Want to Help the Environment? Eat Insects

[bruce]

A group of experts endorse bugs as a nutritious and sustainable food source.

Want to Help the Environment? Eat Insects. | Living World | DISCOVER Magazine

Hmm

[spadlet]

It reminds me of when my Grandma was telling me about the kids in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo?) going out with buckets to collect flying ants after it had rained. She said it was like when kids go blackberry picking here in the UK, a few in the bucket, one sneaked into the mouth, a few more in the bucket, then, ooops another one disappeared between the lips, etc. They were considered to be a real treat. I had no idea that they were so nutritious.

[Wobs]

I thought we already did. Mainly from the stuff that is put into readymeals and other manufactured goodies. Those additives often come from insects apparently.

Although the old story of people eating so many spiders while sleeping is aprocraphal.

regards

Wobs (who's having a bad spelling day)

[Claire]

Also, I heard on QI that termites create the most methane of any source in the world - don't know if that's true, or if they're edible for that matter, but if it is and they are there might be a double benefit. Unless the side effect of eating them was to make us, errr, produce methane?

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by Claire

Also, I heard on QI that termites create the most methane of any source in the world - don't know if that's true, or if they're edible for that matter, but if it is and they are there might be a double benefit. Unless the side effect of eating them was to make us, errr, produce methane?

Coincidentally, I just read on the QI website about termites and methane!
QI Talk Forum | View topic - I don't want to give up my meat

I do recall seeing some tribes-peoples on some documentary catching termites and frying them up over a fire, so I guess they're edible.

[spadlet]

I'm pretty sure cochoneal red food dye is made from crushed up insect eggs

[Windguy]

Cambodia - Freaky food - Spiders - Fried tarantula from Skuon - frizz restaurant Phnom Penh

Weird Meat: Eating Spiders in Cambodia

And my favourite nightmare inducing photo...

Picture of Girl selling deep fried spiders, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

[macgardener]

Interesting article. In Australia bogong moths migrate so they don't lend themselves to being farmed and I suspect if they became too popular there would be problems with sustainability. Witchetty grubs might be suitable?
Humble bogong moth could be coming to a plate near you | NEWS.com.au