Published December 17, 2015
The United Nations made headlines a little while ago when it suggested that humans should consume more insects in the future as a way to combat climate change and food availability issues. Many American commenters were aghast at the UN’s seemingly barbaric suggestion. Their horrified reactions are indicative of the North American taboo against insect consumption that casts insects in a disgusting light.
The thing is, it would be a good idea for humans to eat more insects. Bugs are plentiful and nutritious, and raising them doesn’t use a lot of the Earth’s precious resources. Plus, insects can be downright delicious, as people from any of the numerous cultures that eat them regularly would tell you.
Eater has a piece that explores how to win Americans over to the insect-eating cause. They argue that the key to getting Americans into edible bugs is for chefs to embrace the culinary possibilities of bugs. Chefs in America have a long and successful history of getting Americans to eat things that had previously been unthinkable, from ethnic foods like fish sauce and kimchi to strange cuts of meat like sweetbreads and tongue. Making insects the stars of legitimately delicious dishes will do more to convince Americans to eat bugs than trying to hide the bugs by grinding them up into flour, as some people are trying to do.
Read the full article here: What Will It Take For Americans to Eat Insects?
How Can We Get Over the Insect Eating Taboo?
The United Nations made headlines a little while ago when it suggested that humans should consume more insects in the future as a way to combat climate change and food availability issues. Many American commenters were aghast at the UN’s seemingly barbaric suggestion. Their horrified reactions are indicative of the North American taboo against insect consumption that casts insects in a disgusting light.
The thing is, it would be a good idea for humans to eat more insects. Bugs are plentiful and nutritious, and raising them doesn’t use a lot of the Earth’s precious resources. Plus, insects can be downright delicious, as people from any of the numerous cultures that eat them regularly would tell you.
Eater has a piece that explores how to win Americans over to the insect-eating cause. They argue that the key to getting Americans into edible bugs is for chefs to embrace the culinary possibilities of bugs. Chefs in America have a long and successful history of getting Americans to eat things that had previously been unthinkable, from ethnic foods like fish sauce and kimchi to strange cuts of meat like sweetbreads and tongue. Making insects the stars of legitimately delicious dishes will do more to convince Americans to eat bugs than trying to hide the bugs by grinding them up into flour, as some people are trying to do.
Read the full article here: What Will It Take For Americans to Eat Insects?
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