Where Can You Find Edible Insects?

Grasshoppers and crickets are protein-rich insects that can be collected and eaten in various countries, including China, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and Ghana. There are over 1, 900 edible insect species on the planet, with some being more popular than others. Edible bugs can contain harmful parasites like nematodes or tapeworm, but there are many types of insects that can be eaten and created into delicacies through tradition and tradition.

Edible insects are abundant, efficient to produce, and require fewer resources than traditional livestock. They can be farmed on a small scale in urban areas and are part of people’s diets. Newport Jerky Company offers a wide variety of edible insects, including crickets, scorpions, ants, and grasshoppers. They also offer cricket powder, ready-to-eat insects, and popular snacks from Thailand.

In the Xingu National Park, insects are a food source for many indigenous ethnic groups, including ant species like the saúva or tanajura (of the genus Atta). The ultimate BUGSfeed directory of stores and restaurants offering edible insects offers a list by type, country, insect, or product.

Where Are Insects Mostly Found?

Insects inhabit nearly every environment on Earth, from scorching deserts to frigid mountain streams. Approximately 97% of them are terrestrial, thriving on land. They utilize various materials for shelter, such as leaves, mud, and twigs, while some produce their own, like silk and wax. Common habitats for insects include wet coastal regions, where species like dragonflies and mosquitoes lay eggs and undergo larval development, as well as sandy beaches where beetles and butterflies forage. Insects have adapted remarkably to diverse habitats, including deserts, rainforests, and freshwater systems like ponds and streams.

Being the most diverse and abundant group within the arthropod phylum, insects have existed for over 350 million years, outliving both dinosaurs and flowering plants. Their population is especially high in terrestrial settings, including forests and grasslands, though they are less common in marine environments, with a notable presence in brackish waters like salt marshes.

Insects possess distinct physical traits such as a chitinous exoskeleton, providing protection and structural support. They have three body sections—head, thorax, and abdomen—three pairs of legs, and a pair of antennae, with many species having the unique ability to fly. While the majority of insect species are solitary, a few, including bees, ants, and termites, display complex social behavior by living in organized colonies. Each insect, whether it is a solitary beetle or a social bee, plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.

Despite some people finding them unsettling, insects are vital to the balance of our world, facilitating processes such as pollination and decomposition. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in environments ranging from high-altitude mountains to the depths of tropical rainforests, underscoring their remarkable resilience and ecological importance.

Are Edible Insects Safe To Eat?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlights edible insects as a significantly underutilized resource with immense potential as an innovative food source, offering numerous benefits to humans. Insects present a healthy, nutritious, and sustainable food choice, addressing both environmental and nutritional challenges. There are over 1, 900 edible insect species globally, making them a diverse option for consumers.

Ensuring the safety and healthiness of consuming insects hinges on selecting them from reputable suppliers and proper preparation methods. Currently, more than 2 billion people incorporate insects into their daily diets, showcasing their acceptance and versatility across different cultures.

Edible insects are often lauded as sustainable superfoods, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock by requiring fewer resources and producing lower greenhouse gas emissions. Popular edible insects include crickets, which are rich in iron, protein, and vitamin B12, as well as sow bugs and various ant species. These insects are prepared in numerous ways, from deep-frying to seasoning with spices, making them adaptable to various culinary preferences. While most insects are safe to eat when cooked, it is crucial to avoid consuming raw insects and to be aware of potential poisonous species.

The World Health Organization has approved over 2, 000 insect species for human consumption, although specific regulations by bodies like the FDA are still pending. Despite their benefits, there are concerns regarding the safety of edible insects, particularly among certain demographics, such as women. Overall, farmed insects are generally clean and safe, especially post-ecdysis, and their environmental, nutritional, and economic advantages make them a promising component of future sustainable diets.

Where Do Most People Eat Insects?

Entomophagy, or the practice of eating insects, is a widespread and healthy habit embraced by over 150 countries worldwide, particularly in Southern Mexico, where the consumption of various insect species is the highest. Notably, Mexico stands out for its grasshopper tacos, known as chapulines tacos, which are a delicious introduction to insect consumption. While entomophagy is uncommon in Europe, Canada, and the United States, many regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America incorporate insects into their diet.

Globally, more than 2 billion people reportedly consume insects daily, with over 2, 000 species considered edible. Countries like China and Mexico lead in insect consumption, with people consuming more than 300 species. Insect-eating is a traditional practice in cultures across the world, especially in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia, where roughly 80% of nations partake in this dietary custom.

Commonly consumed insects include maguey worms, grasshoppers, escamoles (ant larvae), stink bugs, and atta ants, which are often boiled, fried, or used in sauces, stews, and tacos. In regions like Ghana, winged termites are harvested and enjoyed during the spring rains. Despite the view of insects as pests in many Western countries, their high protein and fat content make them a valuable food source globally.

The diverse flavors of these insects contribute to their popularity as whole foods or as ingredients in processed products like burger patties, highlighting a significant cultural and nutritional role in the diets of many communities.

What Is Insect Meat Called?

Entomophagy is the scientific term for the practice of eating insects, a tradition that has existed for thousands of years as humans have harvested eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of various insect species. Insects are considered nutritious and healthy alternatives to common protein sources like chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Notably, they present a lower ecological footprint than traditional livestock, making them a more sustainable protein source.

Edible insects, often raised through practices termed insect farming, provide high-quality proteins, fats, and dietary fibers, and their breeding requires significantly less land and water than livestock. While insects are viewed as nutritious, perspectives on their consumption are mixed—some find them both healthier and more unappealing compared to conventional meats. Over 2 billion people worldwide consume insects daily, with historical consumption dating back to the Aztecs.

Types of edible insects include escamoles, known as "insect caviar," derived from black ants. The terminology surrounding insect consumption includes anthropo-entomophagy, which specifically identifies human consumption of insects. Ultimately, although insects possess muscle tissues, making them technically meat, a true vegetarian would not consume them. The debate on suitable names for insect meat continues, but one suggestion is "grub."

Where Are Edible Insects Found?

Our study identifies a total of 2, 205 insect species consumed worldwide, spanning across 128 countries. Asia leads in edible insect species diversity with 932 species, followed by North America (primarily Mexico) and Africa. Notably, there is a close correlation between insect species diversity and their consumption, especially in the orders Orthoptera and Diptera. A comprehensive list includes popular edible insects such as crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, ants, and silkworms.

As modern agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions—accounting for 14% of total emissions—edible insects present a sustainable alternative protein source, beneficial for both human diets and environmental impact. While they have traditionally been integral to diets in many Asian, African, and Latin American cultures, their acceptance in Western diets is gradually increasing, with products like protein bars and insect flour appearing on store shelves. Additionally, rural communities, especially in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, regularly consume insects as a staple or supplement.

Although most edible insects are harvested from the wild, large-scale farming practices are gaining momentum, particularly in Europe and North America, with East Africa (notably Kenya and Uganda) having the highest concentration of insect farms. The consumption of Lepidopterans, Orthopterans, Isopterans, and Hymenopterans is common in various cultural contexts, indicating an expanding global interest in entomophagy as a viable solution to food sustainability amidst rising population demands.

Why Do Mexicans Eat Crickets?

Desde tiempos prehispánicos, los insectos han sido una parte fundamental de la dieta mexicana, debido a su sabor y alto contenido de proteínas. Uno de los insectos más populares son los chapulines (grillos). Los habitantes del Valle de México los han considerado un componente vital de sus dietas desde épocas antiguas. Los mexicanos antiguos veían en los insectos una fuente de alimento; por ejemplo, los grillos son limpios y cocinados, ya sea tostados para usarlos como un ingrediente crujiente en tacos. Otros insectos con sabores más fuertes se muelen en polvo.

La gastronomía mexicana incluye staples como tortillas, frijoles, chiles y chorizo, pero también se pueden encontrar en algunas regiones huevos de hormiga, langostas cubiertas de chocolate y gusanos en dulces. Algunos insectos se crían intencionalmente como fuente alimentaria. La fundadora de Don Bugito, Monica Martínez, cree que sus snacks de insectos pueden contribuir a un suministro alimentario más sostenible.

En la Ciudad de México, algunos restaurantes ofrecen platillos prehispánicos como chapulines y escamoles, pero debido a la irregularidad de los suministros y los altos precios, son más bien considerados un manjar.

Los chapulines son una especie cultivada y su consumo es una tradición de generaciones en ciertas regiones de México, donde se han comido históricamente por necesidad y como parte de la cultura. A pesar de su alto valor nutricional, en la Ciudad de México son caros y menos comunes.

Is It Legal To Eat Insects?

Edible insects are not directly covered by regulations except for the Food Defect Action Levels, which acknowledge insects as unavoidable defects in certain agricultural products. Though consuming edible insects generally does not lead to significant health issues, allergic reactions have been noted. The CFS advises food trade to ensure products are safe for human consumption and compliant with local laws. While two billion people consume insects globally, their acceptance varies, particularly in Europe and North America.

The FDA requires that insects intended for human consumption be bred specifically for that purpose, and related products must meet established standards. Mexico is noted for having the highest diversity of edible insects, presenting a healthy dietary option. Recent developments include the EU's approval for the sale of certain insect species for human consumption in various forms, reflecting a growing interest in sustainable protein sources. Despite these advancements and the nutritional benefits of edible insects, consumer acceptance remains a challenge.

Notably, while some insect parts are legally permitted in various food products, the situation regarding the legality of edible insect sales in the UK has changed, leading to current restrictions. Transition measures in the EU have permitted specific insect species to remain available, and since September 2021 there have been new regulations allowing the use of insect proteins in animal feed.

What Is The Most Common Edible Bug?

Beetles are the most widely consumed insects globally, representing 31% of all edible insect species, primarily eaten in their larval stage, including the Molitor beetle and palm worm. This practice, known as entomophagy, involves the consumption of insects, which is commonplace in many cultures. Approximately two billion people consume insects daily, with over 1, 000 species recognized as edible across 80 countries. Beetles, crickets, ants, grasshoppers, and silkworms are among the most popular edible insects.

For instance, a cockroach contains 65% protein, surpassing the 50% found in beef. Among edible insects, crickets, honeybees, and mealworms possess high nutritional value, making them favorable food sources. Ants are the most prevalent edible insects, with over 12, 000 species globally. Other insects contributing to the diet include palm weevil grubs in Asia, giant water bugs in North America, and mopane worms in Africa. The most commonly eaten groups of insects also include caterpillars, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, true bugs, dragonflies, and termites.

Commercially, major edible insect species include the cricket (Acheta domesticus), honeybee (Apis mellifera), and domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori). Furthermore, various types of insects, such as the long-horned, dung, and rhinoceros beetles, attract consumption in regions like the Amazon. This growing practice reflects a shift in dietary habits towards more sustainable protein sources.

Is Aldi Selling Edible Insects?

ALDI is exploring the possibility of selling edible insects, motivated by a small business showcased on Channel 4’s "Aldi’s Next Big Thing." This initiative aims to offer sustainable food options amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, which is affecting many families. The supermarket's executives were particularly impressed by Yum Budget, a company that specializes in insect recipe kits, leading them to contemplate introducing similar products. Edible insects, such as crickets, are recognized for being a cheap and sustainable source of protein, making them an attractive option as food prices rise.

While Aldi has expressed interest in this innovative approach, they have advised producers to return in five years, indicating a cautious stance regarding immediate implementation. Insects have been suggested as a viable food source due to their environmental benefits and nutritional value, yet they have yet to gain widespread acceptance as a mainstream budget-friendly alternative in the UK food market. The growing interest in alternative protein sources reflects a broader trend toward sustainability in food production.

ALDI's consideration of insect-based options underscores its commitment to providing affordable food while also addressing environmental concerns. Customers may soon see insect recipe kits appear on their shelves as Aldi weighs this opportunity for future offerings.