Bitterman Sal de Gusano

Contrary to your collegiate experience, good mezcal rarely has a worm – or gusano – in the bottom of the bottle. But agaves - the plant from which mezcal is made - do often harbor worms, which are dried, ground and mixed with salt and chile peppers to make an excellent palate cleanser between sips. I like my sal sprinkled on thin orange slices. This example is imported and marketed by Portland's own Bitterman Salt Co., but made in Oaxaca from local salt, chiles and gusanos. A little from this 1 oz. bottle goes a long way.