ADVERTISEMENT

Government to generate revenue from edible insects

Kim Jong Hee, who has been raising insects since 2000 for animal feed, began farming mealworms and crickets for people in 2013.

 

Bae Su-Hyeon's lunch of sweet potato soup and funghi pasta has bugs in it. They're part of the recipe.

"It didn't feel like eating insects," says Bae, an 18-year-old student having lunch with a friend at Papillon's Kitchen, a Seoul restaurant specialising in insects.

That's because the mealworms in her dishes were hydrolised into powder to make the pasta and soup.

South Korea's insect industry was worth 304 billion won ($278 million) last year, nearly double from 2011, although food for humans accounted for just 6 billion won of that with the rest coming from uses like animal feed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Insect-eating, or entomophagy, has long been common in much of the world, including South Korea, where boiled silky worm pupae, or beondegi, are a popular snack.

Now, South Korea is looking to expand its insect industry as a source of agricultural income by promoting more consumption, joining a global trend that has seen rising interest in insects as a nutritious and environmentally friendly food.

To do that, the government is trying to make people more comfortable with the idea of eating crickets and mealworms that are ground into powder or hydrolysed to extract oils and protein and turned into food, from ice cream to sausages.

Kim Young Wook, chief executive of the private-sector Korean Edible Insect Laboratory and owner of Papillon's Kitchen, said key to winning over sceptical customers was presentation.

"If people taste foods after having a good first impression, and find they are delicious, that's everything, because taste speaks for itself," he said this week at a tasting event staged by the Agriculture Ministry.

ADVERTISEMENT

The government wants to expand the industry to 530 billion won by 2020, with food making up nearly a fifth.

The number of farms producing insects rose to 724 last year, from 265 in 2011.

Insects can be a rich source of fat, protein, vitamins, fibre and minerals, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The composition of unsaturated omega-3 and six fatty acids in mealworms is comparable to that in fish and higher than in beef and pork, it says.

Globally, at least 2 billion people eat insects and more than 1,900 species have been used for food, according to the FAO, which said entomophagy could play a key role in food security and environmental protection. Insects need less land and water than cattle.

"In the past, people used to shake their heads when they thought of bugs, but now more people believe insects are edible," he said.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Black box of crashed helicopter recovered, search for 3 missing persons continues

Black box of crashed helicopter recovered, search for 3 missing persons continues

Yobe school, closed due to insurgent activities, reopens 12 years later

Yobe school, closed due to insurgent activities, reopens 12 years later

EFCC wants to arrest me next week; I'll use the period for research - Obaseki

EFCC wants to arrest me next week; I'll use the period for research - Obaseki

Panel clears military of secret abortions allegations in North East

Panel clears military of secret abortions allegations in North East

Stop blaming govt, do something to better Nigeria — Ooni of Ife tells Nigerians

Stop blaming govt, do something to better Nigeria — Ooni of Ife tells Nigerians

Onu's death has robbed Nigeria of committed patriot, statesman – Tinubu

Onu's death has robbed Nigeria of committed patriot, statesman – Tinubu

'Wike must go': Protest rocks Abuja over mass demolitions by FCT minister

'Wike must go': Protest rocks Abuja over mass demolitions by FCT minister

Widow cries out, alleges frustration from her late husband’s kinsmen

Widow cries out, alleges frustration from her late husband’s kinsmen

Gunmen in military camouflage kill Police inspector, kidnap 2 Chinese nationals

Gunmen in military camouflage kill Police inspector, kidnap 2 Chinese nationals

Pulse Sports

'I will pick him everyday' - Paul Pogba settles Ronaldo vs Messi debate

'I will pick him everyday' - Paul Pogba settles Ronaldo vs Messi debate

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses the world’s richest female musician on YouTube who is 2 times richer than him

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses the world’s richest female musician on YouTube who is 2 times richer than him

Most Beautiful: Sha'Carri Richardson turns up with 'boyfriend' Christian Coleman for Cowboys-Falcons game receiving loud ovation

Most Beautiful: Sha'Carri Richardson turns up with 'boyfriend' Christian Coleman for Cowboys-Falcons game receiving loud ovation

'Thank you Lookman' - Nigerians appreciate CAF POTY nominee for helping Osimhen get 'revenge' against Napoli

'Thank you Lookman' - Nigerians appreciate CAF POTY nominee for helping Osimhen get 'revenge' against Napoli

Victor Osimhen reaches out to ex-Super Eagles striker Ighalo after heartbreaking loss

Victor Osimhen reaches out to ex-Super Eagles striker Ighalo after heartbreaking loss

Our Happy Place: Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield become home owners

Our Happy Place: Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield become home owners

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT