Time to get ready for bugs a la carte
Many countries across the world incorporate insects into their daily diets, yet in the UK, the idea has never caught on other than being a slightly repellent novelty. While it could be argued that 2 billion people can’t be wrong, the idea of eating creepy crawlies fills many of us with an unshakeable feeling of nausea and dread. However, this might just be set to change.
Experts believe that insects could, and indeed should, become part of the Western diet in the coming years due to their sustainability. Unlike many other animals, every part of most insects can be consumed and they’re much cheaper to raise than other livestock. They also produce much fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other animals and require less resources such as food and water.
What do they taste like?
There are just under 1,500 edible insect species at present, many with distinct flavours and textures. The consensus relays that insects taste, overall, quite nutty. We take a look at a handful of insects and what they’re reported to taste like.
Beetles – Beetles have a mild flavour and some types are often compared to fresh green apples. Both beetles and caterpillars are consumed more than any of the other insect species.
Crickets – Another one of the more popular insect species, crickets have been found to taste particularly nutty and have been likened to popcorn. You can check out one of our clients delicious offering here www.crickefood.com
Grubs – Grubs are, apparently, one of the meatier insects and once you get inside it, you may be pleasantly surprised at the Sabo Grub thought to resemble bacon or the Witchetty Grub which has distinct almond overtones and an inner consistency resembling warm custard.
Hitting the high street
A London-based sushi chain now includes crickets as part of their menu, while many high-end restaurants have toyed with adding ants and other insect delicacies to select dishes. Over the past year, Sainsbury’s has been selling packaged crickets with smoky barbeque seasoning.
Overcoming mental barriers
Efforts are slowly being introduced to overcome any misgivings about eating insects and encourage Westerners to embrace bugs into their diets. At the moment, the idea of eating bugs is unfamiliar and foreign to many, but with the environmental and health benefits they could bring, many are keen to overcome our mental barriers. This includes adding bugs to meals which we’re accustomed to, hiding bugs in foods such as cookies and energy bars – obviously, with the person’s knowledge – and focusing on taste and presentation over novelty.
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