Insects could give a meaty taste to food — and help the environment

Flavorings made from mealworms could one day be used on convenience food as a source of protein

“Insects are a nutritious and healthy food source with high amounts of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber and high-quality protein, which is like that of meat,” says In Hee Cho, a researcher at Wonkwang University in South Korea

Insects can be turned into meat-like flavours, helping provide a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional meat options, scientists have discovered.

Mealworms, the larval form of the yellow mealworm beetle, have been cooked with sugar by researchers who found that the result is a meat-like flavouring that could one day be used on convenience food as a source of protein.