Cricket flour (or cricket powder) is a protein-rich powder made from crickets, using various processes.
Nutritional information
Cricket flour contains nutrients such as the nine essential amino acids, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin B
12,
Riboflavin, and
.
Food safety and processing
When cultivated for human consumption in Western nations, insects are held to the same safety requirements as any other food.
Depending on the popularity in a given location, processing might be done commercially or locally. The procedure begins with the removal of the insect's insides, albeit this step is optional. They are then dispatched to be preserved or freeze-dried, which is accomplished using hessian or
polypropylene. They are transported for storage once they have been entirely preserved/dried. Insects can be frozen or ground into powders.
Cricket flour is produced from freeze-dried crickets. The crickets are then cooked to facilitate processing. They are pulverised into extremely fine bits after being cooked. The freezing, baking, and drying results in a powdered dark brown flour.
Cost
Prices can vary depending on location, but the average cost of cricket flour is around (4,200 to 4,800 crickets).
This price is inflated due to limited commercialization and few processors.
Food products with cricket flour
Pulverized freeze-dried crickets are used in processed food products, such as:
-
pasta
-
bread
-
cookies
-
snacks (chips, nachos)
-
smoothies
Cricket flour can be utilized as a complete replacement for flour. The taste is described as very nutty, and foods normally prepared with wheat flour may cook differently.
See also
Insects as food
-
Entomophagy
-
Insects as food
-
Insect-based pet food
-
List of edible insects by country
Plant-sourced protein
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