Has anyone eaten insects?

[Harvestman]

Various people on here saying about eating woodlice. I do know that traditionally they are a cure for indigestion, since their bodies are manly made of calcium carbonate, which neutralises the excess stomach acid. It works. Unfortunately you need to eat a good handfull of them, and it works best with live ones as they break down rapidly after death. Live ones produce oils which make them taste bad so it isn't a particularly nice experience.

You might prefer to have indigestion.

Oh yes, and if you believe the wisdom of the ancient greek sages, then swallowing one of those enormous Tegenaria house spiders (live, of course) is a sure-fire cure for all manner of ills, from headaches to general malaise. Can't say I'm convinced. Besides, house spiders taste better if you roast them first.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Harvest man

Various people on here saying about eating woodlice. I do know that traditionally they are a cure for indigestion, since their bodies are manly made of calcium carbonate, which neutralises the excess stomach acid. It works. Unfortunately you need to eat a good handfull of them, and it works best with live ones as they break down rapidly after death.

This doesn't make any sense. Calcium carbonate does not break down after the death of living organisms. On the contrary, it persists almost forever (eventually as chalk and limestone.)

 

[spiritwalker]

i have eaten woodlice, snails, ants, locusts and mealworms the latter 2 where the best tasting ive been meaning to give worms a go too since i read it in lofty's book

 

[Harvestman]

Harvest man



This doesn't make any sense. Calcium carbonate does not break down after the death of living organisms. On the contrary, it persists almost forever (eventually as chalk and limestone.)

Sorry Geoff, I didn't put that very well. I meant more that once the woodlouse is dead, it tends to disintegrate as the soft tissues degrade, so finding enough 'mass' is difficult in order to have an effect. Essentially, it is easier to collect a pile of live ones than to try and collect sufficient dead ones.

(I knew I should have re-written that sentence originally...)

 

[ex-member Raikey]

i did the old Hugh fearnly wittingstall one once with the woodlice,...

i was intrigued as he said they taste like prawns....

they dont,....

he's a goon!

 

[Wallenstein]

Like others I've eaten these chaps:

They serve them grilled by the sides of the roads in Zimbabwe and Malawi, bit like chesnuts in England.

I also had them in a stew which was just nasty - really didn't enjoy them!

 

[Geoff Dann]

Sorry Geoff, I didn't put that very well. I meant more that once the woodlouse is dead, it tends to disintegrate as the soft tissues degrade, so finding enough 'mass' is difficult in order to have an effect. Essentially, it is easier to collect a pile of live ones than to try and collect sufficient dead ones.

(I knew I should have re-written that sentence originally...)

People scavenge for dead woodlice??? Yes, I can imagine that would take a while...

 

[BarryG]

Lobbster, Crab, Welks to name a few.
All from the sea though, but im told i eat about 8 spiders (yeah i know they're not strictly insects but they probally taste the same) a year when im asleep.