Within 2 years, worm sausages and bug bread will be mainstream.

 Photo source: foodnavigator.com

Meat, insects, and potatoes. This was presented to families and couples by researchers at Wageningen University and the European Union. So, where do we stand now? Meatless options such as worm sausages and insect-based mince are just as tasty as their meaty counterparts. "We can replace Friday fries day with Friday insect day."

While insect-based snacks and bars have been available for some time, full-fledged insect-based meals are still rather uncommon. That's about to change, thanks to the work of researchers like Ine van der Fels-klerx at Wageningen University.

Sausage, curries, or minced meat with insects were served three times a week to families and couples in Portugal and Denmark. The insects were either powdered or chopped up very finely such that no legs or antennae remained. Also, did you know that? "Most adults found it satisfying. "The kids were more skeptical, but they loved the insect mince," adds Van der Fels-Klerx.

Bugs for supper

A half-month's worth of ingredients and recipes were sent to the families and couples. It's like buying a bunch of brand new packages from the grocery store. They used it to make six different dishes. Bread prepared from worm meal, loose minced beef, and curries with cricket flour are all on the table, according to the Wageningen scientist.

What stood me most about the research was how casually the participants treated the insects and how many of them even cut back on their meat consumption as a result. Substituting insects for meat is simple. The study concludes, "These are a legitimate meat alternative due to their high protein content." All of the taste testers, including the kids, agreed that bug meat was just as appetizing as ground beef. And as a result, we cut back on our meat consumption.

The researchers find this to be quite encouraging. They plan to work with the EU to replace 20% of all animal products with insect-based foods by 2025. According to Teun Veldkamp, the leader of the project and an expert in insects, "the question is whether the carrying capacity of the earth is sufficient to meet the demand for meat and fish in a sustainable manner." This was published on the WUR project webpage. According to Veldkamp, conventional livestock farming requires a tremendous amount of land and other natural resources.

He is in favor of eating insects for supper because he thinks it will make livestock husbandry in Europe easier. In Asia, it is customary practice to consume insects, which makes him uncomfortable.

About 50% of people are curious to try it.

More than half of respondents to a questionnaire administered alongside the food packages indicated an interest in trying the bug meals. Health and environmental concerns prompted many people to give insect dinners a shot.

Researchers on the four-year experiment are pictured in the photo below celebrating the conclusion of the project with a variety of bug foods and drinks. By October 1, 2023, they were required to have all results transmitted to the European Union. According to researcher Van der Fels-Klerx, "there were all kinds of snacks, from insect chips to insect beer," and they were all wonderful.