Agave tequila worm book

Agave worms the species comadia redtenbacheri is the scientific name for the popular tequila worm languishing at the bottom of a bottle of mezcal. Feb 11, 2016 technically its not tequila, its mezcal. For the record, there are no worms in tequila, no tequila brand has a worm in the bottom of the bottle. Mar 22, 2017 mezcal is the precursor spirit to modern day tequila. First, theres tequila, most commonly consumed as a shot with salt and lime to defang the bite.

What are the effects of drinking a worm from a tequila bottle. Sofia is surrounded by the culture and traditions of her familia as she. The plant, the bottles and region with the laws protecting all of that. 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.

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. The worm, or gusano, is actually associated with mezcal, a close drink relative of tequilas. The book received many awards and recognitions including the americas award honorable mention in 2005 and the pura belpre award for writing in 2006. The tequila worm by viola canales is a young adultchildrens book that was published in 2005. 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. A technical, scientific and cultural look at the blue agave and the tequila industry, by the guru of agave production. Mezcal, like tequila, is made from the agave plant, but the process is different.

Tequila project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. 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. When sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to. Although tequila is a kind of mezcal, modern tequila differs somewhat in the method of. These semitransparent flavors allow a good tequila to shine in all. In production, a harvested blue weber agave plant is trimmed down to its heart, then steamed to extract juices.

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. Worm in tequila things you never knew about tequila. Dec 18, 2007 sofia comes from a family of storytellers. 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. No dissertation of tequila myth is complete without a mention of the worm. The tequila worm character chart flashcards quizlet. 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. It is eaten in many ways and for different reasons throughout the world. A field guide to the agave used for mezcal drinkhacker. When a bottle of mezcal contains a worm, the mezcal is described as being con gusano, or with worm in spanish. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors.

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. Twelveyearold guero is mexican american, at home with spanish or english and on both sides of the river. 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. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio in mcallen, texas, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions. 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. So, they didnt have to use the worm for the rest of the mezcal. Like mezcal, tequila is also made from the agave plant and originates from the same. In the 1940s the worm was used as a marketing ploy, with brands claiming the worm had aphrodisiac and even magical qualities. What is mezcal versus tequila, the worm and how to drink it. 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. Tequila is a variety of drink called mezcal, much like bourbon is a variety of drink called whiskey. Azul, whereas mezcal is produced from agave patatorum.

Mezcal is the family of booze tequila belongs to and can be made from about 30 other species. 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. The larva from the hypopta agavis moth transforms into what is known in mexico as the common red worm. Although tequila dates back only a few hundred years, people have long used the heart of the agave plant to make delicious, alcoholic beverages. About the tequila worm sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Some bottlers substitute a species of white worm that lives in the leaves of the agave plant. Only one pura belpre award is given, per year, to authors who create childrens books that depict, support, and commemorate the latino cultural experience. 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.

Why is there a worm in tequila mezcal and tequila worm. 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. Mar 14, 2020 the tequila had already personality, says torres. The tequila worm has earned a variety of awards and recognitions. While gin, whiskey, and vodka have long been the stars of this famous formula, a shot of tequila gives it new life. 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. L ike queso and chalupas before them, mexicos most prolific spirits have been corrupted by american culture youre familiar with the perception. In the 1940s the worm was used as a marketing ploy, with brands claiming the. 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. What are the effects of drinking a worm from a tequila.

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. When sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding. In the juan collins, youll pour lemon juice and agave nectar, then finish it off with club soda. Valanzuela zapata ediciones mundiprensa, mexico, 2003. Occasionally, you might even find a mezcal with a scorpion. The worm, however, isnt actually a worm, but the larva of one of two different types of moths that live on the agave plant. 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. The worm, or gusano, is actually associated with mezcal, a close drink relative of tequila s. 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. To present and evaluate the lessons learned in the tequila worm. Never tequila it is illegal to add the gusano worm to tequila. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions. Albeit there is not too many differences between two of them. In fact, the strict production and bottling of tequila forbids such a thing.

Most people think that tequila bottle contain worm. Oct 29, 2014 the tequila worm has earned a variety of awards and recognitions. If youre an aficionado, or think you will progress your love of tequila, then buy. However, tequila is produced in tequila and its vicinity from agave tequilana weber var.

There are two distillates produced from the agave plant tequila and mezcal. 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. Why is there a worm in tequila mezcal and tequila worm effects. Tequila is the specific spirit made from blue agave in a distinct mexican region more on that later. To instill a love of reading by offering crafts and activities to go along with quality latino literature.

Although tequila is a kind of mezcal, modern tequila differs somewhat in the method of its production, in. Further, tequila is made exclusively with the blue agave agave azul tequilana weber. Tequila and mezcal with or without the worm in the bottle are both produced from the agave plant. Before i get in to this, i have to draw a distinction between terms. Canales herself grew up in mcallen, texas, as part of such a family that she writes about. Whereas tequila is made exclusively in the northwestern state of jalisco, mezcal is exclusive to. Tequila makes an appearance in the collins drink family as well. Agave, mezcal, gusano, and other tequila terms you should. Tequila production is exclusive to the mexican states of jalisco, nayarit, guanajuato, tamaulipas, and michoacan. 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. 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 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. Agave head is harvested and cut into pieces for cooking. To be called tequila, the liquor must be 100% blue agave and be produced in just five reg. 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. So tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not tequila, and only mezcal has worms. The tequila worm was designated a notable book by the american library association and won the pen center usa award, the novel was also awarded the pura belpre medal for narrative. 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. The genuine agave worm is a bright coral color, which fades to pink in the bottle. This is my favourite book on tequila because it covers so much in such a small space. 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. 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 jimadores agave farmers harvest the agave plant, expertly cutting off the long spiked leaves, leaving a pineapple shaped cone called a pina.