Would you indulge in eating insects?
Entomophagy is the practice of eating insects, especially by people. While a high majority of people around the world participate in eating insects, some societies have yet to really embrace this practice (USA, Canada, western Europe, etc). Insects tend to be high in protein, low in fat, and very low in carbs. In science fiction we do see other cultures eating insects, as seen in Star Trek, Galaxy Quest, and Bladerunner 2049.
Pros of Entomophagy
Increase food sustainability
Healthy protein alternative
Small space for growth
Improved gut health
Types of Insects
The popular types of insects to consume are:
Crickets (umami flavor or parmesan or almond)
Mealworms (umami with nutty aftertaste)
Silkworms (mashed potato)
Ants (lemony, spicy citrus)
Leafcutter Ants (bacon and pistachio)
Honeypot Ants (floral honey)
Hornet Larvae (raw - gamey clotted cream; cooked - sweet mussels)
Termites (crispy bacon)
Shea Caterpillars (meaty vegetables)
Palm Weevil Larvae (buttery pate or bacon)
Scorpions (soft shell crab)
Giant Water Bug (salty banana or briney melon)
Agave Worm (pork rinds)
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (blood pudding)
Buffalo Worm (mild and nutty)
Cicada, nymph (artichoke or lobster)
Cicada, adult (peanuts or almonds)
Cockroach (greasy chicken)
Recipes to Try
Where To Find Insects and Insect Products
EXO Protein - Cricket powder and foods
EntoMarket - Variety
Armstrong Cricket Farm - Crickets, mealworms, horn worms, wax worms
Orchestra Provisions - Cricket powders
Chapul Farms - Cricket
Bugsolutly - Cricket pasta
Meal Flour - Mealworm flour
Khloro - Variety of foods
Bug Farm Foods - Flour, whole insects
Mealworms By The Pound - Mealworms and Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Further Reading
Edible Insects as a Sustainable Food Alternative by Rick Leblanc
BRIEF HISTORY OF ENTOMOPHAGY by Bill Broadbent
Eating Bugs: A Diet That’s Hard to Swallow by Austin Lim
The Gateway Bug (film) 2021
6 Places Spreading the Entomophagy Bug for F&B by Julie Berman
Entomophagy: Why We Should Eat Insects by Julia Weissing
“Insect appeal to gain ground in 2021,” says IPIFF by Elizabeth Green
Would you participate in entomophagy? Is this a viable option for the future? Please leave comments below.
I have tried EXO Bars - chocolate because I won a box of them. Not bad - though chocolate isn't my flavor of choice. They were free since I won a box of them, but the cost of them (at the time) were a little too high. I think the price has come down since.
I think cricket powder/flour is easy to incorporate into daily food. I wouldn't mind trying a few things, but absolutely no scorpions or spiders. Those two are a big NO WAY for me.