sal de gusano
sal de gusano.
The phrase means “worm salt,” but it’s really caterpillar salt—with, yes, actual critters roasted 
& ground up along with chiles. Before pounding each shot, we wet our fingers, dipped them into the bag, & licked—to get an excellently bracing sensation of earthy, spicy seasoning, no more, no less. It's also popular to dip a orange slice or wedge into the sal de guano as you sip fine artisanal Mezcal.
You could sprinkle this stuff on scrambled eggs, incorporate it in a steak rub, do anything else you’re inclined to do with seasoned salt & no worm-fearer would be the wiser BUT it's especially a favorite of drinkers of Mezcal.
