Insects are often viewed as unwelcome picnic guests, but a new study by Changqi Liu, an associate professor of food science at San Diego State University, suggests that they could be a tasty, nutritious and sustainable addition to menus. Liu and his team analyzed the odor profiles of four species of edible ants – the chicatana ant, the common black ant, the spiny ant, and the weaver ant – and identified the volatile compounds present in each species that matched with their perceived odors using an olfactometer.
Liu became interested in studying ants after conducting research in Oaxaca, Mexico, where a variety of edible insects are readily available in markets. Despite the popularity of eating insects in some cultures, there are few studies on the flavor profiles of these creatures. Understanding the flavors of edible ants could help the food industry create products that utilize these readily available species.
The researchers found that different ant species exhibited unique flavor profiles. For example, common black ants had a sour, winey odor due to high formic acid content while chicatana ants had predominant odors of hazelnut, wood and grease. The researchers also analyzed ants at various developmental stages to understand how flavor profiles change. Despite the potential nutritional and environmental benefits of consuming edible insects like ants, consumers with food allergies especially to shellfish need to be cautious before trying them out for taste testing purposes.
Liu hopes to further explore the taste profiles of other ant species, developmental stages and different processes that affect flavor development in edible insects. While there are challenges to insect consumption like high prices and consumer acceptance; Liu believes that these insects can offer unique and delicious flavor profiles to culinary creations. By informing people about their nutritional and environmental benefits through this study; Liu hopes to promote their consumption without making people feel like they have sacrificed taste or nutrition.
Overall this study highlights that edible ants have distinct flavors which can add unique aromatic profiles to dishes making them a tasty addition to menus. Furthermore it emphasizes on how much potential they hold for culinary creations if only explored further despite any apprehensions or challenges associated with consuming them