Crickets are on the menu at this Italian farm that looks at the future.
The Italian Cricket Farm of Scaleghe, in the region of Piedmont, raises crickets as pet food. But the goal is to put on people鈥檚 tables. Indeed, it鈥檚 the insects on the menu idea.
Inside the Italian Cricket Farm
The specific breed is the Acheta domesticus cricket. This species is a protein food source, an example of insects on the menu. Also, the farm sells flour moths, kaimani, locusts, and honey worms. Each and every insect eats only organic food, approved and selected with care by professionals. Plus, there are no viruses nor bacteria.
Nutritional and organic
Some of the products of the farm are the foods for pets. In fact, they are hypoallergenic, hence ideal for dogs and cats. Also, insects on the menu for animals are ideal for fish, especially the flour. And reptiles and amphibians also benefit from this diet. Since they are delicate animals that need organic and virus-free food, insects are ideal.
Crickets have 69% of protein value. They are also rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin B12. Thanks to these values, the Cricket Farms recommends using the 10% of cricket flour. It鈥檚 great for both baking and nutritional shakes. Indeed, a true miracle of food.
Ivan Albano is the CEO of the Cricket Farm, 鈥渨e don鈥檛 want to substitute meat with insects. But we want a sustainable future with proteins that can come from insects. Simply, because otherwise there won鈥檛 be enough protein foods to feed everyone,鈥� Albano said.
Do they taste good? You only have to try to find out. Perhaps the crickets will pair well with the Italian Craft Cocktail.
Insects on the menu, the situation in Italy
Also called 鈥淣ovel food,鈥� insects have made a step forward to be on the menu. In fact, the European Food Authority has recently the use of insects for nutrition. The European organization deemed these sources as 鈥渟afe鈥� and the next move is up to the Commission, which will leave regulations up to single countries. The specific insect is the mealworm larva, also used to produce flour.
But are Italians ready?
According to the Italian association Coldiretti, they aren鈥檛. In particular, 54% of Italians believe insects are foreign to the country鈥檚 culinary tradition. To convince Italians, there are projects like the .
And the laboratory at the Istituto agrario Cantoni, a school in the province of Verona. Here, professor Claudia Tondolo is teaching innovative techniques to her students, who have grown to love crickets. While the lab鈥檚 research stays in the lab and these insects don鈥檛 go on the menu, the research can be useful to future farms.
鈥漌ith a tiny bit of cricket flour paired with the corn flour,鈥� said Tondolo, 鈥渨e baked a focaccia full of protein. With a bit of oil and salt, it鈥檚 as nutritious as a grilled steak. But the cricket flour is also great for cakes and cookies.鈥� Indeed, nutritional and delicious.
The benefits of having insects on the menu
While Italians might not be ready for insects on the menu, their benefits are indubitable. In fact, insects aren鈥檛 just rich in protein. They are also eco-friendly. Breeding them doesn鈥檛 waste as much water as other animals, like pigs or cows. And they can be the answer to food shortage.
The FAO estimates that by 2050, the global food demand will grow by 70%. So, it is necessary to find a sustainable and nutritious alternative. One that doesn鈥檛 affect the environment and that can actually feed people. Hence, insects on the menu.
And you, are curious or disgusted?
This is disgusting and shameful. All in the name of Climate Change, an issue that no man can stop, we are going to be forced to eat insects while the bureaucrats will continue to eat red meat and fresh vegetables. There is no data to support famine and food shortage. I hope the cricket farmers go bankrupt and the EU falls apart. VERGOGNA!