Can Eating Bugs in Rice Be Safe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ouabache
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Finding bugs in rice, such as weevils, raises questions about food safety and cultural attitudes towards consuming insects. While many in Western cultures have an aversion to eating insects, they are a common protein source in various parts of the world. The FDA allows certain limits of insect parts in food products, acknowledging that complete removal of all bugs is impractical. Some participants suggest that cooking infested grains can be safe, as the bugs are unlikely to harm health, while others express discomfort with the idea. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the intersection of food safety regulations, cultural perceptions, and personal preferences regarding insects in food.
  • #31
Ouabache said:
Finally got a chance to view this.. Mmmm boy, "hot and crispy" :biggrin: so they've been eating them like that for hundreds of years in Cambodia.

Although, I must admit I'd be at least a bit tempted to try one of these, since I'm afraid of spiders, and I guess eating one of them could somehow heal my phobia. :biggrin:

I've also heard they make some kind of spider liquor which truckers usually drink to keep them awake. Maybe we should substitute caffeine with tarantulas? :-p
 
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  • #32
I once found a whole head of a grasshopper in my lentils :biggrin: yumm
 
  • #33
Monique said:
I once found a whole head of a grasshopper in my lentils :biggrin: yumm

Yeah, and I bet the head had great existential thoughts at that time. :-p
 
  • #34
But what about a taste difference if you were frying the bug-infested rice or steaming it, or something? Would it be noticeable?
 
  • #35
A list of edible bugs with some recipes.

http://www.weird-food.com/weird-food-bugs.html
 
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  • #36
Mk said:
But what about a taste difference if you were frying the bug-infested rice or steaming it, or something? Would it be noticeable?
Hmmmm, maybe try both methods and see if you notice a difference. :smile:

Actually, I have had a similar experience with tiny beetles in my flour.. I froze the flour for several days, which killed the emerged larvae and adults. The eggs might have some overwintering protection, not sure.. Anyhow, I sifted out the bugs through a fine mesh screen and used the sifted flour in my banana bread. Bread tasted good,:-p I didn't notice any off flavors.

Evo that's a neat post of recipes!
 
  • #37
I'm interested in locusts.Heard that they are really good if prepeared properly.Anybody here tasted them?
 
  • #38
Not to gross anyone out, but if you eat fruit regularly, including fresh tomatoes, you are also eating fruit fly larvae and eggs. It's just the way things work. If you have a bowl of fruit on the counter and you notice a few fruit flies in your house, don't assume that mature fruit flies came in from outside because they heard you had some fruit hanging around. They came in with the fruit - they just weren't flies yet.:devil: :biggrin:
 
  • #39
Figs are laden with wasp larvae, some of which don't escape. There are ascarid worms that are fig wasp parasites, and they also stay behind in large numbers. When humans eat the fig, these leftovers are long dead.