When drinking mezcal, few stop to consider the history of the Mexican delicacy. The drink has been made by the same families with the same recipe in Mexico for more than six generations. They see mezcal as more than just a drink, but an opportunity to teach the world a little bit about the Mexican people and culture.

Distilled from the heart of an Agave, much like tequila, mezcal was originally considered a lower quality beverage than its more famous cousin. Unlike tequila, mezcal includes a special surprise. An insect, often called the “mezcal worm,” is included in many bottles of the beverage to provide flavor and intrigue. The beverage is supposed to be about 45 percent alcohol by volume.

Please enjoy these fascinating images of the people behind and the production of mezcal, born in a hearth to eventually warm the stomachs of those who enjoy it.

Mexican 'fire water' grows in popularity

Mezcal producers are seeing a growth in popularity. Watch how this agave liquor is made.