There is a cliché in journalism where you say that something or other “is having a moment”. In 2024, Sabrina Carpenter released _Espresso_ and suddenly she was having a moment. Right now, the cast of _Celebrity Traitors_ are all having a collective moment.
For much of the 21st century, entomophagy – the eating of insects – has been having a moment. The first edible insect farm opened in the US in 2014, and many have followed its example. Insects are high in protein and there is evidence that farming them produces fewer greenhouse gases than conventional meats (alongside other environmental benefits).
Magazines like _New Scientist_ have run countless stories about edible insects. Insect-based food companies have launched to enormous buzz (sorry, not sorry). Yet entomophagy hasn’t really taken off (again, not sorry).
While edible insects are commonplace in many cultures, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, nowadays they are falling out of favour. In Europe and the US, they have long been viewed with disgust. Western culture reflects this.
Try to think of an example of a fictional character eating insects. Did your mind instantly go to the vampire’s familiar Renfield in _Dracula_, endlessly chowing down on creepy-crawlies while also serving his evil master? Or maybe the, er, let’s go with “problematic” dinner sequence in _Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom_?
The thing is, this cultural belief that insects are gross is just that: cultural. There are insects you absolutely shouldn’t eat because they carry diseases or are poisonous, but many others are safe and nutritious. As I said, plenty of societies use insects as food.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
