![What’s Up With the Worm In Tequila Bottles? Here’s the Story!](http://townsquare.media/site/697/files/2017/05/tequila.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
What’s Up With the Worm In Tequila Bottles? Here’s the Story!
On Cinco de Mayo I ask myself the hard questions. Not Mexican history questions, tequila questions. Why is there a worm in some bottles? Is that worm safe to eat? I have answers for you that could come into play at your local bar's Trivia Night at some point.
After hours of grueling research, here are my findings:
- That's not a worm, it's a gusano moth larvae that lives on an agave plant.
- The bottle with the worm is not filled with tequila, it's filled with mezcal.
- The difference between tequila and mezcal is that tequila has to be made from at least 51% blue agave, mezcal can be made up of a blend of agave plants. Mezcal is considered a lower quality alcohol.
- The worm is safe to eat and has been cooked and then pickled for about a year. I don't suggest throwing a bait worm into your bottle of Jose Cuervo.
- Adding the worm boosted sales by adding mystery and novelty to the mezcal.
Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo and drink responsibly!
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