According to United Nations research, an estimated 2 billion people consume insects as part of their traditional diet globally. The same article states that over 1,900 insect species have been used for food.
A big part of the fun for people who try edible insects is telling their friends about them. However, strange things like bugs confound tasters. This is because there is yet to be a widely used framework for categorizing the flavor.
Ants have a sour, vinegar-like taste. The only methods you have to bridge the gap between the known and unknown are comparisons and flavor combinations. This seeming problem exists in the entomophagy community (insect eating).
By convincing themselves that eating insects is not different from other foods, people hope to generate the courage to do so.
Other edible insects and their tastes
People worldwide regularly eat insects, even though bugs aren’t typically on the menu in many US households. Some of the most common edible insects and their tastes include the following:
Crickets
The umami flavor of parmesan and the crunchy texture of crickets are said to be similar.
In addition to their taste, crickets provide a fantastic nutritious addition to nearly any recipe. They offer a pleasant crunch and are high in protein.
Otherwise, they resemble popcorn or almonds in flavor. You can increase your protein consumption by incorporating cricket flour in baked goods like cookies, pancakes, or biscuits.
Mealworms
The umami flavor of mealworms is subtle and leaves a nutty aftertaste. They go great with just about anything.
They are frequently utilized to increase nutrition and provide the same amount of protein as beef without harming the environment. Mealworms and superpowers serve the same purposes, although superworms are more nutritious.
Whether you prefer to roast, fry, or sauté them, you can serve them using just about any cooking method. Because of this, you may add them to salads and tacos or eat them as a snack.
Termites
Depending on the kind of wood they are munching on, they have a flavor similar to zingy mint or carrots.
Termites provide a significant quantity of protein, and in some nations, they are frequently consumed as raw snacks, taken straight from a tree or other source of wood.
Black ants
There is nothing “icky” or “mothy” about the flavor of ants. In actuality, they taste pretty different. It almost reminds you of eating a tangy, crisp orange with less zest than a lime. But that’s just the standard flavor. According to the variety of edible ants, the taste of an ant varies.
Ants are considered a superfood since they are high in protein and provide energy. According to research, 100 grams of edible ants offer more protein than an entire egg.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches taste chicken meat. This is because they have a high protein level, so their bodies are mainly meat.
However, only eat cooked roaches, given their poor hygiene. Dogs and other pets can eat live or dead roaches without issues.
Cicadas
According to The New York Times, cicadas are frequently fried with garlic and salt and are claimed to taste like shrimp, popcorn, or bacon. Some people eat these bugs raw as snacks.
Scorpions
When fried, scorpions compare to popcorn, shrimp, or crab in taste. However, for inexperienced bug cooks, removing the stinger and venom gland is safe before cooking.
Grasshoppers
Fried grasshoppers taste like sardines.
Grasshoppers are entirely edible as well. Many cultures that consume a lot of insects, like Mexico, are wild harvested – think of the grasshoppers that are frequently consumed there called chapulines; they’re lovely.
Roasted grasshoppers covered in chili-lime salt have become a popular stadium snack during Seattle Mariners games, selling out at the concession stand.
Locusts
Locusts can be deep-fried, pan-fried, or even dipped in chocolate and are high in protein, zinc, and iron. Locusts taste somewhat nutty and shrimpy. They were even given the new name “sky prawns” during an Australian swarm.
Wax worms
Wax worms taste like potato chips or corn puffs. Since they are highly delicious and have a sweet flavor from the honey and beeswax they consume, waxworms seem destined to become famous.
They are a tasty treat regardless of whether in the hive because they are fed bran and honey even in captivity. They are referred to as “chubby and amber” pan-fried waxworms.
Pill bugs
According to adventurous foragers who’ve had the pleasure of eating pill bugs, their flavor resembles other crustaceans, earning pill bugs the moniker “wood shrimp.” However, they didn’t get an exceptionally high approval rating as they have a lot of soil in their gut.”
Giant water bugs
The flavor of the giant water bugs has been variously characterized as being similar to black licorice, citrus, or even bubble gum and jelly beans. On the other hand, people frequently compare the taste to sweet shrimp, scallops, or crab meat, as with many arthropod insects.
Giant water bugs have a lot of meat and are relatively robust and substantial. The female of the species is fried whole and available in markets in Thailand. Add salt, break off the head, and remove the flesh.
Sago grubs (palm weevil larvae)
Sago grubs are pretty popular in Southeast Asia and have won acclaim. They have a melt-in-your-mouth flavor reminiscent of bacon because of their high-fat content. They are typically found either raw or roasted.
Praying Mantis
Praying mantis taste like raw mushrooms or shrimp when fried over an open fire.
Hornworms
This dish is characterized as having the consistency of soft shell crabs and tasting just like those fried green tomatoes with a hint of shrimp.
The first people to eat hornworms were not modern caterpillar eaters. Instead, it was thought that Native Americans would wear them as a necklace and consume them while traveling.
All the above insects are a fantastic source of nutrition for you, chickens, and other insect-eating pets if you can’t stomach them.