Nutritionists and scientists are constantly thinking about the future of our plates and what we will be eating. There is a growing concern about the impact of meat consumption on the environment and human health. One of the key questions is how to provide sufficient protein without harming animals.

Edible insects have been a topic of discussion for a while now. Recently, one of our colleagues decided to test some of the insects available in the market. The result of her tests was positive - the insects were available in the form of protein bars that tasted like classic bars. Additionally, dried crickets have no distinct flavour, which makes it easy to add flavour according to personal taste.

The topic of consuming edible insects in Poland remains a subject of controversy. Those who prefer conventional protein sources argue that eating bugs is an invention of the European Union. However, the truth is that the idea of consuming insects is not recent - crickets and larvae have been a part of the traditional diet in Mexico and other regions for many years.

Marius and Donatas Glušauskas are brothers who have established a cricket farm near Kaunas. They produce food products whose primary ingredient is edible insects. The brothers came up with the idea of starting this new business over five years ago. This is interesting because Lithuania is known for its scepticism regarding food products.

The Glušauskas brothers' company is called Acheta. "The production of cricket snacks involves multiple stages, beginning with the rearing of crickets on the farm. After that, the crickets undergo various processes like freezing, blanching, air drying, sieving, grinding into flour, roasting, and finally, packaging. It is essential to monitor temperature, moisture levels, and other factors during the production process to ensure the quality of the final product," the brothers told Delfi.

Acheta offers a variety of cricket snacks: chocolates, crackers, dried crickets in chip form or even dry smoked pork sausages with additional crickets.

According to the Glušauskas brothers, domestic crickets are the food of the future. "People will simply have a choice, just as they currently choose meat, fish or other products. That is why our focus is on snack production. We do not offer alternatives to meat or fish, which are commonly eaten at lunch or dinner. We want to provide healthy snack options that can be a beneficial addition to any diet. We believe that our snacks can help people avoid empty calories and unhealthy snacking habits," say the siblings.

Freeze-dried food is also considered a potential food source of the future. This method, mainly used in producing food for astronauts (or cosmonauts, as they are called in Russia), involves cold freezing. Freeze-dried food's nutritional and taste properties remain intact while becoming lighter and more delicate.

Bulgaria has been producing space food since 1979, sent into space during flights from the USSR. The Bulgarian space menu includes 50 items of soups, main courses, desserts, and fruits, all of which are high in energy to supplement the cosmonauts' calorie intake during their intensive work.

Bulgaria is one of the world's leading producers of space food. Freeze-drying methods are becoming increasingly popular, and various cold-frozen foods are now available in Poland. Freeze-dried sweets, which undergo a complete change in shape and texture, are gaining enormous popularity.

Source: Vbox7.com, delfi.lt