Photo courtesy of Christoph Meinersmann

Did you know that beetles are the most commonly eaten insect around the world? It’s true.

But that doesn’t mean that beetles are where you should start if you’re new to the idea of entomophagy (that’s fancy-talk for eating bugs).

Western cultures have been slow to warm up to the idea of insect eating. But the truth is that in places where insects are a common food, they are eaten because they taste good! People in many parts of Asia and Africa catch a variety of bugs to add flavor to their dishes.

Sure, insects, grubs, and worms are nutritious. But you aren’t really going to get huge amounts of protein from such tiny creatures. The real reason people eat insects is flavor variety.

If you’re interested in trying insects as part of your diet, here are the most palatable edible insect varieties for those who are new to this practice.

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers are popular in a lot of areas where insects are consumed regularly. They’re one of the larger varieties of common insects, making them worth the effort to catch and fill your belly.

Here’s the thing about grasshoppers and other insects. They’re usually cooked before they’re eaten, and they cook up crispy and add crunch to your food.

If you want to catch your own grasshoppers, know that they are usually out during the day, and you will hear them chirping. Roast or sauté them, and then remove the legs, antennae, and head.

Cooked grasshoppers are described as tasting like nutty chicken.

Crickets

Crickets are in the same order of insects as grasshoppers. You can hunt them by following their sound, as well. But crickets are typically out at night.

There are different varieties of crickets, and some are larger than others. They taste very similar to grasshoppers, with a nutty flavor after cooking. That being said, larger varieties have a bit more taste than smaller crickets, which tend to just be crunchy and taste like whatever seasoning you put on them.

You’ll find crickets served as a crunch-factor with sweets, like cookies topped with roasted crickets and suckers with a cricket inside.

Basically, crickets are the popcorn or peanuts of the insect world.

Ants

Ants come in a lot of different varieties, and their flavor depends on the variety, the size, and the cooking method (or lack thereof). Ants create an acid used to subdue their prey, and that acid gives them a sour or acidic taste.

It’s safe to eat ants raw if you like that flavor. Some describe it as a mildly citrus taste, like lemon. But a lot of people like to cook ants by boiling them, which reduces the acidity.

Termites

Termites may seem tiny and not worth the effort, but they pack a lot of protein and fat energy for their size (though, still not as much as the meat of a larger animal). They’re easy to find and catch in rotting wood (especially the larvae, which don’t have wings yet).

Many people snack on them raw. Uncooked, they are said to taste like pineapple. And after cooking, termites become crunchy and have a mild vegetable flavor.

Although you may be grossed out at the idea of eating insects, the truth is that the majority of edible insects have very mild, palatable flavors. Follow The Tye-Dyed Iguana for more interesting discussions of the animal world, or to buy the kind of edible bugs your lizard eats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What insects taste the best?

Crickets are often described as nutty, similar to roasted nuts. Mealworms have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Chapulines (grasshoppers) are popular in Mexican cuisine with a crunchy, savory taste. Wax moth larvae are buttery and rich. Flavor varies significantly based on preparation method and seasoning.

Is it safe to eat insects?

Yes, when sourced from farms raised for human consumption. Over 2 billion people worldwide regularly eat insects. They are high in protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. Never eat insects collected from the wild (pesticide risk) or from pet store feeders (raised for animal consumption, not human food safety standards).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can humans eat the same insects as reptiles?

Some feeder insects are also edible for humans, including crickets, mealworms, and black soldier fly larvae. Edible insects are high in protein, low in fat, and environmentally sustainable. However, insects sold as reptile feeders may not be produced under human food safety standards, so purchase from food-grade sources for human consumption.

What do insects taste like?

Crickets have a mild, slightly nutty flavor often compared to sunflower seeds. Mealworms taste similar to roasted nuts. Black soldier fly larvae are described as earthy and mild. The taste varies significantly depending on how the insects are prepared: roasted, fried, or ground into flour for baking.