Beetles

Beetle, perfect for chewing

Among the most unusual edible insects there is, the beetle may hold the foremost position. With its shell, often black, and its size that can be judged impressive, nothing suggests that we’re talking actually about an excellent snack. And yet, the beetle is quite crunchy and its spicy bacon flavor is turning the experience into a very delicious one. What’s more amazing than inviting your friends to enjoy it as an appetizer?

The beetles available on our website, insectescomestibles.fr, belong to the genus Phyllophaga Rugosa. Collected in Thailand during the monsoon season, they were cooked and dried there – this process allows for a better conservation of their nutritional values. Actually, beetles are a great source of proteins and they are low in fat, making them especially suitable for diets or people wanting to loose some weight.

Since they are seasoned with a mix of Thai herbs (lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal and garlic), salt and soy sauce, our beetles have a slightly spicy flavor.

Origin of our beetles

Beetles belong to the Coleoptera family. There are about 3000 species in the whole world, with wide variations regarding to size, shape and color. Each one of them are able to adapt themselves to their new environment by diversifying their life styles and their food sources. Some species consume fruits or eat roots, wood and even dead organic materials.

For instance, the Phyllophaga Rugosa speciment is omnivorous and detrivorous. They eat organic materials as well as decaying plant, seedlings and mushrooms.

Phyllophaga beetles appear frequently in our northern hemisphere during the warm spring evenings. They feature a red-brown color that can turn black and can measure up to 1,2 - 2,5 cm long. Their wings tend to be brilliant.

Like all beetles, Phyllophaga beetles start their lifecycle as a larvaes before transforming into a more recognizable shape. The larva, which lives in the ground, can cause damage to crops by devouring their roots.

In Asia, they are often used as bait for fishing.

Edible beetles: a perfect snack

Are you looking for a healthy snack instead of all the sweets or caked full of sugar you usually eat? Beetles are a great snack for both children and grown-ups due to their high value in proteins. Its unusual but crunchy taste will make the snacks much more funnier too!

The beetles: following the recommendations of the FAO

The FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) is trying to promote entomophagy (consumption of insects as food) all over the world to fight malnutrition. Actually, adopting entomophagy even presents many other advantages, both from a nutritious and an ecological point of view.

Indeed, edible insects are particularly healthy for our body and their production and farming is much less aggressive for the environment!

These being said, bon appetite!