Can cricket flour really replace cereal flour? We will try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of this flour in the following text.
“I once tried eating noodles made from cricket flour and they were not noticeably different from regular noodles. The texture was a little coarser, but not too dissimilar to wholemeal pasta.” – Said one of the consumers of cricket flour.
What is the nutritional value of this flour?
- High percentage of protein
The biggest advantage of this flour is its high protein content. Crickets contain 58-65% protein per insect. Their protein content is comparable to that of chicken breast without skin. Because of these properties, nutritionists prefer cricket flour to wholemeal flour.
Professional fitness enthusiasts have already incorporated this flour to a large extent in their daily meals. They say it can also be used to prepare various delicacies. - Content of vitamins and minerals
This flour is very rich in vitamin B-12, even 10 times more than salmon for example! Contains the important mineral iron (6-11 milligrams per 100 grams). This amount of essential mineral iron is twice the amount found in spinach.
The specific benefits of cricket flour include:
- complete protein
- good for the planet
- rich in minerals
- good source of fatty acids
- high in B vitamins
- supports gut health
- Slightly nutty taste
Even though the idea of eating crickets is very unpleasant, people who have tried them have arguments to dissuade us and make us give this cricket flour a chance.
People describe the flavour profile of cricket flour as slightly nutty and surprisingly pleasant. This flour has an earthy flavour that is easily masked by other ingredients and flavours when processed. The pasta dish I ate didn’t taste noticeably different, especially after it was mixed with the sauce.
Why should we consider this type of diet?
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) points to the “enormous potential” that insects have to positively impact food security. Insects process all the food they eat very quickly and more efficiently, while cows and other animals, for example, have a much lower turnover rate.
Many insects produce fewer greenhouse gases and require significantly less land and water than livestock.
Insects naturally inhabit a variety of habitats around the world, unlike many livestock species that have specific geographic requirements.
Insects as food can
- mitigate rising animal protein prices
- reduce food insecurity
- benefits the environment
- help in population growth
What can you do with cricket flour?
If you are interested in this flour, there are many recipes you can try. But remember: cricket flour is not always a direct substitute for all-purpose flour. It doesn’t contain gluten, which can lead to thick, crumbly treats. The outcome of your treats will depend on the brand and how much this flour and other ingredients are actually included.
You can order cricket flour here
Source: animalsawwe