Insects, more than a snack

Entomophagy is defined as the human consumption of insects, and according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than two billion people, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, supplement their diets with the intake of a wide variety of insects. Entomophagy in Mexico and the Rest of the WorldChapulines, aphids, beetles, maguey worms, ahuahutle (known as Mexican caviar), axayacatl, jumiles, and escamoles are some of the insects that are part of the Mexican diet, some of which are part of high Mexican cuisine. These species have been consumed since pre-Hispanic times and have remained in the culinary preferences of Mexicans.You can also read: Exotic ingredients in Mexican cuisine The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development specifies that the insects consumed in the national territory are approximately 550 edible species out of the 1,900 insect species worldwide that are suitable for food.According to the FAO, these are the consumption preferences:1. Beetles with 31% intake2. Caterpillars with 18% preference 3. Bees, wasps, and ants with 14% consumption4. Grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets with 13% consumption5. Cicadas, planthoppers, leafhoppers, pillbugs, and bedbugs with 10% intake6. Termites account for only 3% of the reference7. Dragonflies with 3% intake8. Flies are also consumed at 2%9. Other insects 5%Read more: Are charales nutritious? Is it safe to practice entomophagy?According to experts in entomophagy, there are currently no known cases of disease transmission or parasites from the consumption of insects to humans. However, it is always important that they are collected, transported, and cooked under hygienic conditions, just like any other food.While most insects used for food are captured in the wild, there are also farms where they are raised to increase the production of this food, which, according to the Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, provide a large amount of nutrients including: fiber and proteins, as well as other micronutrients such as copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese, among others.Therefore, today not only whole insects are inferred and marketed, but there are also flours, powdered consommés, and breaded products made from ground insects.Continue wrapped: Eating insects, the healthiest diet