Sometimes food collected by humans can be found in caves, as when fragments of grasshopper bodies were found in Mantles Cave, Colorado, USA
In the prehistoric period, documents began to leave behind evidence of Entomophagy.
antiquity
Greece
In the 4th century B.C. Athens, it is written that grasshoppers were sold in poultry shops as a bird with four wings. Since they were quite inexpensive, they were eaten by the poor.
The philosopher Aristotle caught and ate the last instar larvae of cicadas as they emerged from the soil.
Rome
The Parthians of ancient West Asia and other peoples of the East were fond of eating cicadas. ( Pliny the Elder: 1st century, from his book "Natural History").
Also, the Parthians ate locusts (relatively large grasshoppers that swarm and travel long distances, devouring edible food in their path), which were abundant at that time.
Furthermore, Roman gourmets are said to have eaten larvae called kosus. However, the specifics of kosus have yet to be identified.
Ancient Libyan nomads' characteristic way of eating insects
They dried grasshoppers in the sun, powdered them, and mixed them with milk.
People have been familiar with you all over the world for a long time! How about until recently?
Early Modern & Modern
In the Middle Ages, there was not much literature on insect eating.
The French naturalist Léaumur's book "Notes pour entomologize" describes the edible nature of insects, specifically noting whether they were edible or not.
From there, traces of Entomophagy were left behind in various forms. The German-born female printmaker Mehrien left many insect prints.
In 1822, the chapter "The Profit Brought by Insects" in the "Introduction to Entomology" discusses insect eating. It states that insects should be eaten because they are nutritious and not a few of them are clean.
In the late 19th century, the Englishman Holt published a book entitled "Why Not Eat Insects?"
The book specifically discusses edible insects that only eat green leaves, which is quite hygienic compared to shrimp and crabs, which eat carrion and other foodstuffs.
It states that if only prejudice against insects could be overcome, insects would be a useful foodstuff, so why don't people want to eat them?
The book is also said to be the origin of the promotion of Entomophagy.
←Holt (English), author of "Why Not Eat Insects?"
We know these things...
It is said that roasted or baked grasshoppers were sold in 18th-century African and Arab markets. Adding salt to the food was said to preserve it for a long time and give it a shrimp-like taste.
During grasshopper outbreaks in various African countries, the inhabitants were said to have used the grasshoppers as their food or sold them to markets as a commodity.
↑Image of an African market. Many insects are also lined up. Crickets, termites, and grasshoppers are sold for food.
BackNext
Home ＞
History of Entomophagy ＞
Insects are more accessible in the world!
←Holt (English), author of "Why Not Eat Insects?"
