Bamboo worms are regarded as a food classic in Asia, and they’re safe for humans to eat. These worms have high protein and fat content. 26% of their body weight is from protein, while 51% of their body weight is from natural fat.
One of the tastiest critters you can eat, the bamboo worm is high in protein and fibre and low in fat. Bamboo worms are the larvae of moths that feed on flowering bamboo trees. They help to keep the population of animals in check and ensure that the Forest remains a healthy and balanced ecosystem. However, the bamboo worm’s activity may cause irregular growth patterns in the bamboo shoots which they occupy. Worms are part of a special group of species that eat dead or decaying organic matter. They are called decomposers. As they grow, bamboo worms can consume up to twice their own weight in bamboo every day.
While eating some bugs can cause some phsycological trauma, bamboo worms on the other hand are much less nerve racking to eat. Some food companies like Dynabait package dehydrated bamboo worms that anglers can easily attach to their fishing hook to lure fish. They use these for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. After a few months in this stage, bamboo worms become beautiful butterflies with orange-brown wings and black stripes. Their life expectancy is quite short and they live only up to two months, enough time to grow, mate and die. The larvae hatch after 12 days and immediately start digging a small hole inside a bamboo branch in order to feed from the pulp of this plant.
I’ll try anything once … so when it was suggested that I could eat fried bamboo worms …. why not? I’m in Chiang Mai, Thailand – taking a Thai cooking lesson at the Four Seasons. Crunchy, a little greasy on the palate … with a hint of an insect aftertaste. Needs a little salt – and maybe some ketchup! A frosty cold beer would probably help, too! Silk worms have a little more girth compared to bamboo worms. These little guys are the chewiest and almost ‘pop’ in your mouth. Grasshoppers are the crunchiest snack on the bug cart. They can look intimidating and are a little bigger than the worms but they will melt in your mouth. Rip off the legs before eating them and they’re a great source of protein.
Now, would I recommend YOU to try eating insects? Absolutely. Plus, the battle within your wits as you build up the courage to pop one into your mouth can be quite a… refreshing experience. In summary, some of the well-known ones are: Crickets, Bamboo Worms – cheesy after taste, Red Ants – soft and chewy.
What is a bamboo worm?
The Bamboo worms live in bamboo groves. They feast on the bamboo plants’ inner pulp. An interesting fact is that they’re edible and a classic dish in Southeast Asia.
The mature caterpillars are viewed as a delicacy. The larvae are used as food in Asia. This involves carefully piercing through bamboo shoots to collect the larvae.
The conservation status is a concern due to habitat degradation – deforestation, urbanization, agricultural expansion which threaten bamboo forests. In regions where harvested efforts are made to promote sustainable practices.
The bamboo worm is an edible insect harvested from bamboo forests or grown on bamboo farms. It is an essential protein source.
The bamboo worm is a colorful, fast-moving creature native to Southeast Asia. It is food for many animals. When threatened, they quickly change direction and burrow into the ground.
How do you cook bamboo worms?
The bamboo worm’s activity may cause irregular growth patterns in the shoots they occupy. Worms are decomposers. They eat bamboo pulp in a bamboo tube. Bamboo worms can be eaten very simply or cooked with delicious recipes.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add the edible bamboo worms while crushing them gently and stirring them to look mashed. Salt the mixture. If too liquid, continue stirring over low heat. Supreme Recipe of Bamboo Worms.
There are different ways to cook bamboo worms, such as deep fry, steam and braise. The most popular dish for Muong people is bamboo worm stir fry. Heat fat in a wok. Add shallots, worms and stir fry for 3 minutes. When worms become light golden, add finely chopped lime leaves, give a quick stir fry and serve immediately.
The worm is white, 3.5 to 4 centimeters long. It’s succulent and juicy. The sweet scent of bamboo combines with the strong flavor of worm and the light bitter of lime leaves make a unique dish perfect to enjoy in cold and humid days.
A bamboo worm meat contains 30 percent protein (a chicken has only 24 percent). It’s hard to describe the taste but I’d say like a bit crispy grilled cheese. Thailand insect food includes fried crickets, worms, fried scorpion, fried grasshoppers. If you wonder what scorpions taste like, think about crispy french fries. The taste is very similar, however edible scorpion is much healthier.
What is a bamboo caterpillar?
What is it? Omphisa fuscidentalis, the bamboo worm, is a bamboo borer. It is the larvae of the moth. It is used in entomophagy- the human use of insects as food.
Where found? In Northern Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan Province in bamboo groves.
It is viewed as a delicacy in these regions. The wingspan of the male is 4 cm; the female 4.5 cm. The wings are orange-brown with black stripes. The caterpillar is white, 3.5 to 4 cm long.
The moth lives only July and August. The caterpillars eat inside bamboo shoots. Farmers take them out by cutting holes in bamboo internodes where they congregate for 8 months.
Many butterfly caterpillars feed on specific plants. Bamboo is the host plant for this species. Without bamboo it may disappear from a habitat.
The caterpillars are often deep-fried and sold for human consumption. They are a few centimeters long with a nutty flavor.
Their habitat degradation due to deforestation, urbanization and agricultural expansion threatens the bamboo worms by impacting their food source.
In Asia the taste is between corn and cheese with high protein content. They significantly contribute to livelihoods of some populations. The most popular one in Thailand is the bamboo borer.
Bamboo worms: Our Omphisa Fuscidentalis is the caterpillar of a night butterfly. This edible insect lives in bamboo groves in northern Thailand, Laos, Burma and Yunnan. People there view them as a delicacy. They are white and 3.5 to 4 cm long. After months in this stage, they become butterflies with orange-brown wings. They live only up to 2 months – to grow, mate and die.