![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization even referred to the insects as “a healthy and highly nutritious food source with a high content of fat, protein, vitamins, fibers and minerals.”īut that’s not all - worms have even been shown to have medical benefits.Įarlier this year, scientists discovered worms could detect lung cancer. The results, which marked the first time beetle larvae had been repurposed as faux beef, will hopefully be used to influence the mass production of worm meat, according to researchers.įoodies in the EU have included mealworms on their menus for a while now, following research that declared the critters safe to consume. “As a result of this study, 10 of the reaction flavors were optimized based on consumer preferences,” said co-author and graduate student Hyeyoung Park, who presented the findings at an American Chemical Society convention in Chicago. When mixed with sugar, they brewed a “meat-like” concoction.Īfter trial and error with various amounts of mealworms and sugar, a testing group was given samples to declare a winner that had the most meaty scent. In fact, the prepared worms had more similarities to food than just smells - chemicals formed that researchers said were similar to those found in meat or seafood. Steamed mealworms emitted aromas of sweet corn, while roasted or deep-fried larvae were more oily. Raw larvae smelled of wet soil, shrimp and sweet corn, but that changed depending on the method of cooking. They found “volatile hydrocarbons” that evaporated and resulted in strong scents. Through their research, Cho’s team studied mealworms throughout their entire lifecycle, looking at how the compounds present differed in each stage. However, edible insects are not universally accepted in our food cultures due to their repellant appearance and unique flavor characteristics,” added Cho, whose solution is to grind the worms into a seasoning that can be added to various food products. “Mealworm is one of the most widely used edible insects in the world. In many places, insects are not considered delicacies, unlike in other countries, but Cho is attempting to remedy the stigma. Getty Images/Bloomberg Creativeīut the squeamish might not voluntarily chow down on slimy worms. “Mealworm contains beneficial essential amino acids and is high in unsaturated fatty acids.” The worm might not look appetizing to some. “Insects are a nutritious and healthy food source with high amounts of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber and high-quality protein - which is like that of meat,” Cho said. In fact, the critters are a great source of nutrients the body needs, similar to that of meat, according to researchers, and have been shown to reduce cholesterol and inflammation while improving heart rhythms. Hee Cho, the project leader from Wonkwang University, in a press release.īecause the global population is approximated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 - a large jump from our current nearly 8 billion population - meat alternatives are highly sought after due to their lower impact on the environment.Ĭlimate change is partially fueled by cow emissions - due to the methane they produce - hence the need for beef substitutes.įor those who aren’t willing to part with their burgers, the scientists might have found a solution with the mealworms: grinding them up and seasoning them to taste just like the real thing. “Recently, eating insects has become of interest because of the increasing cost of animal protein, as well as the associated environmental issues,” said Dr. South Korean scientists have cooked mealworms, or beetle larvae, along with sugar to create “meat” - and they claim it tastes authentic. The slimy creatures known as mealworms, just like their name suggests, can be turned into grub. The March 2023 full Worm Moon in Virgo will give structure to dreamsĬreepy-crawly gel robots being trained to root out disease in bodyĬreepy crawlies could be the key to solving world hunger - by eating them as food. ‘Tequila worms’ in mezcal bottles are actually moth larvae, researchers sayĬhina pummeled by ‘rain of worms’ as residents asked to carry umbrellas ![]()
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