Bug Brownies
Author and Photographer: Blair Penn
Did you know that entomophagy, the practice of eating bugs, is common in 80% of the world's nations? In Japan, for example, bee and wasp larvae are considered a delicacy, and in Thailand it is common to find heaped trays of crisp, deep fried grasshoppers at markets. Us Westerners have missed out on this culinary avenue because we squirm at the idea of eating insects, yet we are so quick to wolf down slimy oysters and indulge in processed American cheese.
It is a shame we are so against eating bugs because they are a much more sustainable protein source than meat with many nutritional benefits. For example, the production of 1kilogram of insects only requires 2kilograms of food compared to the 8 kilograms of food required for only 1 kilogram of meat. Insects have 45-75 grams of protein per 100g and some species can contain healthy fats like omega 4s. And insects, unlike meat, also have a small number of carbohydrates. Insects don’t even taste as bad as people think, because they possess a great quality to absorb the flavor of whatever they are paired with. Due to their neutral taste when processed, insect protein powders or flours are able to take on any flavor and combine well with other ingredients.
Crickets are one of the more popular species of insects that people are starting to incorporate into their diets' historical presence in other cultures' cuisines. Mexicans have been eating crickets since prehistoric times and are included in many taco and stew dishes. Crickets were not just a source of protein for pre-Hispanic Mexicans; these crickets' movements and sounds were analyzed and used to predict the weather. Crickets are still popular in Mexico today – especially in Oaxaca, where many locals and tourists enjoy crunchy crickets on pizza. Still, some cultures refuse to eat insects, but even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends insect consumption as a strategy to fight food shortages.
Another reason for crickets’ popularity is their impressive nutritional profile. Crickets are rich in protein, and one 2020 review found that crickets have a higher protein content than other protein sources like chicken or pork, but that humans can digest a slightly lower proportion of the protein from crickets than from eggs or beef. However, the review did show that cricket protein is digested more easily than rice protein. Interestingly, protein content and nutritional value varies greatly by species – some species of crickets are complete protein sources, meaning that they contain all nine amino acids in the right proportions, but other species do not contain all nine in the right ratio.
Crickets are also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Studies have shown crickets can contain 13.4% DV of fiber in a 100 gram serving, while beef, chicken, and pork contain basically zero grams of fiber. Crickets also are high in potassium, zinc, magnesium, copper, folate, and especially iron. One study found that crickets have 180% more iron than beef and that crickets also have more calcium and vitamin B2 than chicken, pork, and beef.
After doing more research, I found mixed answers to how safe eating crickets is. On one hand, research shows that crickets are a food that has been consumed regularly and safely for thousands of years without problems. Also, the limited research done on eating crickets suggests that eating them in powders is safe for healthy individuals. Most of the articles I read criticized Westerners for being so skittish when it comes to eating crickets. However there are legitimate safety concerns and after looking at more sources, we have some reason to be skittish! First and foremost there is a lack of research on eating crickets, so it makes complete sense that people don't want to try something so new that hasn't been studied extensively. Studies also suggest that individuals allergic to shellfish or dust mites could have allergic reactions when eating insects, so that would definitely wean that group of people away from trying crickets. Other researchers found that crickets may carry pathogens that can potentially infect humans and animals. In a 2019 study, researchers analyzed insect samples from over 300 household insect farms, pet stores, and cricket farms in Central Europe and found parasites in over 81% of these farms. In 30% of those cases, the parasites found were ones that could potentially cause disease in humans. This study does not mean that we should avoid crickets entirely, but it does point out that just like eating livestock, there are risks to eating crickets as well, and that insect farms should implement strict safety procedures to make eating insects safer.
Even though Westerners are not jumping at the opportunity to insects, it hasn't stopped daring entrepreneurs from trying to make them a part of our diet. One notable company, Eat Chirps, was founded by three women from Harvard, and makes cricket chips, protein powder, and cookie mixes. The company has even been on Shark tank and boasts an Instagram account with 20K followers. I was dying to get my hands on their cookie mix or protein powder for the past month and a half, since I really wanted to try their cricket cookies. As I refreshed the website daily for half of winter quarter, all of their powders and baking mixes were completely sold out! I didn't stop my mission to make and review cricket brownies, however, and eventually settled on using a mix from a company called “Cricket Flours.” Cricket Flours was started by Chris B. Wilson, who turned to experimenting with cricket flour due to family dietary allergies around wheat and dairy.
Unlike Eat Chirps, the Cricket Flours brownie mix I used can be found on amazon and promptly arrived in Chicago in three days. I am not going to lie, the bag looked slightly sketchy. The font with instructions on it were blurry, the bag was packed so tight that I was worried it would spill when I opened it, and not to mention the awkward image of what appeared to be two humans in cricket suits waving at me placed towards to bottom of the sticker slapped on the white bag. I told my suitemates, “If my last meal happens to be cricket brownies… well that would be quite an unfortunate way to go.”
Making the cricket brownies was as effortless as making normal box brownies. The only ingredients I needed besides the mix were water, eggs, and vegetable oil. While making the brownies, I inspected the nutrition facts label on the back – a cricket brownie is a little less than half the calories of a regular brownie of equal size, and also has a decent amount of vitamin B. I was surprised there are only 2 grams of protein per brownie, and expected there to be more. Interestingly there are only 16 grams of sugar per cricket brownie, and 0 grams of added sugar, compared to regular brownies which have around 24 grams of sugar.
I didn't dare try the batter, after seeing the words “DO NOT EAT RAW BATTER” on the bag, I decided it was best not to risk it.
As the cricket brownies were nearing the end of their stint in the oven, their scent wafted around the apartment. They smelled just like normal brownies – maybe slightly richer and more of a darker chocolate than your typical brownie but otherwise the same. The baking time of the cricket brownies was also the same as normal brownies and they looked just like regular brownies when I took them out of the oven.
I then proceeded to devour about 5 brownies. In my opinion, they were SO good. Extremely chocolatey, not too sweet, and fudgy. I then went to inspect the brownie packaging again and saw the small print that said “150+ crickets in each bag!” I couldn't help but think for a second, “damn, I have probably consumed around 50 crickets.” Then I got over it because the brownies were so good.
I wasn’t the only one who thought they were good, I had multiple friends try them and all of them had positive things to say. My girlfriend, who refers to herself as a chocolate hater, said the brownies were, “quite delicious and very moist.”
Overall, I would recommend others to try cricket protein powders and baking mixes, if you are not at risk for an adverse reaction. I love trying new foods and it was definitely a fun experience, plus who knows, crickets very well may be the food of the future.