It will be increasingly difficult to feed all the hungry people as the human population grows closer to 8 billion. Experts are claiming that humans will soon be forced to eat insects.
McGill University’s Montreal students have won the 2013 Hult Prize for their insect-based flour. The students receive $1 million in seed money and the opportunity to create what they call Power Flour. Mohammed Ashour, team captain, told ABC News that they would start with grasshoppers.
The FAO’s Food and Agriculture Organization released a report entitled “Edible Insects – Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security.” This document describes the health and environmental benefits of a diet that includes insects. It is also called “entomophagy”. Based on the FAO document and other sources, here’s a list containing seven edible bugs that you might soon see on your dinner plate.
Mopane caterpillars
Mopane caterpillars, the larval stage for the emperor moth ( Imbrasia Belina), are found throughout southern Africa. The region’s multi-million-dollar industry is the harvesting of mopane caterpillars. Children and women generally gather the tiny, plump insects.
Caterpillars are typically cooked in saltwater and then dried in the sun. The dried form can be stored for up to several months without refrigeration. Mopane caterpillars are more nutritious than beef, with a 6 mg iron content per 100g of dry weight. They have a staggering 31 mg per 100g. According to FAO, they are also rich in potassium, sodium and calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc.
Termites
Do you want to eliminate the termites gnawing at your floorboards? Do what they do in South America or Africa by steaming termites in banana leaves.
Termites typically contain up to 38 percent of protein. One particular species from Venezuela, Syntermes Aculeosus, has 64 percent. Termites also contain iron, essential fatty acids, and amino acids like tryptophan.
Witchetty grub
The witchetty grub is a staple food among the Australian aboriginal population. The grubs can be eaten raw and taste similar to almonds. However, when the skin is cooked in hot coals lightly, it develops roast poultry’s crispy, flavorful texture. The witchetty grub is rich in oleic acid, a healthy omega-9 monounsaturated oil.
Although many people refer to the larvae from several moth species as witchetty, some sources indicate that the true witchetty moth is the Endoxyla cossid moth larvae. The grubs feed on the roots of Australian trees like eucalyptus or black wattle trees underground.
Chapulines
Chapulines, grasshoppers belonging to the genus and phenarium are popular in southern Mexico. They are often roasted to give them a satisfying crunch. Some claim that grasshoppers contain more than 70% protein.
Researchers have found that the collection of Sphenarium grazers is an attractive option for spraying pesticides on fields of alfalfa and other crops. This eliminates the potential environmental hazards of pesticide sprays and gives residents an additional source of income and nutrition through the sale of grasshoppers.
African palm weevil
The palm weevil ( Rhychophorus Phoenicis), a delicacy in many African tribes, is taken from the trunks of palm trees. The weevils measure approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in length and 2 inches (5 cm) in width. They can be easily pan-fried as their bodies are rich with fats. However, they can also be eaten raw.
