South African chemical engineer turns insects into junk food

For many people, the idea of ​​eating insects can still scare them. However, a South African entrepreneur recently demonstrated that insects can be a valuable source of nutrition and that raising insects for food is completely harmless to the environment.

According to a reporter in South Africa, with the desire to change the way of thinking about eating the "mopane caterpillar" insect that is very common in southern Africa, South African chemical engineer Wendy Vesela has found a way to process it. These thorny green and black caterpillars, which are rich in protein and iron, are made into a powder that can be used to make cookies, sweetened chocolate instant nutrition bars, cereals or smoothies.

South African chemical engineer Wendy Vesela has found a way to turn insects into snack food.

Sliced ​​'mopane caterpillars' can also be used as toppings on pizza. Engineer Vesela said she has found domestic and international customers for her organic products.

In Vesela's home province of Limpopo, where she grew up in a town not far from the world-famous Kruger National Park, 'mopane caterpillars' are a popular food, cooked in a sauce made of onions and tomatoes sour. According to Vesela, this type of caterpillar is "a healthy nutritional choice" and people just need to overcome their fear of eating.

Vesela tried to attract customers who were still hesitant to sample caterpillar cookies and instant nutrition bars at a recent food fair in Johannesburg's Sandton district. One of Vesela's first customers, 38-year-old Gail Odendaal, insists: 'I've never been ingrained. But if you give it to me in the form of a chocolate, it's really delicious."

South African food expert Anna Trapido stressed that "eating insects and edible worms should not be seen as a fashion trend, like a form of adventure tourism". According to this expert, mopane caterpillars "should be treated with respect as they are part of the local cuisine, the spirit, the emotions of the people".

Meanwhile, nutritionist Mpho Tshukudu also asserts that 'mopane caterpillars' are very eco-friendly, requiring no additional water or soil to feed, as they breed and feed on mopane plants that grow in dry areas and the heat of southern Africa.

She also claims this caterpillar is a better source of protein than many other foods on the market. The insect 'contains a lot of protein, essential fats and minerals, especially iron,' says Tshukudu. It has more iron in it than the most expensive steak.

With demand soaring since starting his business seven months ago, entrepreneur Vesela plans to expand his insect food business. She now hires rural women to hunt for mopanes during the breeding season in December and April. The ingredients are processed, dried, and then used whole or ground into powder.