Page 53 - Microsoft Word - miniz-digest-98-103.docx

worm had become so entrenched in urban
mythology that consumers in North America might
reject Mezcal without a worm as not authentic. So
pervasive has the worm identification become that
it has also tainted the world view of tequila, a
similar but highly regulated product.

The fight went all the way up to Mexico's federal
government and eventually the Mexican Health
Department decided the worms are safe for
human consumption and allowed them to stay.
The movement to ban the worm lost steam and
was pretty much forgotten by 2005.

A few Tequilas also contain a worm
(see El Sonorio) and I even know
of one spirit made in the Czech
Republic that has a worm in it (see
Cervovice).

I will let the Mezcal bottles speak
for themselves, except for the last
one. This Dos Gusanos (2 worms)
is said to be unique - clearly
someone got carried away!

David Smith

Never mind 'on the
side' what about a
main course?

When fully mature the
worms appear fleshy-red
and can measure up to 65
millimetres . They are considered a highly nutritious delicacy. One
100-gram serving contains over 650 calories, or the equivalent of two
plates of rice. While they are sometimes eaten alive and raw, they are
also considered delicious deep fried or braised, seasoned with salt,
lime, a spicy sauce and served in a tortilla. Bon Appétit!

- 14 -