Is it still possible to buy Tequila with the worm in it?

Question

If so where? I have heard that they no longer make it that way and nearly impossible to find. I haven't seen any in some time now.

Answer 1

There is no worm in Mexican-bottled tequila. Yes, some American-bottled brand(s) put one in their bottle to impress the gringos and boost sales, but it's only a marketing ploy and not a Mexican tradition. There is a worm - called a gusano, properly a butterfly caterpillar (Hipopta Agavis) - in some types of mezcal (but not all). You may also get a small bag of 'worm salt' - dried gusano, salt and chile powder tied to a mezcal bottle.

The worm-in-the-bottle myth is old and tired. The truth has been broadcast and expounded for years by the cognoscenti of tequila, in newspapers, magazines and on the Net. There should be no need to defend tequila; we should not have to dispel this myth further. It is merely an urban legend.

Is the worm even a traditional element in mezcal production? Not according to Del Maguey Mezcal producers: they say it's a recent development, a marketing ploy that appeared only in the 1940s to try and get more attention on mezcal - and they should know. It's worth reading their story at: www.mezcal.com/worms.html.

There are two types of gusano in mezcal: the red (gusano rojo - considered superior because it lives in the root and heart of the maguey) and the less-prized white or gold (gusano de oro), which lives on the leaves. The red gusano turns pale in the mezcal, the gold turns ashen-grey. Both larvae are commonly eaten as food and are sold in Zapotec markets.

Yes, you're supposed to eat the worm in mezcal. Don't worry: it's quite well pickled and free of pesticides (they're often raised just for use in mezcal, cooked and pickled in alcohol for a year). But dispel any idea it has any magical or psychotropic properties, that it's an aphrodisiac or the key to an 'unseen world.' It's merely protein and alcohol - but it's very rich in imagery.

Answer 2

"There is no worm in Mexican-bottled tequila. Yes, some American-bottled brand(s) put one in their bottle to impress the gringos and boost sales, but it's only a marketing ploy and not a Mexican tradition. There is a worm - called a gusano, properly a butterfly caterpillar (Hipopta Agavis) - in some types of mezcal (but not all). You may also get a small bag of 'worm salt' - dried gusano, salt and chile powder tied to a mezcal bottle.

The worm-in-the-bottle myth is old and tired. The truth has been broadcast and expounded for years by the cognoscenti of tequila, in newspapers, magazines and on the Net. There should be no need to defend tequila; we should not have to dispel this myth further. It is merely an urban legend.

Is the worm even a traditional element in mezcal production? Not according to Del Maguey Mezcal producers: they say it's a recent development, a marketing ploy that appeared only in the 1940s to try and get more attention on mezcal - and they should know. It's worth reading their story at: www.mezcal.com/worms.html.

There are two types of gusano in mezcal: the red (gusano rojo - considered superior because it lives in the root and heart of the maguey) and the less-prized white or gold (gusano de oro), which lives on the leaves. The red gusano turns pale in the mezcal, the gold turns ashen-grey. Both larvae are commonly eaten as food and are sold in Zapotec markets.

Yes, you're supposed to eat the worm in mezcal. Don't worry: it's quite well pickled and free of pesticides (they're often raised just for use in mezcal, cooked and pickled in alcohol for a year). But dispel any idea it has any magical or psychotropic properties, that it's an aphrodisiac or the key to an 'unseen world.' It's merely protein and alcohol - but it's very rich in imagery."

Answer 3

I just watched something about this last night on t.v. It was a show about Mexico and it said that tequila is tequila...but Mescaline (spelling?) Is a stronger cleaner type of tequila and you can tell the difference because the Mescaline type has the worm in it...it also looked clearer.
I would try a liquor store and ask them or perhaps even a Mercada market (mexican grocery store) they might have it there.

It also said the Mescaline kind would not get you as sick because it's more pure.

Answer 4

No. You cannot buy tequila with a worm in it. The liquor you would buy is called mescal, which does have the worm. Mescal is not more than 51% blue agave, is not baked in a steam oven, is not from one of the 5 areas of Mexico where tequila is designated and is not sanctioned by the powers that be; Tequila.

Answer 5

There is absolutely no significance to the worm in tequila bottles because tequila bottles do not have worms.
The drink that has worms in and is often confused with tequila is "mezcal", a related but different beverage produced in Mexico.
BC Liquor Stores: Gusano Rojo Mezcal (SKU #286591 — $39.95). Yes, it has a worm.

Answer 6

I had a bottle of "Mezcal" (sometimes spelled "Mescal") a few years ago that had the worm in it. I can't recall the brand name though.

Mezcal is a somewhat rougher version of tequila. Puts hair in the chest... ; ) If you have a good liquor store in your area, check out the Mezcal, which should be near the tequila. You will probably find a bottle with a worm in it!

Answer 7

Yes. there is a bottled drink called mezcal. It comes in 2 kinds- 1 with the worm and 1 w/o the worm. I think one of the brands is Monte Alban

Answer 8

Yes, it's called "MEZCAL CON GUSANO Monte Alban Regional de Oaxaca with Agave worm." It can be found with most top shelf tequila.

Answer 9

It's called Mezcal. Be very very careful with Mezcal. It tastes like feet, induces vomiting, and messing around with buddy's girlfriends. Beware the worm, and the nasty alchohol that surrounds it.

Answer 10

Mescal is sold to this very day in mexico, I know because every few months we go to my hometown in Del Rio, Tx. where Acuna ( a city in mexico ) borders it, and we purchase the bottle for only 18 bucks.