Have you ever eaten an insect? Was it just by accident while riding a bike or did you purposely do it? As a 'Westener' I wouldn't think of insects when I am planning a meal. I have eaten some once before purposefully (countless times by accident, should learn to stop singing and cycling) and I have to say : it wasn't that bad of an experience! Didn't really taste of much, it was crispy. While for many of us in the Western world it is a bit weird, insects are eaten in many countries , from central and south America, to Africa and Asia. I had seen some 'insect porridge' in the Netherlands too, but it was so laden with other processed things (a lot of sugar in primis) that i didn't really fancy trying.
But maybe we should all be a little bit more adventurous. Why? Here below some things that I have learnt last week listening to the 'New Scientist Live : Future of Food and agriculture' (on demand now, so you can still catch up!) They are sustainable: 1) They have a high feed-conversion efficiency - this means that little is wasted from what they eat to what they produce (and we eat). This will optimise resources 2) They grow fast, in massive groups They are in our history 3) insects are the main source of proteins for primates (our very close relatives) 4) Beyond primates, as humans we have a long history of eating insects. 5) Because of the above we have expertise in cultivating them They play a role in making food supply healthier 6) there is no need for antibiotics while farming (actually some insects are studied for the antibiotic properties) 7) they don't seem to get viruses (but may act as carriers and this is unknown) 8) they are so genetically distanced from us that supposedly we don't share diseases with them. Although, of course, there is need for more research as new things may arise. And not all 'insects' are the same - so, again, a word of caution here. (e.g. see this publication) They are nutritious 9) The protein content of edible insects ranges 35%–60% dry weight or 10%–25% fresh weight. HIgher than plant proteins sources AAAAND.... 10) We are eating them already! Yeap. You may have answered "no" to my initial question, but actually you should have answered YES! We are - check out the FDA allowances ... your apple butter has on average of 5 or more whole or equivalent insects (not counting mites, aphids, thrips, or scale insects) per 100 grams, peanut butter can contain on average of 30 or more insect fragments per 100 grams, your raisins 10 or more whole or equivalent insects and 35 Drosophila eggs per 8 oz.... the list goes on! (And no, i don't think in Europe the thing is much different, we are just definitely less open about it and after a long google search I gave up...) Did I convince you to try them? Trust me, grasshoppers aren't that bad.. And if really don't trust me, just add some ketchup. It will taste juuust like burger and chips! .
3 Comments
Kayla Ihrig
12/7/2020 02:38:38 pm
This article made me do a 180 on bugs! I think the next time I'm traveling and I see bugs being offered, I'll try one
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