Edible mealworms
Deliciously crunchy edible mealworms are bursting with protein, packing a mighty nutritional punch while remaining delightfully airy. This is the ultimate guilt-free and flavour-packed food, to be used as a snack or as a cooking ingredient.
Mealworms for humans
Mealworms for humans might sound a bit whacky right ? However these crunchy little critters are quite tasty. Try some and see for yourself ! Not only they have a mild taste which some people define as "nutty" or "like seeds", they are also full of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. In other words they are a super food of sort. Another plus is that they are also extremely eco-friendly since they require less water and land than traditional livestock.
Edible Mealworms - Insects as food
The dried yellow mealworm larvae were the first insects authorised as edible insects for human consumption in 2018, following scientific evaluation by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Since then, the commercialisation of more insect species has also been authorised. Nevertheless, edible mealworms remain the starter edible bug of choice for many. This is primarily thanks to their mild taste, nutritional value, and affordability. In addition, popular in sustainable living and alternative protein diets, edible mealworms are the ideal choice for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint while boosting their daily nutrition.
How to cook edible insects
Besides being versatile and easy to use, dried edible insects can be enjoyed as a protein-packed snack, added to salads, mixed into trail blends, or even baked into energy bars or other recipes. In the UK, the edible insects are only available for sale as dried, hence in order to incorporate them in your cooking, you will need to use them as you would use most dried food in your cupboard.
The difference between grub for food and bugs for food
A grub is the larval stage of an insect, while a bug is an adult insect. In everyday language, it often happens that the term "worms" is used instead of "larvae." Since a grub is nothing but the larval stage of some insects, particularly beetles, mealworms are not worms but larvae.
Edible mealworms nutritional content
Dried edible mealworms are a high-protein, sustainable superfood made from the dehydrated larvae of the Tenebrio Molitor beetle. Consequently, these crunchy, golden mealworms are packed with essential nutrients, including amino acids, vitamin B12, healthy fats, and minerals like iron and zinc, making them a powerhouse of nutrition. Furthermore, with their mild, nutty flavour and light, crispy texture, they are perfect for adventurous eaters, health-conscious individuals, or those embracing eco-friendly, sustainable food options.
| Category | Nutrient/Parameter | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates & Energy | Energy value (kcal) | 503 kcal/100 g |
| Energy value (kJ) | 2106 kJ/100 g | |
| Total carbohydrates | 6.7 g/100 g | |
| Carbohydrates (available) | 6.7 g/100 g | |
| Fat (Acid Hydrolysis) | Fat (after acid hydrolysis) | 27.0 (± 1.0) g/100 g |
| Sugar Profile | Glucose | < 0.2 g/100 g |
| Fructose | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Sucrose | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Lactose | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Maltose | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Sum of reducing sugars | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Sum of sugars (mono and disaccharides) | < 0.2 g/100 g | |
| Minerals - Oligoelements | Phosphorus | 3200 (± 469) mg/kg |
| Calcium (Ca) | 210 (± 36) mg/kg | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 1200 (± 184) mg/kg | |
| Copper (Cu) | 9.0 (± 2.5) mg/kg | |
| Selenium (Se) | 0.24 (± 0.08) mg/kg | |
| Potassium (K) | 3300 (± 563) mg/kg | |
| Zinc (Zn) | 47 (± 24) mg/kg | |
| Iron (Fe) | 19 (± 7) mg/kg | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 4.1 (± 1.0) mg/kg | |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.38 (± 0.11) mg/kg | |
| Boron (B) | 1.3 (± 0.4) mg/kg | |
| Total Dietary Fiber | Fiber content | 4.9 (± 1.5) g/100 g |
| Proteins | Total Nitrogen | 9.35 (± 0.24) g/100 g |
| Proteins (Nx6.25) (Kjeldahl) | 58.4 (± 1.5) g/100 g | |
| Moisture | Moisture (at 102-103°C) | 3.2 (± 0.5) g/100 g |
| Amino Acids | Hydroxyproline | < 0.2 (LOQ) g/100 g |
| Ornithine | 0.122 (± 0.024) g/100 g | |
| Threonine | 1.97 (± 0.28) g/100 g | |
| Aspartic acid | 4.15 (± 0.58) g/100 g | |
| Serine | 2.27 (± 0.32) g/100 g | |
| Lysine | 2.88 (± 0.40) g/100 g | |
| Valine | 3.12 (± 0.44) g/100 g | |
| Proline | 3.11 (± 0.44) g/100 g | |
| Alanine | 3.60 (± 0.50) g/100 g | |
| Phenylalanine | 1.82 (± 0.25) g/100 g | |
| Isoleucine | 2.14 (± 0.30) g/100 g | |
| Glycine | 2.60 (± 0.36) g/100 g | |
| Tyrosine | 3.32 (± 0.46) g/100 g | |
| Arginine | 2.64 (± 0.37) g/100 g | |
| Leucine | 3.70 (± 0.52) g/100 g | |
| Histidine | 1.53 (± 0.21) g/100 g | |
| Glutamic acid | 5.41 (± 0.76) g/100 g |