The worms bore into the agave plant's pineapplelike heart, and quite a few get cooked up in the brew used to make mescal. Far from being grossed out, Jacobo concluded that the worm was an essential component of the liquor's flavor and color. In fairness, the worms were also said to have aphrodisiac properties, and worms and bugs are sometimes consumed in Mexico as a delicacy. At any rate, the ploy worked and the worm in the bottle is now a firmly established tradition. The genuine agave worm is a bright coral color, which fades to pink in the bottle.
Some bottlers substitute a species of white worm that lives in the leaves of the agave plant.
Connoisseurs complain that the white worm isn't as tasty as the red one, which to me is like complaining that your soup contains the wrong species of fly. To me the whole thing seems pretty silly. Cecil Adams can deliver the Straight Dope on any topic. For book details click here. Inc. All rights reserved.