Insects put to the taste test
成人大片 researchers are creating a new tool that will help people understand what it鈥檚 like to eat one of the most sustainable and protein-rich food sources on the planet: edible insects.
While the practice of eating insects has been around since prehistoric times it鈥檚 only in more recent years, as we search for sustainable food sources, that edible insects have hopped into the spotlight.
Edible insect species are rich in protein and have high micronutrient profiles. Insect farming is also vastly more efficient than other forms of protein production, requiring significantly less water and space, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
But even though millions of people worldwide embrace insects as part of their diet, the practice of 鈥榚ntomophagy鈥 has yet to catch on with western cultures.
成人大片 PhD student from the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Ishka Bless, believes that one of the main barriers keeping Australian consumers from enjoying insects is simply a lack of experience with the food.
鈥淧eople feel hesitant about trying new foods when they don鈥檛 know what flavours and textures to expect.鈥
鈥淭here are also a lot of overwhelmingly negative connotations associated with insects, for example: 鈥榩ests鈥 and 鈥榗reepy crawlies鈥.鈥
To solve this problem, Ms Bless has recruited taste testers who will assist in creating a new resource for consumers and industry groups that will help them understand the sensory experience behind eating bugs.聽
The taste testers will sample a variety of edible insects, including mealworms, house crickets, tyrant ants and green ants, prepared using different cooking techniques.
Their descriptions of the food will then be used to create a vocabulary and sensory wheel 鈥 a common tool in food science that helps describe the sensations associated with a particular product.
What鈥檚 next?
Ms Bless hopes that the sensory wheel will help people understand the diverse and interesting sensory profiles of insects, and get more comfortable with the idea of eating them. The vocabulary and sensory wheel may also support the emerging edible insect industry, with applications in new product development, marketing and consumer research.
鈥淚f we can help to get people more comfortable with insects as a food and ingredient by breaking down some of the barriers, such as better describing the experience of entomophagy, we may be able to help people incorporate a few bugs into their everyday diets.鈥
Importantly, as demand for insect ingredients increases, they will become cheaper and more accessible for the regular consumer. This will make it easier for people to enjoy products with insect ingredients and eat sustainable foods. Two bugs, one stone.
Featured researcher聽
Ishka Bless
PhD candidate聽
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine