Can’t say they aren’t persistent.

They’re tastier than they look. Edible insects in the form of wriggling maggots or hairy caterpillars are both delicacy and staple in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a central African nation of nearly 120 million people.

In markets in the capital Kinshasa, tubs full of writhing white maggots line the alleyways, and women traders fry caterpillars, spiced with chili, over charcoal fires. “The more you eat caterpillars, the more you’ll have a long life,” says Trésor Kisanbu, clutching a small plastic bag of fried caterpillars, in Kinshasa’s largest market, Marché Liberté. “It strengthens your muscles and your eyes, it’s really organic,” he adds.

Villagers harvest fresh caterpillars and maggots from rotting tree trunks in forested areas in the Congolese interior. From there, they’re sent by the boatload down the Congo River — the second-largest in Africa — for sale in Kinshasa’s markets.

If people want to eat insects, have at it. However, the reason why the people of so many nations, like Democratic Republic of Congo or Thailand, consume them is cultural and a lack of food. Instead of pushing insects to eat, how making meat more plentiful due to its nutritional value? Oh wait, the establishment can’t have that or people will he harder to control.

It has also long been claimed that eating bugs is good for the planet, but a recent study took issue with that assertion. From the London Times:

A study commissioned by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has found that insect protein is generally worse for the environment than less outré non-meat protein alternatives — such as soy.

The study suggests that unless we actively prefer cricket kebabs and mealworm dishes, there is no compelling reason to introduce them to our food system — for us or for animals.

Even still, to this day, the establishment still reels against people, like Alex Jones and Candace Owens, who have urged their followers not to eat insects. That is proof enough that even proponents of eating bugs aren’t sure or comfortable with their position. So, they try to resort to slander or may be even deception in order to get people to consume bugs instead of meat.

No thanks! Give me a good steak or burger any day of the week.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pixabay