5 Insects You Should Eat But Probably Wouldn’t: Insects on a Stick


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James Bent

James Bent

07/19/09

There are millions of insect species known worldwide. Only 1500 or so are reported edible. This post reviews only 5 of those you could eat and how they are cooked throughout the world.

Entomophagy (a Greek word which means “insect eating”) is the practice of eating insects as food. While it is quite an ordinary thing in most Eastern cultures, it is considered a taboo in Europe and North America which may seem odd considering how plentiful and protein-packed insects are.

So unless you believe in the saying “You are what you eat“, you might probably consider adding a few insects in your daily menu:

1. Scorpions on Stick:

The so-called ‘desert lobster has a poisonous stinger at the end of a jointed tail. Scorpions are often cooked impaled on a stick, then dunked in boiling oil – they are said to have crunchy texture, but taste like nothing, “like salted peanut shells”.

Useful? Due to its poisonous nature and unusual look, the scorpions are often believed to have plenty of healing properties: scorpion can eliminate the body’s inner heat, treat paralysis, rheumatism, convulsion twitches, tetanus, cancer and hepatitis B.

Scorpions on stick: insects as food

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Scorpions on stick: insects as food

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Scorpions on stick: insects as food

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2. Silkworms

Deep-fried silkworms have a distinctive, yet difficult to describe odor and an after-taste similar to wet, decomposing leaves. The outer shell is tough and should not be eaten.

Useful? Silkworms are a high source of protein, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium and Vitamins B1, B2, and B3. They are good for children who suffer from malnutrition and as a supplement for pregnant women.

Silkworms on stick: insects as food

Silkworms on stick: insects as food

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Silkworms on stick: insects as food

Silkworms on stick: insects as food

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3. Cicadas

Cicadas look much like crickets but are differentiated by their mating call. Like scorpions, cicadas taste like nothing and have cool crunchy texture. The inner part is soft like the white part of a boiled egg. Wings and legs can get stuck in your teeth.

Useful? Cicadas are said to be rich in protein and Vitamins B1, B2, and B3.

Cicadas on stick: insects as food

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Cicadas on stick: insects as food

4. Centipedes

Centipedes are long and leggy, and look and taste not really good (based on other people’s words).

Useful? Centipedes are believed to heal weak kidneys, backache and impotence.

Centipedes on stick: insects as food

Centipedes on stick: insects as food

Centipedes on stick: insects as food

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5. Beetles / Bugs

Before cooking or eating a bug, be sure to remove the hard wings on the back and “lightly squeeze the head between your thumb and index finger to push out the intestines” (tip).

Useful? Bugs are believed to be antidiuretic (i.e. limits the formation of urine) that can cure kids of bed-wetting and the elderly from making too many trips to the toilet.

Beetles on stick: insects as food

Beetles on stick: insects as food

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