“Even Westerners, when exposed to some of the favorite traditional foods of indigenous populations, often became enthusiasts.” (Gene R. DeFoliart)
Is that really edible… YES!
Insects have long been the predicted superfood of tomorrow, and are already popular with novelty and in fine dining. Here in Thailand, people from all walks of life consume insects on a daily basis. In fact, there are over 20,000 cricket farms alone in Thailand. Thai people have long raised and consumed insects and have passed this generations onward. The most popular way to eat these insects is to eat them whole and fried in oil. Not the healthiest way to eat them, but extremely popular, even with tourists who see them more of a novelty.
Although a growing number of Americans are ready to sample insects, why has the rise of entomophagy been so slow? There has been a growing presence in general culture though: from insects being eaten on television, to insect dishes being featured at fine dining restaurants, the real fight is against the momentum of American food practices. Cultural norms are usually slow to change, but they do change like other fashions.
Consumption trending upwards
San Francisco-based market research firm Blueshift Research did a recent study on insect-based foods and asked if people would be open to consuming insects. Their research has shown that nearly one-third of respondents rate themselves likely to buy an insect-based product. This rate is not stagnate as quarter-to-quarter the rate is increasing. Another of their recent reports rated insect eating among the most interesting trends scene in the last month, along with gluten-free items and heathy living. Mostly appealing to ages 30 to 44, and those making between $25,000 to $49,999 or more than $150,000. This may come as a huge shock to those who see insects as a “poverty food” or a novelty appealing only to the young and adventurous.
Thanks to a post on the Edible Bug Farm blog we found out that a similar survey has been conducted in the UK. According to the sample of 2,000 consumers interviewed by Canadean, a leading international market research company, 35% of british people would try processed insect food (and 46% insect-based protein bars).
If you do not really trust surveys, this is a real life example (from Daniella Martin’d book “Edible):
<<As a part of this project, in 2006, [enthomologists Marcel Dicke and Arnold Van Huis] proposed the idea of a City of Insects in their small university town of Wageningen. […] “Fine – said the University event advisory committee – as long as you realize that no one outside of Wageningen will come to it”. “You’ll get maybe 2,000 people max,” predicted the PR department. 20,000 attendees later, they were forced to eat their words. Reuters covered it. Telephone calls came from China, South America, from all over Europe. Edible insects had been the hook. They’d gotten 1,750 people to eat bugs at once>>
From novelty to staple food
The western mindset of what is edible is different from what is seen in Thailand. Getting people to try insects is the first and largest obstacle. Getting rid of preconceived notions on what they will taste like. Education and raising public awareness on entomology is where the greatest progress can be made. Moving away from the idea of only having an insect edible if it’s been dunked in chocolate. Using insect flour in baked goods or pasta is one of the best ways to help combat this fear.
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