Eating insects has long been an accepted cultural practices in Asian and South American countries, as well as in places such as Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia. The practice is so wide-spread, it's a common sight to see street hawkers selling deep-fried, broiled, or grilled insects at their roadside stands, and no one bats an eye.
In the United States, however, the practice of eating insects (or entomophagy, for those who want the real word), is still in its infancy. This is a country, after all, where nose-to-tail dining has only been practiced recently, so eating insects, especially those that are often thought of as field pests such as grasshoppers and mealy worms, is an idea that turns the stomachs of many Americans.
Slowly, though, the tides are changing when it comes to the American palette and eating insects. In 2014, a company called New Millenium Farms was launched by brothers Jarrod, Ryan, and Darren Goldin. The aim of the farm was to produce food-grade cricket on a commercial-scale and make them a source of protein for the American public.
According to Goldin, the range of people who want to try this new type of food source is massive, from "hippies, to environmentalists and conservations, to people who want to play pranks on their friends."
BENEFITS OF EATING INSECTS
So, why should Americans learn to eat insects? Studies have shown that insects are rich in proteins, vitamins, and nutrients, especially when compared to traditional sources of protein such as pork or beef. 100 grams of crickets have 69 grams of protein, compared to 29 grams of pork, and 43 grams of beef. They are also rich in zinc, calcium, and vitamin B2.
Farm-raising crickets is a practice that is less strenuous and damaging to the environment, since raising crickets require significantly fewer amounts of water, space, and feed compared to raising other forms of livestock.
HOW WE DO EAT CRICKETS?
You actually have many options if you want to try eating crickets. If you're eating crickets for the first time, you can ease your nerves by purchasing cricket flour (very high in protein), so that you won't see the actual insects. Cricket flour has a mild, nutty taste, and is suitable for baking. You can also purchase cricket energy bars.
Meanwhile, if you really wish to take the plunge, you can go and purchase a bag of freeze-dried crickets from certified cricket farms, and take them home to roast, bake, or deep-fry. Toss them with some salt and pepper, and you've got yourself a low-fat, high-protein snack!
