Why did I read this? Not because I am interested in eating bugs or insects - but because this topic came up during our groug read of Half of a Yellow Sun and this made me curious. I knew already about the fact that bugs are a very good protein source and I have heard about roasted grasshoppers and have seen scorpions in a candy (Aargh, my son ate that). I love food and although I can be quite picky, in general I am quite open in trying different foods, but where something slimy or hairy is involved my openess stops.
In this book Peter Menzel and his wife Faith introduce us to the different cultures in the world where eating bugs and insects are part of their life style. In the way of journal entries alternating between him and his wife, they show us through their eyes and lots of stunning photos, the diversity of people's lives and their cultures. They also highlight that largely due to the western influence and the availabillity of ready meals the traditional diets are more and more abandoned, and because it can be very difficult and time consuming to hunt for some of the "delicacies".
I thought it was very entertaining and laced with lots of humor, especially that "Peter" was always very enthusiastic about each new bug meal and very detailed in his descriptions - even giving us some receipes from time to time. And his wife "Faith" more apprehensive, more aware about her western upbringing and more hesitant to try these meals. All in all a brilliant read, which I can recommend to anyone in wanting to find out a little bit more about entomophagy around the world.
At the end of the day it is not that much of a step from eating snails, shrimps and oysters to eating grasshoppers. ( )