WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRUNCH
HOW do these foodstuffs fare in a taste test? Charlotte Payne, of Cambridge University, sampled five for us . . .
EAT GRUB SMOKY BBQ CRUNCHY ROASTED CRICKETS 12g, £1.59, Sainsbury’s stores
THESE 1.5cm dried crickets are sprinkled with barbecue seasoning and have a satisfying crunch, like crisps, and that characteristic umami flavour. Eat them as they are or put them on pizza, or on flatbread with hummus. They are high in animal fat, so use them like crispy bacon to enhance, not overwhelm, a meal.
EAT CRAWLERS BLACK ANTS 10g, £9.90, futurefoodshop.com THEY look like mushy blackberries, are rich in iron and zinc, have a strong stock cube-like smell and I wouldn’t want to eat them by the handful. The maker suggests sprinkling them like ‘seasoning’ and I suspect they’d go best with stir fries or sushi. CRUNCHY CRITTERS, MIXED 20g, £6.49, crunchycritters.com
THE pack says these dried, unflavoured buffalo worms, crickets, mealworms and locusts can be ‘nibbled or cooked’, but I’d recommend cooking — they are bland otherwise. Cover in boiling water for six minutes to rehydrate, then fry with onions and garlic, like prawns. I’d happily serve them at a dinner party.
JIMINI’S GRANOLA WITH BUFFALO WORM FLOUR 250g, £5, jiminis.co.uk
THIS contains just 4 per cent flour made from buffalo worms, which are similar to mealworms, so it is not surprising that it doesn’t taste of insects at all. It is probably a product for those who like having a granola breakfast and want to give it an extra something. The firm says the buffalo worms (beetle larvae) are ‘naturally high in protein, a great source of iron and contain eight essential amino acids’.
THAILAND UNIQUE DRIED SAGO WORMS 10g, £4.40, thailandunique.com
THESE live in the trunk of palm trees and, eaten fresh, are considered a delicacy — big, fatty and creamy. It may be worth experimenting with rehydrating them. They are high in fat and also a source of protein, so if they regain their creamy texture, they could be an interesting alternative to king prawns or paneer.