Making bug-eating trendy

Japanese companies that promote sustainability through entomophagy

Climate change is arguably the biggest issue of our time, and the distressing effects can be witnessed every day throughout the globe. Ordinary people are on the lookout for changes they can make, however small they may be, to help lessen our individual environmental impacts.

Worryingly, food accounts for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions (data published in 2018) and ecological activists have the food industry in their ideological crosshairs. Vegetarianism and veganism have gained some traction as possible solutions, but some experts, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), think there is another way to relieve some of the environmental burden. Entomophagy.

Entomophagy is the polite term for bug-eating. Apparently, when it comes to both sustainability and nutritional benefits, farming insects wins out against traditional livestock.

While eating insects is a completely normal practice in many parts of the world, the very idea can elicit exceedingly negative reactions in others . Entomophagy is generally rare in Japan, aside from some regional delicacies, such as hachinoko (bee larvae) and kaiko no sanagi (silkworm pupae), found in Nagano prefecture and other mountainous regions. Among young people, it’s likely to be seen as a novelty, or a relic from the past. But considering sustainability and environmental impact, there’s several companies in Japan pushing to modernise insect-consumption and make entomophagy trendy.

(Source: PR Times, Muji)

Muji is a store known for their minimalist designs and high quality products. The budding entomophagist might not think to make a visit to their premises, but they’ve already taken the leap into providing bug-snacks for the Japanese masses. Hopefully their status as a stylish brand can help normalise and promote insect consumption in the name of sustainability. They launched their ‘cricket senbei’ last year, and based on the product’s innocent appearance, it’s sure to be a great gateway snack to unhindered bug consumption. ‘Senbei’ are traditional Japanese crackers, and these senbei are filled with powdered crickets which, according to Muji, has an aromatic flavour similar to prawns.

This new wave of creepy-crawly cuisine isn’t just limited to snacks. Another company leading the entomophagy zeitgeist in Japan is Antcicada. Their inventive offerings include the world’s first ‘cricket soy sauce’ and even ‘silkworm bubble tea’. However, they are most known for their cricket ramen, and they did not go easy on the crickets when they formulated this tempting dish. Each luxurious bowl contains over one hundred crickets. The broth alone contains two species of crickets, and is flavoured further with a dash of Antcicada’s own cricket soy sauce. Even the noodles have had powdered crickets kneaded into the dough to ensure diners get the full experience. The ramen had been received positively at various events and festivals, which the Coronavirus sadly put a stop to. But that hasn’t dampened Antcicada’s promotion of entomophagy, and their online store now stocks kits containing everything required to enjoy cricket ramen at home.

(Source: PR Times, Antcicada)

Both Muji and Antcicada source their crickets domestically from the University of Tokushima, which according to Antcicada, is at the forefront of cricket farming research. In their product description, Muji goes into the various benefits crickets can offer. Traditional livestock is our current main source of protein, but the land, water, and feed required to farm crickets instead is comparatively minuscule, and each cricket packs a nutritional punch containing protein, calcium, and iron. They can even be fed on food waste, another ecologically beneficial bonus. This leads to very few greenhouse gases being emitted as a consequence of rearing the insects. The process is also incredibly efficient, as crickets mature faster than other bugs, and can be harvested in about 35 days, leading to a steady supply of food.

With these undeniable benefits in mind, wannabe entomophagists in Japan can now even conveniently purchase bug-based snacks from a vending machine which appeared in a Tokyo tourist spot last year. The machine, which has been installed in Ueno’s famous Ameyoko area, contains crickets, giant water bugs, diving beetles, and even tarantulas. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of insect and arachnid snacks. Some of these bugs have been processed into more palatable items like protein bars, while adventurous foodies can go for the ones served up just as nature intended.

(Source: PR Times, Bugs Farm)

Edible bugs may seem like a marketing gimmick played for shock value at times, but the research on sustainability backs up the claims of entomophagy advocates, in Japan and beyond. Even if the very thought still sends shivers down your spine, with appetising morsels like the Muji cricket senbei, and carefully concocted recipes like Antcicada’s cricket ramen, there’s no better time to try it out. Before you know it, you’ll be casually purchasing tarantulas at Ueno’s bug vending machine!