Insect Meals From Around the World

  Posted on February 8, 2015  by insectrecipes  No comments

People from the West may cringe at the idea of eating insects for a meal, but they’re the only ones. ‘Entomophagy,’ or the consumption of insects, is regularly practiced by about 80% of the world’s countries, and at least 2 billion people in Africa, Asia, and South America. Most of these cultures don’t even have a word like ‘entomophagy,’ because they never considered insects to be different from other types of food. Creatures as varied as caterpillars, wasps, locusts, tarantulas and scorpions are considered either staples or high-class delicacies.  Here are some examples of the unique and often delicious ways that insects make their way into diets around the world.  Let us know if you have ever tried one of these insect meals or have examples of other insect staples from around the world.

 

Mexico

 

Gusanos (or maguey worms) are a type of edible insect found south of the border. This grub’s favorite food is the maguey plant, which is also used to make a potent type of alcohol, Mescal. Mescal manufacturers are known to add a gusano worm to each bottle. Some say the worm is a seal of authenticity, some say it adds taste, while others insist it has aphrodisiac qualities. If you’re not much for liquor, you can also garnish your meal with dried gusanos, or eat them pan-fried.

Jumiles, or stink bugs, are a very special delicacy in Taxco, Guerrero. Locals believe that jumiles carry their familes reincarnate. These flying insects are often eaten live, and are also famed for their analgesic qualities. On Holy Jumil, after Day of the Dead, people dine on jumiles with salt and lime, to show respect for their ancestors.

 

Central Africa

 Here you can find a vast variety of caterpillar species that are considered the highest quality food in the region. Makongo, a large bluish caterpillar found high in the trees of the Congo basin forests, is used in all sorts of dishes, especially cassava stews. If you need a snack on the way home from foraging in the forest, live ones will do just fine.

Some species of termites are also a tasty addition to any soup or stew. For those not feeling particularly crafty about their meal, they can simply make a crunchy snack by roasting them on the fire with a little salt. These ground-tunneling insects push their way to the surface after a big rain and fly around. When this opportunity arises, people often drop whatever they happen to be doing to collect them.

 

Thailand

Any vacationer to Bangkok or Phuket can probably tell you a story or two about Thailand’s insect delicacies. Thailand borders on having commercial-level farming production of insects, with many farmers making most of their income from raising them. Weaver ants are the most expensive delicacy you can find in the country, at between 9.5-12.7 USD per kilogram. It’s a versatile food, and can be used in salads, fried dishes, soups, or even raw. Many cultures in Southeast Asia say that they have medicinal qualities, which adds to their desirability.  Silkworm pupae serve as another highly desired dish, with versatility similar to weaver ant meals. Silkworm powder is also often used to fortify snacks, such as rice crackers.