole range of mixed drinks, as well as its competence as a little sipper served neat. I have 250s, 750s and 1L bottles. Recuerdo Mezcal is one of the few recent mezcal brands to embrace the gusano. Does mezcal with worm go bad? Tequila is actually a kind of mezcal, in the same way that Cognac is a type of brandy. 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. Chemically, mezcal and tequila are both similar and different. 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. Jacobo Lozano Paez of Gusano Rojowas the brains behind the mezcal worm marketing ploy. 2: It Gives The Power To The Drinker. Those curious enough to try a mezcal can buy their own bottles from Wine . The most common is espadin, which can be cultivated on farms. However, Oaxaca (a southern state of Mexico) is where most of . And then theres xumilin. As well, the competing brand Legitimo Mezcal de Oaxaca con su Propio Gusano (yeah, thats a mouthful) was trademarked in 1944. Overall, the Mezcalero No. Strong tastes of alcohol. Chris, Strong aromas of corn, a bit of nail polish, coffee, and maple pecan. In Mexico, the gusano can be considered a delicacy when prepared properly. 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. Chris, Strong notes of green pepper, coffee, jalapeno, lavender, and mint. ADVERTISEMENT Yet for the export market producers have found that wormless mezcal has no appeal. The fact that the gusanos were presented for eating and yet show up nowhere as being in the mezcal suggests that, possibly until the 1940s, no one was putting gusanos into mezcal for commercial purposes. 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. On the other hand, a 2010 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that heavy consumption of alcohol in general has a pro-inflammatory effect throughout the body. Tastes of grilled elote. However, under Mexican law the only distilled liquor of the agave plant that can be called tequila is the liquor distilled from the blue agave plant. Is it? 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. Farnesol, a terpene in mezcal, may have anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2018 paper published in the journal Molecules. Whiskey connoisseur? But until Mariano Azuelas 1949 novel Sendas Perdidas, all published references I could find that include both mezcal and gusano are separate and culinary in nature; basically, somebody went to Mexico, drank some mezcal and ate some gusanos. 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. Unfortunately, you'd be hard put to find a bottle of mezcal in the US that has a worm in . It's the caterpillar form of a species of moth that lives in agave plants. Of those, slightly more than half (51 percent) reported also feeling depressed, and 61 percent reported feelings of anxiety. Citronellol is a terpene found in agave, as well as many other plants. Here's what you need to know about the worms in tequila or mezcal bottles. You'll pick up a gentle smokiness that makes the Mezquila great for adventurous . According to him, theres some sound science to the fact that mezcal would change over time, but we wanted some experiential evidence that it would indeed change for the better. It didn't start appearing in commercialbottles until the 1940s or 50s, right around the time American tourists started to get hooked on the stuff. Honestly, nothing is certain regarding the inclusion of the worm, which is actually a moth's larva, but it does make the drinker seem like a toughie drinking it. Mezcal can be made from over 25 types of agave . 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. Like the Elote, the Excess-air mezcal was our favorite for the Rey Campero Tepextate. Although their experiment was performed on mice, it's possible that agave fructans could have the same impact on humans. Huckberrys Entire Sale Section Is an Extra 15% Off. In this way the insects will be kept moist and in case the bottle breaks in the mail, there is no danger of the liquid spilling out.. We should do a really special Mezcal. They found that limonene did possess anti-tumor effects, but this experiment was limited to cells grown in a laboratory. 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. If you're among thefive percent of Americans who identify as vegetarian or three percent who follow a vegan lifestyle, you'll need to do your research before opening up a new bottle of mezcal. Thanks for the insight. The world of agave spirits is so vast, it doesn't have a name. 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. "Mezcals with the worm have a greater amount of unsaturated compounds and unsaturated alcohols such as cis-3-Hexen-1-ol.". It is similar to tequila, but has a smoky flavor. Mezcal owes much of its reputation as a "healthy" spirit to the agave plant from which it's distilled. I mean, the proof is in the pudding/nosing and then tasting ? How can read about examples of modern day brands using the mezcal worm here. Hey guys, I just read this not sure if I saw it the first time! It's free. 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.Apr 20, 2021 What proof should mezcal be? But I love the experiment, and I am not surprised by the result. As I drink down more of my open bottles, I am discovering this. According to the Mayo Clinic, congeners are compounds that increase the likelihood and severity of a hangover. BOWEN, Sarah (2015), Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal and The politics of production, University of California Press, California, USA. His pride in the liquor is almost as bright and clear as the drink itself. Your shot amigo. These crystals can disrupt the proper functioning of nerves, connective tissue, the intestinal tract, and especially the kidneys and bladder. Your email address will not be published. By Justin Kirkland Published: Jan 25, 2022 Max Barsness. I can attest to that, too. 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. Mezcal must be produced under the country's Denomination of Origin (DO). More mellow but less exciting. Jonny. Liquid error (sections/article-related-products line 2): Could not find asset snippets/spurit_po2_section_snippet.liquid. Each is made using 100 percent Blue Weber agave, which is between seven and nine . "Tequila and mezcals have most of the same components, like ethanol, ethyl acetate, heavy alcohols, etc., but they can have variations in how much they contain," he said. Some of the ingredients in even smaller concentrations can affect the aromas and taste. While they're found in all alcoholic beverages, dark liquors have higher concentrations of congeners than clear spirits. Ive heard that the alcohol vapors in liquor prevent the cork from drying more than wine corks, but Im not sure if this is confirmed. Sometimes thats for medicinal purposes, where the adjunct is most often plants; sometimes its for ceremonial or celebratory purposes, where its most often fruits and proteins, such as turkey or chicken. They are aged in oak barrels and the worm intensifies their aromatic profile. Notes of white pepper, salt, corn nuts. Softer palate. Crazy about gin? Opinions on the subject tend to vary greatly, but there seem to be three main positions that people take: Our friend Mezcal PhD tells us that mezcal will likely improve over time. Unraveling mezcal's mysteries with chemistry is all well and good, but for De Len, there are some pleasures that just can't be explained. Over time, this damages the cells in a process called oxidative stress. I started to wonder whether the rumors were true. 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. And although mezcal con gusano is less than 8% of whats on the market today, its still fairly common for people to think of mezcal as that stuff with the worm. Which begs the question. This belief seems to be held by many in the industry, and weve spoken to several users of this website who prefer to re-bottle their mezcal to a smaller glass bottle (like a dram or something similar) once the original bottle gets below that 25% threshold. 1: Worms In Mezcal Add Flavor To The Drink. Curious about why you sometimes feel awful the morning after drinking? Was it too hot initially, and mellowed over time? For those unfamiliar with the Aged-in-Glass or Madurado style, this refers to the aging of mezcal in glass after it is distilled. Remember that it is not the authentic Mezcal: the worm adds flavor and usually it masks lousy flavors. "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. Its never been opened. He had it on his bar forever. According to Anthony Dias Blue 's Complete Book of Spirits, that "worm" is. Yes, both tequila and mezcal are similar, so its easy to see how the mistake can be madebut there is no worm in tequila. We know that Mezcal with a worm is an intriging topic and well give you some advise because, Yes, of course! Salud! Im not rushing to open my stash of unobtaniums with silicone stoppers, but given whats happened to some of my Bordeaux with dried out corks, its time to open the Marca Negra Dobadan and possibly the older Del Maguey although they have the wax seals. 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. We werent sure. Regardless of the vapors, Id think that tipping the bottles on their side once or twice a year should be enough to keep the cork moist enough to keep a good seal. To be clear, thats speculative. Yes, when it comes to Mezcal, the worm at the bottom of the bottle has grown beyond a cultural phenomenon and into a world-renowned icon of sorts. Even today, the marketing gimmick still helps separate themselves from the other producers. Overall, the El Jolgorio Barril showed slight differences between the two different aged mezcals. Despite the ick factor, the gusano de maguey at the bottom of a bottle of mezcal what we know as the worm is actually a very healthy snack. His theory is based on what he's seen in his native Guerrero with another pest: the xumilin, or chumilin, a sort of south-of-the-border stinkbug. But if you're one of the many Americans abstaining from gluten, there's no need to give up mezcal. The simplest way to think about it, explains Sydney Block, co-founder of Catedral Mi Padre Mezcal, is that all tequila is mezcal but not all mezcal is tequila. In parts of Guerrero, theyll occasionally throw one into a mezcal bottle in the same way the Oaxacans throw in the gusano. People began to believe that finding one of these "tequila worms" was a . The price sheets at Real Minero and other palenques are much the same and there is rarely much of a volume discount at the mercado. While people who drink mezcal every night may like to highlight the spirit's purity, mezcal, like all alcoholic beverages, contains the chemical ethyl carbamate, which has been linked to various types of lung, liver, and blood cancer. Mezcal (or mescal) is the same as thing as tequila, but it is not tequila at all. It is mezcal or mescal. Get InsideHook in your inbox. Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from any type of agave plant. The best place to find and buy worm salt online is here. The ovens are deep pits lined with lava rocks that are . And some agavero kept putting off sending in his gusano sampleand then finally drank it? But the worm doesn't just affect the marketing;it actuallychanges the drink's chemistry, De Len said. To a great extent, this is all speculation. JANZEN, Emma (2017), Mezcal: The history, craft & cocktails of the worlds ultimate artisanal spirit, Quarto Publishing Group, Minneapolis, USA. Which is how it ended up drowned in a bottle of mezcal. At any rate, love your passion and commitment!! A bit of nail polish on the palate as well. Jonny, Strong notes and aromas. As Im sure you can imagine, the toughest part of this experiment was intentionally leaving these delicious bottles on the shelf (even when theyre hidden in the back of the closet). I really appreciate how a good bottle will hide the high alcohol content. Likely, youve wondered whats up with the worm? Then Ron Cooper educated us about heritage agave spirits with his Del Maguey Mezcal. This particular agave plant grows in Jalisco, Mexico. 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. In this post, we will try to unearth some more interesting facts behind the best mezcal with worms. I spent a weekend in Mexico City and drank too much mezcal. But if this response keeps going long after the initial injury is gone, it can cause the immune system to get confused and start attacking healthy tissue. Tequila is also. Mezcal bottles with tequila worms are not uncommon. Green apple, pear, and lime-lemon predominate its primary aromas. Its a good selling point that it doesnt turn bad like wine. Casamigos tequila takes things slow. Many people believe it tastes like chicken, but we tried it and found it had a flavor similar to almonds. Limonene, one of the terpenes found in mezcal, could have cancer-fighting properties. First things first: The "worm" at the bottom of some bottles of mezcal isn't actually a worm, as noted by Vice . Designed by JOHO Marketing. Heres What to Buy. Oaxaca, Durango, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacn, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas are allowed by law. Great little experiment that you guys did,, and the results are very encouraging to those like myself who have amassed a nice little collection of bottles, but just dabble in them over the course of time. When everyone who has a barn is firing up their still and making mezcal or tequila, how do you get people to buy yours? In fact, inflammation can be both a good and a bad thing, depending on how long it lasts, as noted by Harvard Medical School. There is no "worm" at the bottom of a Tequila bottle. Whats your ritual for keeping mezcal after the bottle is opened (assuming you dont just drink it)? I have a sealed bottle of Mezcal I gave to my dad 30 years ago. Your note about dried corks is an interesting one to consider. Yep, add a tasty, wiggly snack the Red Maguey Worm. Terpenes serve numerous functions in plants, from attracting pollinators to helping to repair damage, but many are also bioactive in humans and may have positive health effects, including positive influences on "mood and stress levels.". 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. While it's true that both liquors are made from agave, there are a few key differences that set mezcal apart. Very little difference between the two. Tyler, Similar notes on the nose but more like cornmeal than pancakes. But if you spot a worm in the mezcal bottle, take a pass. Mezcalero No. Your body just recognizes the difference." The gusano, or worm, at the bottom of a bottle of cheap mezcal is actually moth larva. First, its not really a worm. Weve seen several threads on Facebook, Reddit, and elsewhere over the years that have asked this question. Mezcalero No. Mezcal Reviews on Instagram, Copyright 2016-2023 Mezcalerbro LLC Privacy Statement Terms of Use, Hacienda de Bauelos and Derrumbes Zacatecas, Mezcalosfera Tobala/Verde/Madrecuixe/Cuixe/Espadin Felipe Corts, Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will stay the same or actually improve, Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will improve to a certain point, but then go bad if there is too little mezcal left in the bottle, Mezcal left in a bottle that has been opened will eventually go bad. If your bottle has a worm, it will be mezcal, and probably very ordinary mezcal. What perfect timing for this blog. Im curious if you recall specific characteristics about your least favorite that changed/improved over time. "Mezcal just makes you happy," he said. Or sometimes two. Most are produced from the espadn variety of agave and are 'joven mezcals' (young/unaged); unlike with tequila, joven mezcal is ready to be sipped. It may also have been made before that, but it became far more generalized after the revolution. The legend of the worm is still debated. 1.It's the best way to drink mezcal as the Mexicans do Just like following a shot of tequila with a slurp of lemon wedge and a lick of salt, reddish spice sal de Gusano (worm salt) is often. But what is really going on with that worm on the bottle's ground floor? "The only mezcal you used to be able to buy was the one with the worm in the bottle," he said. I find that its very similar to tequila. Another mention about the worm is in Sara Bowens research Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal and The politics of production. If you've had kidney stones in the past or are particularly concerned about your renal health, you may not want to drink mezcal every night. 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. I like making a rotation with what im drinking (and small amounts at a time) so ill have several bottles over the next several years that fall will into the category of your experiment. Pairings with El Jolgorio and Rey Campero mezcals. Sour on the back end. But what exactly are terpenes? Id agreed that a 2yr experiment like this would probably provide more noticeable differences. Follow @mezcalreviews Picture source: 21food.com. While worms do live in agave leaves, adding one to a bottle of mezcal is not standard practice, according to a 2015 article from Maxim. Worm salt is most commonly used during mezcal tastings but it can also be used for rimming mezcal cocktails and Mexican cooking as well. No sour finish. Before sending the copies to our offices, add inside the container enough cotton or Kleenex paper to absorb the liquid. While questions about the aging of mezcal in opened bottles is an active debate, the community seems decided on the aging of mezcal in closed (never-opened) bottles and/or in larger glass demijans. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. While the first 2 or 3 glasses taste bad, once you reach 4 and upwards you kind of get used to itprobably is that being tipsy helps. Its also interesting to note that you dont see mezcal con gusano being made outside of Oaxaca. How to tell if mezcal has gone bad? Could one of these factors have made the difference? In 2020 he married all of his loves and created a business bringing amazing pieces from all over Mexico to the United States. The thought behind the gesture is that a high proof, high-quality spirit would preserve the insect and prevent it from rotting.