Would you consider tequila vegan? From what I understand, some companies do actually still use worms in the production of tequila. So technically, those brands would have an animal (er..insect?) product in them. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here..what do you think? And does anyone know which brands still use this method?
"It is a common misconception that some tequilas contain a 'worm' in the bottle. Only certain mezcals, usually from the state of Oaxaca, are ever sold con gusano, and that only began as a marketing gimmick in the 1940s. The worm is actually the larval form of the moth Hypopta agavis that lives on the agave plant. Finding one in the plant during processing indicates an infestation and, correspondingly, a lower quality product. (Note: for more information on how tequila is made, see mezcal.) However this misconception continues, and even with all the effort and marking to represent Tequila as a premium product -- similar to the way Cognac is viewed in relation to brandy -- there are some opportunist producers for the shooters and fun market who blur these boundaries"
in the uk they sell tequila with and without worms. if its in there, i'm thinking its generally added as its bottled, for the novelty factor, not as part of the fermentation process- i'd be dubious about the likelyhood of standardised looking worms showing up in all of the teeny tiny bottles otherwise.
i wanna see a letter from the manufacturers declaring whether or not the worms commited suicide while living a free, untortured life, before i'm prepared to drink anything with a worm actually in it. in a general store brand, if its not there in the bottle, i'd assume it never was there in processing either- why would they go to the hassle to add it, and then fish it out- it can't add a great flavour, can it- and if its a sales feature, why remove it?
tequila is a horrible drink anyway. gets you drunk from the legs up. nightmare stuff. i can also strongly advise against snorting it.
Sorry about the link. Tequila is likely to be clarified with both char. Alcoholic beverages are clarified with bone char, isinglass (from tropical fish swim bladders), gelatin, egg albumen, casein, chitin (crustacean shell) and, rarely, ox blood. They may also be colored with animal-based products, like cochineal (also widely used in cosmetics).
shucks, does that mean patron's not vegan? oh well, i barely drink anyway... only about 1x or 2x a year at a friend's house.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
VeggieBoards
3.4M posts
73.3K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to vegetarian, vegans, and vegetable enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about agriculture, preparation, cooking, recipes, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!