It sounds quite disgusting to most Westerners that many people around the world eat insects on a regular, even daily, basis. This is not invariably only because edible insects are so abundant and money is so scarce. In a lot of countries, some insects are considered a delicacy.
I am not an authority on edible insects in every country, but there are so many kinds of edible insects where I have been, that there must be similar edible insects in every country with the exception of the North and South Poles.
Eating insects may appear to be repulsive to us, but I have met people who think that it is equally revolting to eat prawns, shrimps and lobsters. After all, they are just insects of the sea of a kind. And just like eating shrimps or lobster, insects are either the main or only part of the dish. In other words, they are considered just as much a luxury as shrimps, prawns or lobster is in the West.
Insects are not consumed with rice, chips, in a sandwich or with a sauce. Rather insects are deep-fried in a wok and eaten from a plastic bag like chips. Insects are not mixed when cooked either. You buy fifty grammes of one and fifty grammes of another and they are eaten separately.
Insects are abundant and they do not have to be bred, unlike cattle. An interesting fact is that beef is about 20% protein whereas insects are between 65% and 80% protein. Surprising, eh? 50 grammes of insects provides more protein that a half-pound beef steak and they contain hardly any cholesterol.
If you want to include insects in your diet, then you will need to examine the subject with regard to your own country, but I will give some suggestions. In the insect world, yellow means 'stay away from me, I am poisonous or do not taste nice', so it is best not to eat those ones. Most insectivores steer clear of hairy insects as well, so spiders and house flies are out also. Mosquitoes are too small so are ticks and many other insects.
While some caterpillars can be eaten, some cannot, so leave them to the experts. The best insects to go for are beetles, termites, larvae, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets and some night-flying insects.
In Thailand, for example, most people will eat insects for a treat, although some people eat them every day. In the north-east and in the north-west, people may eat insects once a month. In the centre, like Bangkok and Pattaya, fried insects are sold on the streets, so they are easily available. They are eaten frequently in the south and in the east, which is called Isaan.
However, all over Thailand, you can see ultraviolet lights over insect traps. These families will either consume the insects themselves or sell them on to a dealer. I have also seen individuals collecting a fly which only comes out at night after rainfall. You can gather thousands in an hour by putting a bowl of water under a street lamp. The insects get stunned by the light and corkscrew down into the water where they drown.
I am not an authority on edible insects in every country, but there are so many kinds of edible insects where I have been, that there must be similar edible insects in every country with the exception of the North and South Poles.
Eating insects may appear to be repulsive to us, but I have met people who think that it is equally revolting to eat prawns, shrimps and lobsters. After all, they are just insects of the sea of a kind. And just like eating shrimps or lobster, insects are either the main or only part of the dish. In other words, they are considered just as much a luxury as shrimps, prawns or lobster is in the West.
Insects are not consumed with rice, chips, in a sandwich or with a sauce. Rather insects are deep-fried in a wok and eaten from a plastic bag like chips. Insects are not mixed when cooked either. You buy fifty grammes of one and fifty grammes of another and they are eaten separately.
Insects are abundant and they do not have to be bred, unlike cattle. An interesting fact is that beef is about 20% protein whereas insects are between 65% and 80% protein. Surprising, eh? 50 grammes of insects provides more protein that a half-pound beef steak and they contain hardly any cholesterol.
If you want to include insects in your diet, then you will need to examine the subject with regard to your own country, but I will give some suggestions. In the insect world, yellow means 'stay away from me, I am poisonous or do not taste nice', so it is best not to eat those ones. Most insectivores steer clear of hairy insects as well, so spiders and house flies are out also. Mosquitoes are too small so are ticks and many other insects.
While some caterpillars can be eaten, some cannot, so leave them to the experts. The best insects to go for are beetles, termites, larvae, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets and some night-flying insects.
In Thailand, for example, most people will eat insects for a treat, although some people eat them every day. In the north-east and in the north-west, people may eat insects once a month. In the centre, like Bangkok and Pattaya, fried insects are sold on the streets, so they are easily available. They are eaten frequently in the south and in the east, which is called Isaan.
However, all over Thailand, you can see ultraviolet lights over insect traps. These families will either consume the insects themselves or sell them on to a dealer. I have also seen individuals collecting a fly which only comes out at night after rainfall. You can gather thousands in an hour by putting a bowl of water under a street lamp. The insects get stunned by the light and corkscrew down into the water where they drown.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on many topics, but is currently concerned with indoor mosquito repellent. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Mosquito Repellent For Dogs.
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