Are Termites Good to Eat?
WouterMany cultures have used termites as food. For example, in Nigeria, a local delicacy is made from termites. They are eaten raw or cooked. Other cultures use them for medicinal purposes.
Insects are rich in protein. Some species contain a higher percentage of protein than meat. Moreover, most termites contain essential fatty acids. They are also rich in calcium and iron.
In some cultures, termites are cooked and fried. Others grind them into flour. Others prepare them in the form of cakes.
Termites are beneficial in the wild. However, they are dangerous to humans. They can chew through cardboard, plastic, foam, drywall, and even lead. They can also destroy books and dictionary pages.
Fortunately, they are very tasty when cooked. They also taste great if you smoke them or boil them. Some people enjoy them in banana leaves. They can be used as a salad topping. Other people cook them to make a sauce called Ekipooli. Termite oil is also used in cooking.
If you want to get rid of termites, you can make your own homemade anti-termite spray. You can combine watered-down white vinegar or hot chili oil. You can also spray the wings or alates.
If you decide to cook termites, you can prepare the alates with lemon or salty lemon water. The shelf life of cooked termite alates is about 12 months.
Insect-based dishes are common in Asia and Africa. Some countries, like South America, use them as medicines.
