'We Try It' is a regular series where we try the latest off-beat food and beverage offerings.
The latest trend in sustainable snacks is bug food. That is, food literally made out of insects.
While we’ve previously heard of cricket farming and cricket protein bars, we only recently stumbled across a creepy-crawly product that was entirely new to us: silkworm wheat chips. Made by Shanghai-based company Bugsolutely, the Bella Pupa Silkworm Snack is allegedly the world’s first-ever silkworm-powder snack. It’s also the world’s first edible bug product to be made in the Middle Kingdom.
Ever curious, we snagged a couple of bags to try and – as always – report back to you, our dear, food-curious readers.
The design of the packaging is enticingly similar to that of a yellow bag of Lay’s Original Chips. The info on the bag informs us that the chips are made with 20 percent silkworm powder and that there are 12 grams of protein for every 100 grams.
Image by Matt Bossons/That’s
Upon opening the bag, we discover that – in true potato chip fashion – the bag is only 25 percent full of very thin crisps. The rest? Air. Disappointing, but unsurprising.
Popping some of the insect chips in our mouths, the initial flavor leaves us wondering ‘what is that?’ as our brows collectively wrinkle in that classic can’t-quite-remember-face. The taste is salty and savory, yet rather earthy or musky, like the way socks might smell after a long run...
The mouthfeel, though, is where things get really weird, with an unmistakable slimy feeling. Worse yet, knowing the chips are made with worms makes the perceived sliminess a tad uncomfortable.
While we wouldn’t recommend this bug-based chip, if you’re looking for a high-protein snack it might be worth a try!
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[Cover image via Pixabay, Matthew Bossons/That’s]
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