Aussies are being urged to eat CRICKETS for meals – would you try them?
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What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about eating insects? Are you repulsed, curious, or a combination of the two?
Numerous bugs, creepy-crawlies, and critters have been consumed for centuries. This is especially true in developing nations where they are seen not only as a healthy food source but also often as a delicacy to be relished and appreciated.
And of course here in Australia, the Witchetty grub is still considered a delicacy in some indigenous communities.
Believe it or not, one of the most popular insects eaten around the world is the humble cricket. Due to consumer demand for more sustainable protein options, products containing cricket protein have increased in popularity, especially in recent years.
However, many people from different cultures continue to doubt the safety (and, let's face it, palatability) of eating crickets, and these worries have made it difficult to promote edible insects and have deterred less adventurous diners from doing so.
That is probably the reason why this particular Aussie couple has made it their mission to popularise eating bugs as a healthy, delicious, high-protein meal option.
Cricket protein products are becoming more popular because consumers want sustainable protein sources. Credit: EatCrickster.
Alessandro Ranieri and Suji Yoo are professional personal trainers who are constantly looking for nutritious and flavourful new foods to try and suggest to their clients.
When the couple happened to come across some creepy crawlies to eat, they enjoyed them so much that they decided to add them to the menu for their meal preparation business Human Food Odyssey.
"They taste exactly like prawns when you eat them whole, and you can ground them down into a powder which goes well in everything, even burgers," said Alessandro.
They both come from families that have a strong emphasis on food— Alessandro's family is from Italy, and Suji's family is from Korea.
Like their ancestors before them, they enjoy cooking, base a lot of their lifestyle around eating healthy and delicious meals and give seasonal ingredients top priority. The couple decided their menu should highlight locally grown, simple-to-grow produce, including everything from wattleseed to finger limes.
In their opinion, Alessandro and Suji are laying the foundation for a future in which there will be a significant increase in the consumption of insects and other sustainable sources of protein. Mealworms may be the next insect on the menu, according to the couple, who are looking to expand their menu with more critters.
Crickets are rich in protein and more sustainable than beef. Credit: StockPhotoTrends.
Naturally, there are a lot of people who are curious about whether or not eating crickets poses any dangers. This is not surprising, especially considering how many of us have a natural aversion to seeing insects around the house, let alone putting them in our mouths. They are frequently considered unclean and, in many cases, a menace to be disposed of.
But it's simple to appreciate the many obvious benefits of eating crickets once you break free from these social conventions. They are sustainable and one of the best sources of protein on the planet. In terms of the use of water, space, and CO2 emissions, they are also the least polluting animal protein.
Although you can find crickets almost anywhere in the wild, it's usually safer to buy them in the form of carefully produced cricket flour or powder. Cricket powder is extremely high in protein, has baking qualities similar to regular flour, and tastes a little nutty.
Learn more about how eating edible insects can help create a more sustainable food system by watching the video below.
Credit: STORYHIVE.
Numerous bugs, creepy-crawlies, and critters have been consumed for centuries. This is especially true in developing nations where they are seen not only as a healthy food source but also often as a delicacy to be relished and appreciated.
And of course here in Australia, the Witchetty grub is still considered a delicacy in some indigenous communities.
Believe it or not, one of the most popular insects eaten around the world is the humble cricket. Due to consumer demand for more sustainable protein options, products containing cricket protein have increased in popularity, especially in recent years.
However, many people from different cultures continue to doubt the safety (and, let's face it, palatability) of eating crickets, and these worries have made it difficult to promote edible insects and have deterred less adventurous diners from doing so.
That is probably the reason why this particular Aussie couple has made it their mission to popularise eating bugs as a healthy, delicious, high-protein meal option.
Cricket protein products are becoming more popular because consumers want sustainable protein sources. Credit: EatCrickster.
Alessandro Ranieri and Suji Yoo are professional personal trainers who are constantly looking for nutritious and flavourful new foods to try and suggest to their clients.
When the couple happened to come across some creepy crawlies to eat, they enjoyed them so much that they decided to add them to the menu for their meal preparation business Human Food Odyssey.
"They taste exactly like prawns when you eat them whole, and you can ground them down into a powder which goes well in everything, even burgers," said Alessandro.
They both come from families that have a strong emphasis on food— Alessandro's family is from Italy, and Suji's family is from Korea.
Like their ancestors before them, they enjoy cooking, base a lot of their lifestyle around eating healthy and delicious meals and give seasonal ingredients top priority. The couple decided their menu should highlight locally grown, simple-to-grow produce, including everything from wattleseed to finger limes.
In their opinion, Alessandro and Suji are laying the foundation for a future in which there will be a significant increase in the consumption of insects and other sustainable sources of protein. Mealworms may be the next insect on the menu, according to the couple, who are looking to expand their menu with more critters.
Crickets are rich in protein and more sustainable than beef. Credit: StockPhotoTrends.
Naturally, there are a lot of people who are curious about whether or not eating crickets poses any dangers. This is not surprising, especially considering how many of us have a natural aversion to seeing insects around the house, let alone putting them in our mouths. They are frequently considered unclean and, in many cases, a menace to be disposed of.
But it's simple to appreciate the many obvious benefits of eating crickets once you break free from these social conventions. They are sustainable and one of the best sources of protein on the planet. In terms of the use of water, space, and CO2 emissions, they are also the least polluting animal protein.
Although you can find crickets almost anywhere in the wild, it's usually safer to buy them in the form of carefully produced cricket flour or powder. Cricket powder is extremely high in protein, has baking qualities similar to regular flour, and tastes a little nutty.
Learn more about how eating edible insects can help create a more sustainable food system by watching the video below.
Credit: STORYHIVE.
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