Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

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May 6th, '13, 11:53
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Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by apache » May 6th, '13, 11:53

I just saw this clip on the BBC website (don't know whether it would work outside the UK).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22423977

I wonder have any of you tasted insects? If not, would you? What is the most difficult thing to over come, psychological factor? or it's just gross?

After all most of us would eat honey.

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May 6th, '13, 14:33
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by MEversbergII » May 6th, '13, 14:33

We all eat bugs whenever we eat any processed food. They'll get in and die at some point of the operation.

I've eaten spiders and ants before, straight. Would not recommend the former too highly. The latter is ok. During the locust plagues, it was common to eat the invading bugs, but that fell out of fashion.

I wouldn't get too concerned about it.

M.

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by Drax » May 7th, '13, 22:55

I had a plate of crickets when I was in the Philippines a few weeks back. It was just the bodies. And they were pretty well spiced (in fact, reminded me a fair amount of crunchy bacon). I think it helped that they didn't really look much like crickets.

I'll post a picture when I get back from my trip...

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by BioHorn » May 8th, '13, 12:45

w.youtube.com/watch?v=VvJODSm0GYM
Mexico consumes includes a wide variety of insects. Over the past 24 years I have traveled there regularly and encountered (and eaten) them in stalls, roadsides, markets and restaurants.

They include:

-escamoles (ant larvae)
Quite good! Nice rich and broad flavor. Reminds me of some Japanese sensibilities in food. A bit pricy in Mexico City.

-gusano de maguey (actually two species of insect)
very tasty. Eaten live (be sure to bite the head off so it does not perforate your intestines) Exceptionally good blended in salsas (without cumin, of course :wink: ) Also good toasted. Added to salt to eat after a shot of tequila.

-chapulines (grasshoppers) both large and very small.
I like the small ones that do not have large and crunchy legs. The small ones come with a number of other insects mixed in.

-Wasp (Vespidae) larvae
The entire paper nest is held over a fire. The toasted larvae are then picked out with a toothpick. One of my favorites.

The only one I still cannot bring myself to eat is:
-jumiles (Hemiptera, stink bug) sometimes eaten live. Have seen them in Taxco.

There are surely many more. I have not yet encountered big grubs. The thought of eating them, would probably cause me some stress! Another would be some large acuatic true bugs (also Hemiptera.) Eating one of those might be a stretch.

Surely other TC members have good insect eating stories.

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by Chip » May 8th, '13, 13:22

eww, stink bug ... I imagine that one would leave a longgg aftertaste.

It is the year of the 17 year cicada. Anyone have any recipes? :mrgreen:

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May 8th, '13, 16:46
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by amaranto » May 8th, '13, 16:46

I've eaten a couple of the bugs mentioned by BioHorn here in Mexico. Chapulines taste like, well, toasted grasshoppers to me, though I don't mind them in a tortilla with a bit of fresh guacamole. I also prefer them without the little legs, which can get stuck in your teeth. Sal de gusano, which is made from dried, crushed maguey worms and is usually served with an orange slice accompanying a shot of mezcal, is quite tasty.

Not all of these bugs are commonly eaten in my part of the big city, but I'd say sal de gusano is omnipresent. I'm going to have to make it a point to try the other bugs on the list :D

May 8th, '13, 17:39
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by fdrx » May 8th, '13, 17:39

I like to eat some big ants called "hormigas culonas" (pic)

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by amaranto » May 8th, '13, 18:17

I like to eat some big ants called "hormigas culonas"
:lol: That's some name, but they are quite culonas.

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by fdrx » May 8th, '13, 19:11

yes, funny name, the good thing is that the cola is better than the head

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by amaranto » May 8th, '13, 20:04

yes, funny name, the good thing is that the cola is better than the head
Indeed :lol:

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by BioHorn » May 8th, '13, 21:41

Mexico:
504 edible species of insects in the central, south and southeastern states according to this document:

http://www.profeco.gob.mx/revista/publi ... _sep03.pdf

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May 8th, '13, 23:12
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by amaranto » May 8th, '13, 23:12

Wow, that was quite an enlightening article. I don't think a lot of Mexicans know that such a variety of insects is consumed here. What about in other countries? Has anyone tried scorpion?

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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by jayinhk » May 8th, '13, 23:25

Tried a few kinds at a market in Southern Thailand last year; all fried with salt and a little lime leaf. Locusts, some kind of beetle and another kind I can't remember offhand. The legs on the beetles were pretty sharp. The locusts were the best of the three IMO.

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May 8th, '13, 23:30
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by amaranto » May 8th, '13, 23:30

all fried with salt and a little lime leaf
I hadn't thought about the seasoning!

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May 9th, '13, 16:55
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Re: Eating bugs, meats of the future generations

by apache » May 9th, '13, 16:55

I found a longer clip on the Guardian site which should how insects being transform from yuk to yum. The finished dishes look not bad. But I don't think a bag of frozen crickets would appear in my local supermarket yet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/ ... ects-video

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