Edible Insects: Going From Niche To Mainstream

in #news7 years ago

For many people in the West, they aren't accustomed to having bugs play any part of their diet.

However, though the idea of eating insects might be a foreign concept to them, there are currently billions of people around the world today who do eat insects as a major part of their diet.

Mostly you can find insects playing a large part in diets of those from regions like Asia, Oceania, and Africa. But the trend has now been starting to make its way across Europe, to North America and elsewhere.

A growing number of companies have sprung up in recent years, looking to bring edible bug-products to the mainstream market.


They have been busy trying to educate the average consumer on the benefits of consuming such a product and struggling with trying to make the products appealing enough for them to try for the first time.

At first, ...

many might think that the idea is unappealing and they might convince themselves that they would never bring themselves to consume such a product. But you might be surprised, and the available insect food products continues to grow in variety.

You can now find things like insect-based energy bars, pasta, tortillas, flour, coated insects, and more.


It's estimated that there are something around 1,900 different insects that are deemed to be fit for human consumption. And that includes commonly consumed items like crickets, beetle grubs, grasshoppers, scorpions, and spiders.

The reasons that some give, for why they have become so passionate about bringing this food trend to other countries in the world that might be unfamiliar with the concept of eating bugs, are diverse. But in general, advocates of the insect food trend highlight that it's a much more efficient, cheaper, and eco-friendly way to produce sustainable protein for the masses.

Just recently,...

New York had its very first bug eating festival, and there are a number of similar bug-eating workshops and culinary experiences that are and have been taking place around the US for some time. Not only in the US but also now in places like the UK and elsewhere.

Those in the industry have said that they see themselves currently at a tipping point and that in the next several years to come that they will see some very healthy growth. It's expected that edible insect products will come to play a major role in the diets of many more people in the world.

In 2016 the market for edible insects was estimated to be around $105 million and it's expected that it will continue to grow. It's estimated that by 2021, that this market will grow by roughly 70 percent; with the global market reaching over $1.5 billion.

Pics:
Pixabay
NB Studio Via designindaba.com/sites/default/files/node/news/21865/mcdonalds2.jpg
Youtube via Metro - metro.co.uk/2014/10/13/these-yummy-looking-chocolate-treats-are-actually-insects-massive-sad-face-4903525/

Sources:
http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/food-porn-isnt-new-but-bugs-on-our-dinner-plates-might-just-be-the-next-big-thing-say-adelaide-universitys-professor-andy-lowe/news-story/ed04f640482177aae09d7453cec3b407
https://gizmodo.com/i-ate-wasps-and-scorpions-at-new-yorks-first-bug-eating-1799982254
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/04/16/could-edible-insects-soon-flying-shelves/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/mar/31/insects-uk-diet-2020
https://arcluster.com/global-edible-insects-market-projected-to-grow-70-percent-through-2016-2021/
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Theres-a-Bug-Eating-Festival-in-Brooklyn-This-Weekend-442563723.html

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Oh no, never ever try.

Hey bugs are good! They've been making a small presence at the Sweets & Snacks Expo over the last few years. Add some cheese or chocolate and how can you even tell what it is? CRUNCH

Yeah makes sense I wouldn't be able to tell I don't think!

Yeah, you really can't - if you can cross the mental divide, it's like eating any other salty/sweet snack. I'm not trying to eat worms but bugs with exoskeleton have been decent. Not bad at all

Eww but if I was in the wild and there was nothing else to eat I might eat a bug for protein😊

Haha I dont think I would eat many insects unless covered in chocolate, but sounds like a great opportunity for people wanting to start a shop in a growing market.

I agree, chocolate may actually "taste" better with some insect. Nice and crunchy...

Yeah. Chocolate goes good with a nice crunch.

Yeah and probably much healthier than the other non-chocolate ingredients that usually goes into chocolate which contains a lot of flour and sugar I bet. I don't think I would mind eating insects as long as they are certified as being disease free, I don't want any unintended consequences or side effects. 😐 😑 😯 😦 😧 😮 😲 😵 I hope you have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

What diseases can you get? Cant be any worse than anything else?

Good point...Dr. Axe this health dude wrote a book called Eat Dirt I think. Its about how we need more germs but good germs.

Yeah Ive heard about that bool

Haha I have to admit I am too and was only half joking about selling chocolate covered insects online. Lol.

This gives me the chills , that is disgusting 🤢

Now, now, now...not so bad...let's keep an open mind...Peace.

Hello @doitvoluntarily.

I don't eat meat or dairy and a few other things, so insects would be out for me, but I found this post really interesting. The whole issue seems to be based around mindset and perception. I don't find it weird or horrible to eat insects, considering their nutritional value, but predominantly it's the Western World that seems to turn it's head in disagreement and this has to be down to advertising and conditioning.

If it is true that you are what you eat, then the majority of Westerners are television advertisements. Repetitive symbloism, branding and product placement work towards selling you that item of desire. People cannot make links or think critically whilst purchasing a popuar branded burger, with regards to what is good for them and what isn't.

Anyway, I digress a little, but just wanted to say thank you for the post. It was well written and well put together and was a nice read and well sourced :).

Thank you.

Good point. Branding plays a massive role today.

hahahahaha, I've try eating insects before, its fun :)

Very interesting. Now, please do tell what the chocolate-covered treat is.

What flavors would I get from eating a waterbug?

It's interesting to learn that spiders are edible. I would think the venom would be toxic to the bloodstreams of humans.

You have certainly given me something to research, and learn more about. If this is a harmless way to get nutrition, it's worth considering.

Now grant it, I'm not there yet; but, if presented as a popular snack when visiting those may serve it, at least I know it won't harm me.

Now, for those going ewwww, people pay quite a penny to eat snails...escargot; and fish eggs...caviar. (ROFL)

Thanks for this post.

Peace.

Thank you, this was also in the news in holland recently.. in the future insects are one of the options left if we keep destroying our beautiful world.. Would you like to vote for me as witness? It's free and I would really appreciate it. I wil help me to fulfil my dream.!witness_rival.gif

O yeah that is where I saw it.

very good taste, I want to taste it. great.

Protein for the masses sounds like a noble cause. Especially if it is the same type of protein found in meat, I guess. Not sure if there are different types of proteins, maybe it just depends on the relevant amino acids. Thanks again, I hope you have a WONDERFUL day! 😀 😃 😄 😁 😆

eww eww eww never ever ever yuck now I feel stick lol :)

I was really interested in this for a while. I did a lot of research. Eventually came to the conclusion that the "food shortage" wasn't as dire as it was being made out to be by some of the edible insect proponents. However, I still may try crickets sometime. Cricket flour added to baked goods would be a good supplement.

Global market is getting bigger and bigger as peopel understand its nutritional potential. Here in thailand there are now a few big-scale insects farms.