People eat stink bugs for a variety of reasons. In some cultures, stink bugs are considered a delicacy and eaten as part of traditional cuisines. Others eat stink bugs out of curiosity or for survival purposes. Stink bugs can also be eaten accidentally if they end up in food. While eating stink bugs is not very common, there are some specific reasons why a person may intentionally consume these smelly insects.
Cultural and Traditional Cuisine
In certain areas of the world, stink bugs are part of the traditional diet and considered a local delicacy. For example, stink bugs are eaten in Mexico, Southeast Asia, Africa, and other regions. The stink bug species eaten vary based on location, but some commonly consumed ones include the brown marmorated stink bug, green stink bug, and red-banded stink bug.
In Mexican culture, stink bugs known as ‘jumiles’ are harvested from agave plants and cooked into snacks or incorporated into dishes like omelets. They have a nutty, mushroom-like taste that adds unique flavor to foods. Eating jumiles is an old tradition in Mexico and considered part of the authentic regional cuisine.
In Southeast Asia, stink bugs may be found in street food dishes, especially in Thailand and Laos. Vendors will collect stink bugs from orchards and fry or roast them with garlic, herbs, and oils to tone down the pungent odor. Stink bugs are said to taste similar to tree nuts.
In parts of Africa, stink bugs are eaten as an important source of protein. The ḿbẹ̀tákáká stink bug is consumed in central Africa. It is dried, fried, and added to stews and porridges. Eating this nutritious insect helps sustain people in regions without reliable access to other protein sources.
So in areas where stink bug consumption is traditional, people eat them because they are part of the local food culture. The bugs are harvested purposefully and prepared in dishes as any other ingredient. The unique smell and flavor is not considered unpleasant. Instead, stink bugs add desired nuances to regional cuisines.
Survival
In survival situations where food is extremely scarce, people may resort to eating stink bugs. Though foul-smelling, stink bugs can provide essential calories, protein, vitamins, and nutrients to sustain human life.
Studies show stink bugs contain decent levels of important dietary components like fatty acids, amino acids, and minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc. The protein content is around 15-20%, comparable to other insects eaten for survival like crickets and grasshoppers.
When faced with starvation, the natural human instinct is to consume whatever may be available to prolong life. Stink bugs can seem appetizing simply because they are a source of energy. Their hardness also makes them easy to collect in large numbers compared to softer insects.
There are accounts of people trapped in dire circumstances like shipwrecks, plane crashes, or wartime situations who ate stink bugs out of necessity when no other food was available. While stink bugs would never be a preferred meal, their nutrients and accessibility make them a potential life-saving food in emergencies.
Curiosity and Dares
Another reason some people sample stink bugs is simply curiosity or dares. Those unfamiliar with stink bugs may be curious about how they actually taste. Their strong odor makes people wonder whether the flavor matches the smell.
Adventurous eaters like to try unique and taboo foods to test their limits and have new experiences. This includes parasites, live animals, and insects like stink bugs. For thrill-seekers, the idea of eating something considered weird or gross becomes a challenge.
Some people eat stink bugs on dares, either to win bets or prove their boldness in front of others. Teenagers and college students, especially fraternities and sororities, are notorious for daring each other to do gross things like eating stink bugs. The combined peer pressure and desire to impress others motivates these stunts.
While most who try eating stink bugs out of curiosity do not enjoy the experience, it does make for an amusing anecdote. The outside pressure of dares also encourages people to push past their comfort zones and sample these reeking insects.
Accidental Consumption
Many incidents of stink bug consumption are completely accidental. Since stink bugs often infest crop fields and orchards, they can inadvertently end up in food. Bugs may be harvested along with produce and processed into things like juices, jams, sauces, and baked goods without awareness, making their way undetected into finished products.
Stink bugs also tend to congregate inside homes during colder months, crawling into pantries and onto countertops. They can fall into bowls of batter, jars of herbs and spices, boxes of cereal, cans of soup, and basically any exposed human or pet food. Unless carefully inspected, food contaminated with stink bugs gets consumed without realizing.
People eating in outdoor settings like picnics, barbecues, and campsites can also easily bite into a stink bug hidden in a leaf of lettuce, onion, fold of a burger bun, or cluster of grapes. Since stink bugs blend in with some foods and do not make noise, they are easy to miss when preparing and serving dishes.
In most cases of accidental consumption, the strong odor and flavor become apparent upon the first bite, usually to the eater’s dismay. But if the stink bug blends in with the other ingredients, the entire bug may get swallowed without notice until sensing an odd aftertaste. Either way, accidentally eating stink bugs is generally unpleasant.
Nutritional Benefits
While not a popular or appealing food for most, stink bugs are very nutritious. Their potential health benefits lead some people to intentionally add them to their diets.
As mentioned, stink bugs contain decent amounts of protein, healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals. Specific compounds found in stink bugs offer antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprotective properties. They have high levels of omega fatty acids that support heart health.
Some specific benefits of compounds found in stink bugs include:
| Compound | Benefit |
| Palmitoleic acid | Reduces inflammation, provides wound healing |
| Oleic acid | Lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease risk |
| Myristic acid | Has antioxidant capacities that fight cell damage |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | Support skin health and metabolism |
With the popularity of high protein diets and functional foods, some health-conscious consumers add stink bugs to smoothies, protein bars, or powders to get a nutrient boost.
However, there are also potential risks to eating stink bugs. Like with any insect, allergies are possible. Stink bugs can also harbor pesticides, fungus, parasites, and other contaminants that can make a person sick if ingested. It is not universally recommended to eat them. But some people do believe the possible health gains outweigh the risks.
Taste
So with all these reasons why someone may eat stink bugs, the obvious question is – what do they actually taste like?
The consensus is…not good. Stink bugs release those pungent secretions as a defense mechanism, and the chemical composition is designed to repel predators. Even when thoroughly cooked, stink bugs retain a bitter, unpleasant flavor.
Most people describe the taste as acidic, chemical-like, and extremely sour. The odor released when chewing them is trash-like or skunk-like. Some have compared the experience to accidentally biting into an aspirin tablet.
There are slight flavor variations based on stink bug species and life stage. Adult harlequin stink bugs are said to be crunchier with a nutty essence. Brown marmorated stink bugs have a bitter aftertaste that lingers. Wheel bug nymphs are more juicy and tolerable.
But however they may be prepared and seasoned, stink bugs apparently do not lose their signature funky taste. For most palates, it is not an enjoyable experience. Unless part of a cultural cuisine, stink bugs are generally eaten out of desperation rather than for pleasurable eating.
Preparation Methods
If someone does intend to sample stink bugs, there are ways to make them slightly more appetizing. Some preparation methods to reduce the noxious odor and bitterness include:
– Roasting or boiling: Heat helps denature the proteins responsible for the defensive secretions. Roasting brings out a nuttier flavor.
– Frying: Quickly sautéing stink bugs in oil at high heat makes them crunchy on the outside. Internal moisture also dissipates.
– Marinating: Letting stink bugs soak for hours in sauces, spices, and acidic liquids may help neutralize unpleasant flavors.
– Powdering: Dried and powdered stink bugs can be added to protein shakes, smoothies, or bars without altering texture.
– Pairing with Strong Flavors: In dishes, strong seasonings like lemon, garlic, chili, or pepper can help mask undesirable taste.
– Removing Glands: The scent glands on a stink bug’s thorax can be cut off prior to cooking which reduces odor.
– Eating Nymphs: Immature stink bugs tend to be less bitter and pungent than adults. Their softer shells are also more palatable.
Of course, enough heat to completely burn the bugs and charring the remains to ash may be the only 100% effective preparation method for some people. But the above tips can make eating fresh stink bugs slightly less traumatic.
Legality of Consumption
A final consideration is whether eating stink bugs is even legal. In most parts of the world, there are no laws against consuming stink bugs. Some exceptions include:
– Protected Species: If a stink bug is classified as threatened or endangered, capturing and eating them may be prohibited. This applies to species like the wide-headed stink bug in Malaysia.
– Locations With Anti-Insect Eating Laws: Some jurisdictions ban entomophagy, though restrictions usually focus on live insects. Places like California prohibit serving live stink bugs in restaurants. Killing them first is typically permissible.
– Pesticide Residues: Stink bugs from industrial crop fields are more likely to contain pesticide residues. Consuming bugs with high chemical levels could violate food safety laws in some regions.
– Allergies: Anyone with a known allergy to stink bugs or other insects may be advised to avoid consuming them by healthcare professionals.
As long as harvested from a safe source, stink bugs should be legal to eat in most places. But it is wise to research local insect consumption laws before intentionally eating them or serving them to others.
Conclusion
To conclude, while stink bugs are not a popular or pleasant-tasting food for most people, there are a variety of reasons why someone may eat them anyway. In some cultures, they are a traditional food. When facing starvation, they can provide life-saving sustenance. The daring and adventurous may sample them on a whim or dare. Some purposefully eat stink bugs for perceived nutritional benefits, while many consume them entirely by accident. If someone is intent on eating a stink bug, quick cooking methods like frying and marinating can help reduce the signature stench and bitterness. While legal in most places, some locations do prohibit entomophagy, so it is wise to check local regulations before eating stink bugs. Regardless of preparation, most people consider them unappetizing. But under the right circumstances, humans can and do intentionally eat these foul-smelling, nutritious insects.
