10 Delicious Creepy Crawly Snacks Around The World (Slideshow)
Insect Candy, California (USA)
California confectioner Hotlix Insect Candy takes eating insects to a completely new level with its range of chocolate-covered and candy-dipped insects and (ahem) scorpions. It's candy with a cringe-factor.
Crispy Fried Locusts, Thailand
Many tourists who try fried locusts in Thailand insist they taste a little like fried chicken, but locals (who regularly eat the tasty little treats) enjoy it more for the slightly nutty taste. Locusts are not only a popular snack but are also a good source of protein and nutrients. Silkworms and insect larvae are also widely available in Thai markets.
Chilled Ant Salad, Denmark
Copenhagen-based eatery Noma regularly serves up a luxury chilled ant salad to its discerning and hungry clientele: the ants are chilled so they move slower and are served up on a bed of lettuce with a dollop of crème fraîche and are a crunchy, gluten-free alternative to croutons. They apparently taste like ginger, cilantro and lemongrass and patrons are willing to fork over around $300 for them.
Crunchy Bee Crème Brulee, London (England)
Everyone loves a decadent creamy brûlèe, though London eatery Archipelago has gone one step further by serving up a crunchy bee brûlèe, which is rich crème brûlèe served with a white chocolate honeycomb with a bee on top.
Crunchy Bee Crème Brulee, London (England)
Everyone loves a decadent creamy brûlèe, though London eatery Archipelago has gone one step further by serving up a crunchy bee brûlèe, which is rich crème brûlèe served with a white chocolate honeycomb with a bee on top.
Gold-Dusted Cricket chocolates, France
French chocolatier Sylvain Musquar enjoys creating sensational food — but his buggy confectionary really takes the, ahem, cake. Musquar often decorates the top of his chocolate bonbons and cakes with crickets and mealworms that are "dressed up" a little with edible gold dust to make them appear more enticing. The treats are incredibly popular with patrons.
Insect Sushi, Japan
The Japanese have long known about the incredible health benefits of eating delicious insects. Rumor has it that Japanese emperor Hirohito in the 1900s favored a meal of cooked rice and canned wasps with soy sauce and sugar. Insects are currently eaten in many dishes, though the latest craze is insect sushi with all manner of tasty creepy crawlies served on top.
Flying Termites, Uganda
Also known as white ants, or easels, these termites are a great source of protein and fat. In fact, they may even be a higher source of protein than their weight in beef steak. Termites are usually collected from their mounds or as they swarm before a big rain.
Grilled Mopani Worms, South Africa
The mopani worm is really not a worm at all — it's a caterpillar, and it's considered both a staple protein source for people living in rural areas in southern Africa, and a delicacy for those living in urban areas. These critters are often grilled on an open-air barbeque with spices, and usually eaten by pinching the little black head between your thumb and forefinger while squeezing the rest of the creamy white body into your mouth.
Dried Grasshopper Tacos, New York (USA)
Mexican restaurant Toloache, in midtown Manhattan, offers a range of crunchy bug dishes including chapulines tacos (two tacos stuffed with Oaxacan-style dried grasshoppers).
Weaver-Ant Pupae, Laos and Thailand
Weaver ants and their eggs are consumed as a delicacy in Thailand and Laos and are sold in markets all over the region. They're also really nutritious and are eaten solo or with sticky rice, shallots, chilies, lime, lettuce, and spices.
Weaver-Ant Pupae, Laos and Thailand
Weaver ants and their eggs are consumed as a delicacy in Thailand and Laos and are sold in markets all over the region. They're also really nutritious and are eaten solo or with sticky rice, shallots, chilies, lime, lettuce, and spices.