Boogers that will save the world: perspectives of entomophagy (6 photos)

The world's population is growing before our eyes. And to avoid food crisis, which may come in 50 years, certain precautionary measures are needed.





One of the promising directions in this regard is entomophagy is the eating of insects. No, in Africa, Australia and Asia people look at such things calmly. And they practice eating all sorts of bugs if not on a permanent basis, then as an exotic food for sure. Europeans do not have this feature.



No, it's one thing to try an exotic dish like bread. from crickets. Or learn about the presence of a certain amount in tea brewing insect remains. Not very pleasant, but you can survive. And quite the other is to switch to a diet of crawling, flying, buzzing and biting on an ongoing basis.



But now the publications in the media are carefully leading the people to this. They say that bugs eat bugs, birds eat bugs, mammals eat bugs - and Everything is fine. Larvae are not only protein (which is 10 times more in compared to beef), but also vitamins. A flour of the most promising in parts of insect entomophagy - locusts, crickets and darkling beetles its characteristics are significantly superior to grain.



The decision to use insects for food is not only elegant, but and rational. The cost of growing is less, the area too. Like waste. But is the world ready for such a transition emotionally?

Of course, separate attempts are being made in the West. So, in the States, the student Laura d'Acapo became a pioneer. Young woman I tried fried caterpillars in Africa, and when I returned home, I started Collaborate with Boston chefs to develop dishes with adding insects.



The Taste of Insects project has been running in Denmark for several years now. Visitors to the Noma restaurant are offered dishes from them, which are created and tested in a special laboratory.

And that's great. After all, in 30 years the population of the planet reach 9 billion. And protein needs can be safely satisfy with insects. But there are nuances: bacteria, viruses and parasites that infect insects require further study. You can not discount and allergies. And, of course, pure psychology: how can you eat what you want if you don’t run away with a cry at all shoulder blades, then absolutely smear it with a slipper just for the repulsive view?



That is, the world is ready to give six-legged cattle as protein food. But is the person ready to accept it?

Do you think there are prospects for this direction?