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“That’s gross!” Tara said after swallowing a spoonful of her Lobster Bisque. “No one eats shrimp tails! Normal people break them off and throw them out.”
“I eat them,” I replied, almost shamefully.
“Ugh. I forgot. You eat bugs too. That’s way worse then eating shrimp tails.” She faux-gagged and clutched her throat dramatically.
“What’s wrong with you anyway?” Tara asked. Tara was my friend but never truly understood me.
“Ok. Firstly, I don’t EAT bugs, I HAVE EATEN bugs. There’s a difference. And secondly…”
“Nope. No difference,” she chirped.
“And secondly, you’re eating Sea Bug Stew right now. Lobsters are just bugs of the ocean. And they’re huge!! Why is it you can eat a lobster but not a beetle?” Tara didn’t answer. She was too busy stirring her bisque half expecting a grotesque ocean termite to bob to the surface.
I was secretly praying one would.
Dinner?
So why don’t we eat bugs? I personally have eaten ants on a bet (I scored 50 cents), wax worms, superworms, a Deer Fly, and about a dozen accidental gnats.
Cultures all over the world eat insects. Some cultures in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia have eaten insects for years and still eat insects today. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 1,400 species of insects and worms are eaten in almost 90 countries. And it really makes sense. They are packed with protein and “conventional” protein can be hard to come by in more impoverished areas. As a matter of fact National Geographic claims that cooked grasshopper contains up to 60% protein with just 6 percent fat versus the roughly 18% protein and 18% fat in hamburger. Also insect fatty acids, like fish fatty acids, are unsaturated and much healthier. And we all know fish is good for us. What about the environment? Well, it takes far less water and grass to raise a pound of grasshoppers than a pound of beef.
Yummmmmy! Do I smell Hopperburgers?!
Nice article!! I personally think the only reason we don’t is because of appearance and habit. If we always ate cockroaches then the idea of eating one wouldnt be so bad. If it was a staple at dinner like potatoes were then I would have no problem popping one in my mouth. And when you see a cockroach on TV it is never appealing. They are scurrying away, doing something gross or being squished. Now lobsters on the other hand are fresh from the ocean, dipped in butter, covered in lemon and the theme music is just so nice and enticing.
If only we had a some desent chiefs to whip up some bug delicacies. Then I would be sure to try it!
A little gross, but very interesting.
HAHAHA! I love this post. I was actually there for Rob’s eating of a superworm. I’m glad this topic was brought up, as it seems so taboo, but when you look at the stats, it’s quite common for many cultures to use insects as a food source. I’ve eaten both mealworms and crickets, and once you get past the “eeew” factor it’s really not that bad…
I think reptile hobbyists are probably a bit more open to this kind of thing. It’s not uncommon to go to a reptile show and receive samples of candy that contain some kind of bug. Just think of it like a Tootsie-Pop with a twist!!
I think you’re on to something here. Eating is all about appearance, flavor and texture. If you could grind up Grasshoppers, add some spices, and make sure no wings or antennae are sticking out on top, you’re sittin’ on a gold mine! We already buy “Gardenburgers”, why not “Grassburgers”!!!
Good article, fun reading.
I love this subject. While I’ve never intentionally eaten bugs, as a young kid I consumed many unsuspecting worms that were accidentally cooked with the greens my dad picked from our garden. He loved the fact we were getting extra protein. I was not amused. Today, I believe he may have been onto something. Just watch Bizarre Foods on the travel channel. The truth is many cultures consume bugs and the general consensus is that they’re tasty.
Great article. I read an article recently about insects as a human food source and the big business opportunity that exists.
As the human population continues to increase and agricultural space for livestock continues to decrease, insects production looks to be a good bet.
Is there any gourmet insect chefs out there??
Who knows, a few years from now they may be the headliner on the food network!
Hmmmmm. Interesting “food for thought”!
I think I will stick with the lobster though.
Reminds me of when I first saw Chocolate Covered Grasshoppers… which reminds me of Screech Powers from Saved by the Bell. In all honesty, the chocolate made the grasshoppers actually quite tasty. I’m not saying that I’d go out of my way to eat a grasshopper, but then again, I don’t go out of my way to eat shrimp and lobster in the first place. Aren’t shrimp and lobsters basically the roaches of the sea?
Isn’t it said that you eat X amount of bugs in your sleep during your life? I think my wooden beach bungalow has made me exceed the standard amount in the past year alone. I share a bedroom (and sometimes my bed) with many spiders, silverfish and the occasional termite. It’s not uncommon for me to wake up next to a little insect watching me sleep, probably just waiting for me to yawn! People are often grossed out, but I don’t think it’s any worse then camping.
There used to be a place in L.A. that served cricket and mealworm pizza. Mama ate it once. She says it tasted like crunchy chicken XD
Sorry y’all, IMHO–bugs as food…icky! I had nightmares about roaches specifically growing up so I have an extra special aversion to these as a food source. When I stop to think about it, lots of things are edible, maybe I just need to do less “thinking”
Don’t forget about escargot, it is delicious! I do agree with Ally, if I knew of a restaurant known for its delicious bug dishes, I would definitely give grasshoppers and a few other bugs a try.
I had escargot on a crusie once. It just tasted like chewy garlic.
Great Story Rob!!! I read it to my son and he loved it, however he would never eat mealworms because he has them as pets….
When I visit your cube I will have to count your bugs to make sure that you have not been snacking on them!!! Great job!
My husband and I spent a few days in Bangkok, Thailand and they had street vendors all over the place deep frying just about every bug imaginable. They even had deep fried stick bugs!!! We ran out of time and never got a chance to get out and do some sampling but if we ever make it back there, we’ve sworn we’re going to take our chances.
I really enjoy an afternoon snack of some fresh bark beetles with a hint of lime.
Okay that was kinda gross but interesting. I’m a big lobster fan and now I’m kinda grossed out. =/ thanks.
‘Escargot’ is French for ‘fat crawling bag of phlegm’.