Netherlands makes big push for insects as food

[Fat Guy]

The New York Times reports that there's a Dutch movement afoot to popularize the eating of bugs as a superior protein source.

The efforts of Mr. Van Dongen and Sligro, a chain of 25 membership-only warehouse stores throughout the Netherlands, are part of a drive to convince the Dutch that crickets, worms and caterpillars are healthier sources of protein, and are less taxing on the environment, than steaks and pork chops.

[gfweb]

No.

[Peter the eater]

The global population is supposed to hit 7 million next year so I think bugs-as-food is inevitable. So far, I've only had them by accident and I'm still a long, long way from embracing them as a yummy meal replacement.

[Wholemeal Crank]

Just think of them as very teeny-tiny lobsters. And little free-range escargots.

[heidih]

Like other proteins that we eat, some of us get squeamish when we see it "on the hoof" or just block out where it came from in an attempt to deny that we are eating Daisy or Wilbur. That is why the vast masses seem to prefer the packaged cut up product; and please no heads or feet... Insects are so small it is kind of hard to hide their origin I imagine. Perhaps someone will come up with a more visually acceptable packaging and presentation. I have never been offered insects or sought them out, but I try to keep an open mind.

[Kouign Aman]

Depends on where the 'vast masses' live.

Bugs are popular snack foods in much of Asia.

[heidih]

Depends on where the 'vast masses' live.

Bugs are popular snack foods in much of Asia.

Right, as well as in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. I was thinking of the US.

[IndyRob]

Are we going to need Modernist Cuisine, Volume Seven? Come to think of it, I have read that they're experimenting with patriot-missile-style laser zapping of malaria infected mosquitoes in the same lab, so, you know, maybe it's kismet....