Most people think that tequila bottle contain worm. The genuine agave worm is a bright coral color, which fades to pink in the bottle. Oct 29, 2014 the tequila worm has earned a variety of awards and recognitions. What are the effects of drinking a worm from a tequila bottle. 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. Tequila project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. What is mezcal versus tequila, the worm and how to drink it. Although tequila is a kind of mezcal, modern tequila differs somewhat in the method of its production, in. The worm were all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequila s huskier, smokier cousin tequila has to be at least 51% blue agave, but mezcal can be made from any variety of maguey succulents, the heart charred before distillation. Sofia is surrounded by the culture and traditions of her familia as she. Canales herself grew up in mcallen, texas, as part of such a family that she writes about. Like champagne, mezcal and tequila can only legally be called such if theyre made in specific regions.
The book received many awards and recognitions including the americas award honorable mention in 2005 and the pura belpre award for writing in 2006. Agave, mezcal, gusano, and other tequila terms you should. The worm, or gusano, is actually associated with mezcal, a close drink relative of tequilas. What are the different categories of tequila to pay attention to and how long does tequila last. In fact, the strict production and bottling of tequila forbids such a thing. When sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding. The author offers a charming account of the amazing blue agave plant, the essential ingredient in tequila, outlines the growing, harvesting and manufacturing process, makes comparisons with other agavederived drinks such as mescal, relates the agave and tequila to the social history of mexico, and dispels many myths about tequila its not made from cactus and it never contains a worm. The larva from the hypopta agavis moth transforms into what is known in mexico as the common red worm. The meriposa worm is grown on agave from which mezcal is made, and when a worm is added to the mezcal, it is known as mezcal con gusano. Feb 11, 2016 technically its not tequila, its mezcal. Maguey agave cultivated from at least as early as 200 a. Tequila production is exclusive to the mexican states of jalisco, nayarit, guanajuato, tamaulipas, and michoacan.
Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions. In the 1940s the worm was used as a marketing ploy, with brands claiming the. To instill a love of reading by offering crafts and activities to go along with quality latino literature. Tequila is a variety of drink called mezcal, much like bourbon is a variety of drink called whiskey. Mar 22, 2017 mezcal is the precursor spirit to modern day tequila. Notably, fortaleza is a lowlands tequila, which is made from agave that takes longer to ripen than highlands versions and typically has a sweeter flavor. Jsa this unusually warm, loving family story probably will be best enjoyed by those close to the mexican american heritage. What are the effects of drinking a worm from a tequila. Worm in tequila things you never knew about tequila. Some bottlers substitute a species of white worm that lives in the leaves of the agave plant. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be produced in any region of mexico, and can be made from any species of agave, not just blue agave.
When a bottle of mezcal contains a worm, the mezcal is described as being con gusano, or with worm in spanish. Albeit there is not too many differences between two of them. About the tequila worm sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. Well, not exactly according to anthony dias blues 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. Twelveyearold guero is mexican american, at home with spanish or english and on both sides of the river. Never tequila it is illegal to add the gusano worm to tequila. The following information comprises a standardsbased educators guide that the laii has produced to support using the tequila worm wendy lamb books, 2005 in the classroom. Explains two basic kinds of tequila and broader varieties, plus a directory of distilleries with an account of the history, products and oddities. The tequila worm character chart flashcards quizlet. However, tequila is produced in tequila and its vicinity from agave tequilana weber var. This is my favourite book on tequila because it covers so much in such a small space. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio in mcallen, texas, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions. Americas award honorable mention 2005, pura belpre award for writing 2006, alsc notable children book 2006,and the judy lopez memorial award honor book, among others.
When sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to. The worm were all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequilas huskier, smokier cousin tequila has to be at least 51% blue agave, but. These semitransparent flavors allow a good tequila to shine in all. Tequila and mezcal with or without the worm in the bottle are both produced from the agave plant. Azul, whereas mezcal is produced from agave patatorum. So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms.
Why is there a worm in tequila mezcal and tequila worm. It is eaten in many ways and for different reasons throughout the world. The white maguey worms, known as meocuiles, are caterpillars of a butterfly commonly named tequila giant skipper, aegiale hesperiaris aegiale hesperiaris is found usually in regions of central mexico, on the leaves of family agavaceae plants, such as. For the record, there are no worms in tequila, no tequila brand has a worm in the bottom of the bottle. First, theres tequila, most commonly consumed as a shot with salt and lime to defang the bite. While gin, whiskey, and vodka have long been the stars of this famous formula, a shot of tequila gives it new life. Agave worms the species comadia redtenbacheri is the scientific name for the popular tequila worm languishing at the bottom of a bottle of mezcal. Mar 14, 2020 the tequila had already personality, says torres. No dissertation of tequila myth is complete without a mention of the worm. A technical, scientific and cultural look at the blue agave and the tequila industry, by the guru of agave production. The tequila worm has earned a variety of awards and recognitions. The author offers a charming account of the amazing blue agave plant, the essential ingredient in tequila, outlines the growing, harvesting and manufacturing process, makes comparisons with other agave derived drinks such as mescal, relates the agave and tequila to the social history of mexico, and dispels many myths about tequila its not. Only one pura belpre award is given, per year, to authors who create childrens books that depict, support, and commemorate the latino cultural experience. Technically, mezcal is any spirit distilled from the agave plant, so tequila is a mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequilas as that spirit is restricted to the blue agave and the defined regions.
Unlike tequila, which can only be made from the weber blue species of agave, mezcal is produced with multiple species that are either cultivated or foraged from. In the 1940s the worm was used as a marketing ploy, with brands claiming the worm had aphrodisiac and even magical qualities. Tequila is the specific spirit made from blue agave in a distinct mexican region more on that later. The plant, the bottles and region with the laws protecting all of that. Tequila is made from one species of agave, agave tequilana weber, var azul or blue agave, and primarily in the arid lowlands and rainy highlands outside of guadalajara, in. The volcanic soil in the region is well suited to the growing of the cactus like blue agave which is the only genus of the agave plant used to make tequila. To be called tequila, the liquor must be 100% blue agave and be produced in just five reg. Both tequila and mezcal are made from distilling the fermented juice of the agave plant. The author offers a charming account of the amazing blue agave plant, the essential ingredient in tequila, outlines the growing, harvesting and manufacturing process, makes comparisons with other agavederived drinks such as mescal, relates the agave and tequila to the social history of mexico, and dispels many myths about tequila its not. So, they didnt have to use the worm for the rest of the mezcal. Tequila makes an appearance in the collins drink family as well. In 2004, the council decided to allow flavored tequila to be called tequila, with the exception of 100% agave tequila, which still cannot be flavored. Like mezcal, tequila is also made from the agave plant and originates from the same.
Agave head is harvested and cut into pieces for cooking. The worm, or gusano, is actually associated with mezcal, a close drink relative of tequila s. From the licking of salt and sucking of limes, to the worm left floating at the bottom of the bottle, to the drinks murky relationship with mezcal, the details matter when it comes to tequila, and are taken seriously by those who have come to pray at the altar of agave over the years. Why is there a worm in tequila mezcal and tequila worm effects. Further, tequila is made exclusively with the blue agave agave azul tequilana weber. With tequila, the pinas are cooked in massive stainless steel ovens or autoclaves then passed through the milling process where it undergoes a fermentation process using artificial yeast. May 04, 2011 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. To present and evaluate the lessons learned in the tequila worm. Valanzuela zapata ediciones mundiprensa, mexico, 2003. Connoisseurs complain that the white worm isnt as tasty as the red one, which to me is like complaining that your soup contains the wrong species of fly.
Mezcal is the family of booze tequila belongs to and can be made from about 30 other species. By law, only liquor distilled from the blue agave and produced in designated areas can be classified as tequila. The agave is crushed by a traditional tahona or stone wheel, fermented in small wooden vats, and distilled in tiny copperpot stills for maximum quality control. The jimadores agave farmers harvest the agave plant, expertly cutting off the long spiked leaves, leaving a pineapple shaped cone called a pina. Tequila is an agave based spirit made primarily in the area surrounding tequila, about 30 miles northwest of guadalajara and in the highlands of the western mexican state of jalisco. L ike queso and chalupas before them, mexicos most prolific spirits have been corrupted by american culture youre familiar with the perception. The tequila worm the tequila worm by viola canales is the selection for the laiis vamos a leer book group meeting held on november 3, 2014. Dec 18, 2007 sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Although tequila is a kind of mezcal, modern tequila differs somewhat in the method of. Whereas tequila is made exclusively in the northwestern state of jalisco, mezcal is exclusive to. Jan, 2016 the worm were all thinking of actually belongs in a bottle of mezcal, tequilas huskier, smokier cousin tequila has to be at least 51% blue agave, but mezcal can be made from any variety of. A field guide to the agave used for mezcal drinkhacker.
Occasionally, you might even find a mezcal with a scorpion. While the worm is popularly called the tequila worm, it is only found on the bottom of a bottle of mezcal, a variety of tequila obtained from distilling blue agave and similar plants. The tequila worm by viola canales is a young adultchildrens book that was published in 2005. The key difference between tequila and mezcal is that the heart of the agave plant is roasted before distilling into mezcal, which is why mezcals have a smoky flavor. Before i get in to this, i have to draw a distinction between terms. The worm, however, isnt actually a worm, but the larva of one of two different types of moths that live on the agave plant.