Just about everyone has heard about “Eating the Worm” from a tequila or mezcal bottle but myths and misinformation abound. Here’s a quick read that will give you a wealth of information on the heritage and current uses of the Chinicuiles and Meocuili gusanos.
Chinicuiles are a delicacy in Mexico. They are now available in the USA. Expensive but worth the culinary experience.
Sal de Gusano or “Worm Salt” is the traditional salt rimming mezcal shots. Add a lemon or lime slice depending upon personal taste.
Mayahuel, an Aztec goddess, was thought the source of the Maguey plant’s innumerable properties. She was associated with fertility and nourishment, and was described as having 400 children, who were usually depicted as rabbits…
Of its most highly valued characteristics today is what it harbors within its roots: a large, jelly-like mass crawling with small red worms. The red maguey worm, referred to in Mexico as gusano rojos, gucano de maguey, or chinicuiles/tecoles is the…
FUN FACT: There are two types of Maguey worms; red ones that live in the roots of the Agave plants called chilocuiles and white one’s that live on the leafs called meocuili.
