Imagine a world where the protein on your plate comes not from a farm, but from a bug. Sound far-fetched?
It’s not. In fact, over 2 billion people worldwide already regularly consume insects as part of their diet¹. And has caught the attention of companies like Tyson foods. Who announced they are investing in an insect protein startup called Protix².
The practice, known as entomophagy, is gaining buzz as a sustainable solution to feed the world’s rapidly growing population. But, also with human diets.
So, if you’re ready to hop on the bug-eating bandwagon, here’s what you need to know.
1. Insects Pack a Nutritional Punch
Edible insects are nutritional powerhouses, boasting high levels of protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some species, like crickets, even contain all nine essential amino acids.
Compared to conventional livestock, insects require far fewer resources to raise, making them an eco-friendly protein alternative.
2. Humans Eat Insects as Well
Over 1,900 insect species are consumed as food across 130 countries. From fried locusts in Thailand to roasted ants in Colombia, entomophagy is deeply rooted in many cultures. In Laos, a whopping 96.8% of the population are insect eaters.(ref)
Even in the US and Europe, edible insect products like cricket protein bars are hopping onto store shelves.
3. Not All Bugs Are Created Equal
While many insects are edible, some should be avoided.
Brightly colored bugs may be poisonous, and wild-caught insects risk carrying parasites. Stick to commercially farmed insects or those harvested by knowledgeable foragers.
The most commonly consumed creepy crawlies include crickets, grasshoppers, ants, termites, and beetle larvae.
4. From Farm to Fork
Insect farming is a budding industry, with companies worldwide raising bugs for human and animal consumption. Unlike traditional livestock farming, insect rearing requires minimal land, water, and feed, and produces far fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
As demand grows, expect to see more insect farms cropping up.
5. Cooking with Critters
So, you’ve got your hands on some edible insects, or flour. Now what? Start by incorporating insect flour into familiar foods like cookies, bread, or pasta.
For the more adventurous, try whole roasted crickets as a crunchy salad topper or sautéed silkworm pupae as a savory side dish. The possibilities are endless.
6. Overcoming the “Ick” Factor
For many Westerners, the idea of eating insects can trigger a gag reflex. But remember, foods like lobster and sushi were once considered equally “icky” before gaining mainstream acceptance.
Experts suggest starting with insect-based ingredients like cricket flour, rather than whole bugs, to ease into entomophagy.
7. The Future of Food?
As the global population soars towards 9 billion by 2050,(ref) current food production will need to almost double. Edible insects offer a promising solution – they’re nutritious, sustainable, and can be raised on organic waste.
With culinary creativity and open minds, bugs just might be the food of the future.
Common Edible Insects around the World
While there are over 2,000 known species of edible insects, some of the most commonly consumed varieties include:
- Crickets – High in protein and popular in many Asian countries. Often ground into flour.
- Mealworms – Beetle larvae that are nutty in flavor. Commonly farmed for human consumption.
- Ants – Lemon-flavored and rich in protein. Popular in parts of Latin America and Asia.
- Grasshoppers – Widely eaten in Mexico and parts of Africa. High in protein.
- Termites – Consumed fried, smoked or sun-dried in many African countries. Good source of iron.
- Scorpions – Considered a delicacy in parts of Asia. Described as tasting like crab or shrimp.
- Caterpillars – Popular in Africa and parts of Asia. High in protein, iron and zinc.
The idea of chowing down on bugs may take some getting used to for the Western palate. But with their impressive nutritional profile and sustainability advantages, edible insects just might be the food of the future.
So go ahead, give ’em a try – you might just find that crickets are the new kale.
Sources :
Read Next:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.