How Does Cockroach Taste?

If you’ve ever wondered how a cockroach tastes, you’re not alone. Thousands of different species of cockroach exist, and some taste like almonds, while others are bitter. The taste of a cockroach depends on many factors, including the cockroach’s diet, environment, and gender. However, some people have discovered that cockroaches can be made to taste good with proper cooking techniques.

Cockroaches have two types of taste receptors: one that responds to sweet substances and one that responds to bitter substances. The brain senses sweetness or bitterness when a molecule binds to either of the taste receptors. Consequently, they have evolved a method to avoid sweet poisons.

Cockroaches can hold their breath in water for over 40 minutes, but they can also salivate on demand. It is possible to train them to perform a specific task, such as sucking on a piece of paper. Scientists have previously used this method with dogs and cats, and it is believed that cockroaches can learn the same task.

While cockroaches are not commonly eaten in the Western world, they are enjoyed in many cultures around the world. In Thailand and Cambodia, roaches are often eaten as a crunchy snack. Their taste has been compared to fried shrimp, blue cheese, and chicken. However, some people claim that it tastes more like crab or tuna fish.