Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: thedoc on 10/10/2016 09:58:50

Title: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: thedoc on 10/10/2016 09:58:50
Would you eat insects to save the planet and improve your health?

Read the article (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/the-future-of-food/) then tell us what you think...
Title: Re: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: alancalverd on 10/10/2016 12:29:05
I've tried making burgers with powdered crickets, but the aftertaste is disgusting. People describe insects as "nutty" and whilst this is OK for one or two fried crickets or locusts as an appetiser, the overpowering stench is of sour walnuts and the aftertaste lingers for hours - not what you want in a staple food, and so far, very difficult to mask with onion or garlic.

If anyone can offer an analysis of the sour nut odor, and even better, some idea of the chemistry that might neutralise it, I'd be very grateful. I have it in mind to harvest tonnes (yes, tonnes - serious business venture) of wild locusts which, on paper, are the best food resource we have, but there's no point if I can't turn it into something people want to eat every day.

Woodlice are edible but apparently stink like stale urine. Happy to consider all sorts of institution-scale chemistry to make any insect palatable!
Title: Re: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: Tim the Plumber on 10/10/2016 13:13:57
When we are throwing food away/using it as fuel just to increase the price of it so already rich farmers can get more rich why would we want to do any of this silly none sense?
Title: Re: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: alancalverd on 10/10/2016 17:41:30
Why do we breed beyond sustainability?

I'm interested in turning an intractable problem (locusts eat green crops) into a solution (locusts are better at converting green crops into meat than birds or animals).

Fortunately the UK is leaving the EU so we won't have to support artificial market prices for food much longer, but it still makes sense to eat locusts in those countries where they are plentiful.
Title: Re: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: vhfpmr on 12/10/2016 12:48:26
Fortunately the UK is leaving the EU so we won't have to support artificial market prices for food much longer
We will if the Brexiters keep their promise to the farmers......
Title: Re: Should we switch to an insect diet?
Post by: Wicked96 on 20/11/2016 12:44:36
Sure if it was the best solution :D