History of eating insects
Eating insects as food dates back to ancient times, with evidence dating back to 12,000 BC. Fossils of ants and termites have been found in European caveman’s caves, and cave paintings in Africa show Stone Age hunter-gatherers hunting and eating various insects.
Today, insect cuisine is still an important part of life in many parts of the world. Some countries use insects as food, for example:
- Asia: China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, India,…
- Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria,…
- Latin America: Mexico, Brazil, Peru,…
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand,…
Nutritional value of insects
Insects are a rich source of protein, providing up to 60% of protein in the diet. In addition, insects also contain many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, including:
- Vitamins: A, B12, C, E
- Minerals: iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium
- Healthy fats
- Antioxidants
- Insects are considered a sustainable and healthy source of protein as they can be farmed at high densities and use fewer resources than traditional meats.
Edible insects
There are many types of edible insects. Some popular types of insects include:
- Crickets
- Silkworms
- Palm weevil larvae (duong dua)
- Ant eggs
- Earthworms
- Caterpillars
- Scorpions
- Palm beetles
- Yellow ants
- Wild rats
Edible insect dishes
Insects can be cooked into many different dishes, from snacks to main courses to desserts. Some popular insect dishes include:
Snacks
- Fried crickets
- Roasted silkworms with lemongrass
- Fried palm weevil larvae
- Sautéed ant eggs with with piper lolot
- Roasted yellow ants with salt
- Roasted palm beetles with salt
Main courses
- Cricket soup
- Silkworm porridge
- Palm weevil larvae hotpot
- Ant eggs sticky rice
- Roasted earthworms
- Sautéed ant eggs with piper lolot
- Fried scorpions
Desserts
- Silkworm cookie
- Cricket ice cream
- Silkworm pudding
Precautions when eating insects
When eating insects, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Choose fresh, clean insects with no strange odor.
- Cook insects thoroughly before eating to ensure food safety.
- Do not eat too many insects at once as this may cause indigestion.
Insect cuisine is becoming increasingly popular around the world, especially in developed countries. As people’s awareness of the nutritional value and sustainability of insects continues to grow, insect cuisine could become a new food trend in the future.
