If you are one of these food enthusiasts who will eat nearly anything considered edible, this post is for you.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to eat mealworms? These insects are common, yet many people are so repulsed by the prospect of eating an insect that they are oblivious of the flavor of the mealworm.
After extensive investigation, the European Food Safety Authority has declared that mealworms are safe to consume for humans, declaring the finding a commercial milestone.
Let’s look at the nutritional content of mealworms and how to effectively prepare them for eating.
Contents
What exactly are Mealworms?
Mealworms are not true worms, but rather the larvae of flour beetles.
Tenebrio Molitor is the Latin name for these worms.
Since the mealworm species is noninvasive, it is practically innocuous to people and food.
Mealworms may be found in practically every part of the earth.
Mealworms thrive in densely packed, gloomy environments.
They really flourish in situations with at least 70% humidity and temperatures as high as 29 degrees Celsius.
You may find the sight and smell repulsive when they’re raw and in a huge pile, but after you get beyond that, you’ll be able to eat a fantastic nutritional meal sans the first fragrance.
While mealworms seem to be mushy and soft, they are unexpectedly solid to the touch and smooth.
What Is the Taste of Mealworms?
Mealworms are recognized for their subtle umami flavor, which leaves your taste receptors tingling with a nutty and rich flavor.
As a result, mealworms are renowned to be a fantastic snack when roasted or sautéed to perfection.
Don’t be fooled by the mealworm’s appearance; the flavor is light and delicate, even delightful if you’re ready to ignore the mealworm’s appearance.
Mealworms are an excellent source of protein.
According to certain studies, it has the same amount of protein as beef.
Other nutritional advantages include:
Vitamins of the highest grade.
The amino acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids.
Fibers.
They are particularly adaptable, since they may be roasted or deep-fried and still taste great.
If you deep-fry them, you may use the crispy texture to add to a fresh veggie salad.
They match nicely with everything since their mild and delicate flavor does not overshadow any meal.
You may use roasted or deep-fried mealworms for croutons in salads.
You may have even eaten them raw if you were brave enough, as many people do.
Generally, mealworms have a bland flavor, which is why it is best to season fried or roasted mealworms or blend them with other foods that already have a lot of spices.
What Is the Best Way to Eat Mealworms?
The most important precaution to take while cooking with mealworms is to thoroughly wash them.
Since you don’t know where these worms came from, eating them without carefully cleaning them may result in a terrible bacterial illness.
The best method is to rinse them thoroughly with tap water in a colander.
Following that, you may prepare them in any way you want: raw, fried, roasted, or cooked.
Making mealworms into balls is a creative technique to prepare them.
Give it a thorough stir after coarsely slicing the larvae or putting them in the food processor.
Season with anything you desire.
To cover the earthy scent of new mealworms, we suggest garlic and onion.
For more texture and grip, add different meats such as turkey or beef, as well as breadcrumbs.
Deep fried them like any other meatball and then drain any excess oil.
To bring the flavors together, dip it in your favorite sauce.
Since mealworms are nearly tasteless, you’ll get the odd crunch and a faint umami flavor, but it tastes just like any other meatball.
Baking mealworm cookies is another novel mealworm recipe.
Just mix the mealworms into your chocolate chip cookie batter and bake as usual.
The crunchy texture of the sautéed mealworms will definitely have you wanting seconds.
Last Thought
If you’re going on an adventurous eating trip, mealworms are the greatest first step.
When roasted, they nearly taste like nothing, leaving just a mildly nutty flavor and scent.
Because of their mild flavor, you won’t even notice that you’re eating mealworms in salads and trail mixes, but your body will benefit from the nutritious advantages.
