Entomophagy in the western world has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity as people are starting to appreciate numerous benefits of eating bugs. As a result, enormous amounts of information and data on edible insects have emerged in news articles, bug eating blogs, commercial insect farming websites, scientific journals, etc. This abundance of information can seem overwhelming when you're just trying to get your mind around the idea of eating bugs. Below you will find a list from coalo.farm of 10 essential pieces covering a broad spectrum of the edible insect world!
1. FAO: Edible Insects- Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security
For the Academic.
If you’re already somewhat familiar with entomophagy, you might have heard about the Food and Agriculture Organization’s report on edible insects. This is the central piece on the current global state of entomophagy. The report has played a major role in the recent emergence of edible insects throughout Europe, Canada, and the US. Its authors outline the incredible potential of insects to feed and nourish the world’s growing population.
2. How Entomophagy Works
For the Newbie.
Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant, of the popular podcast Stuff You Should Know, gives a short yet comprehensive overview of entomophagy. Bryant covers the history and health benefits of eating insects, as well as the cultural taboo associated with entomophagy. If you need to learn about edible insects ASAP, this article’s slideshow format makes the information easy to digest.
3. New Yorker: Grub
For the Liberal Arts Major.
This well-written piece by Dana Goodyear is a fascinating read even if you don't plan on including bugs in your diet anytime soon. It focuses on the people who have embraced edible insects. This includes scientists, professional chefs, and one entomophagist who happens to be a grandmother of eight. Goodyear also delves into the fascinating recent history of edible insects, which we haven’t seen in many other articles.
4. Nat Geo: U.N. Urges Eating Insects; 8 Popular Bugs to Try
For the Trailblazer.
Crickets have been getting a lot of attention lately. In fact, they’re kind of hogging the spotlight. There are over 1,600 species of edible insects out there… so why not try something new? Find out what it’s like to eat ants, grasshoppers, stinkbugs, and more in this National Geographic article.
5. NPR: The Joys and Ethics of Insect Eating
For the Vegetarian.
NPR’s Barbara J King interviews Robert Nathan Allen, the founder of Little Herds and an important figure in the entomophagy world. RNA talks about edible insects in general, as well as his mission to grow the entomophagy movement through advocacy and education. This interview also tackles a frequently-debated issue: whether or not insects are vegetarian (the verdict: it depends).
6. Edible Bugs and Insects: Are These High Protein Critters the Future of Food?
For the Fitness Fanatic.
Krista Scott-Dixon explores the nutritional side of edible insects, and explains why entomophagy could be the next big thing for fitness enthusiasts. She also includes recipes and some excellent tips on how to start incorporating insects into your diet.
7. TIME: 20 Delicious Bug Recipes from Chefs
For the Foodie.
Maybe you’ve already caught the entomophagy bug and are looking for new and exciting recipes to try. Or perhaps you want to start cooking with insects, but have no idea where to begin. Either way, with dishes like Mealworm Arancini, Grasshopper Guacamole, and Cricket Cobbler, this collection of recipes is guaranteed to take your culinary game to the next level.
8. Venturopoly: 8 reasons why eating insects is the #FutureOfFood
For the Cricket Investor.
Frontier investment guru Josh Galt examines the potential financial windfall of edible insects, and explains why entomophagy could be the next UNICORN of the food industry!
9. What's stopping us from eating insects?
For the Squeamish.
As cricket farmers, we know from experience that many people react with disgust when they first encounter edible insects. This article examines Westerners’ discomfort with entomophagy through an anthropological lens. According to the author, our uneasiness stems from a number of factors: cultural identity, our relationship with food, how bugs are viewed in general, and the nature of disgust as an emotion. We love this article because it reminds us that we can't address people's aversion to edible insects without examining where it comes from.
10: Should We Eat Bugs?
For Everyone.
This isn't an article, but it is one of our favorite videos of all time. It's informative, visually appealing, and a must-see for anyone interested in entomophagy!