Last night, I attended a food media event called Taste Talks NYC. On the way out, I was handed a swag bag (score!) and from within said bag, I nonchalantly pulled out an informational flyer for Exo protein bars. The flyer boasted that the bars are all-natural, gluten, soy and dairy-free. And, that they are made with cricket flour, which really caught my attention, as you might imagine.
This nifty chart on the back of the flyer showed the protein and sustainability superiority of dried crickets versus traditional animal proteins. ”Is this a joke?” was my first thought. Is this really where the organic-local-sustainable food movement is headed, or are these guys just curious how far they can push the boundaries? I mean, is this not the kind of product that could be advertised on Portlandia? Seeing as there was one of these cricket protein bars in the swag bag, and that Exo has a legitimate website, I’m going to have to assume that Exo is not trolling us after all.
After getting over the initial shock, I realized that apart from being unusual, these bars are committing no crime. I have no problem with eating pigs, cows and chickens - and even ostriches or goats - so why should adding another animal to the mix elicit such horror? Besides, insects are a staple of many countries’ diets and have been for centuries.
Developed by two recent college grads, Exo seeks to normalize insect consumption in the Western world. The idea for cricket flour protein bars was born out of the desire for a snack that’s actually nutritious and not chemically processed, as most supposedly healthy granola and protein bars are. And lest you worry about their production, according to Exo’s website, the crickets are farm-raised and fed a Certified Organic diet. The flour is made by drying out the crickets and milling them into a flour that’s naturally high in nutrients. The flour is then mixed with more traditional ingredients like nuts, fruit and cocoa, and formed into portable snacks.
Exo’s website tells the story of how the first batch was made. By the second sentence of the story, I learned that the crickets were “very, very loud” and that they were made into flour with a Vitamix, which sounds like something out of a horror movie. And yes, I know that whatever happens to my beloved pulled pork before it’s slow-roasted and sauced is much, much worse, but for some reason I just can’t get that cricket-cricket sound of our my head.
For the sake of journalism (or whatever it is I do here), I knew I had to try this bar. I opened the wrapper and went in for a bite. Hesitant, I stopped to sniff, like the inner feline that I undoubtedly am. The bar had a pleasant peanuty aroma and finally, I took a bite. The bar was grainy and chewy in texture, and tasted nutty and pretty sour from the added strawberries, apricots and raisin juice concentrate. The great thing is that it definitely lacked that toothache-inducing sweetness of, say, Clif bars. But I could not get through the whole bar. I know it’s hypocritical, but I’m just not ready to eat cricket protein bars. And it’s no surprise that visuals of actual crickets are, for the most part, cautiously omitted from their website, Kickstarter video and products.
Thoughts?
Haha, I would have gone through the exact thought process as you did! I believe some countries in South America, actually eat whole crickets (they`re flavored, somehow). Being a foodie, I would have tried the bar as well! I love the thought of protein bars, but most have a lot of sugar, which I find counterproductive. Haha.
Crickets? In a chocolate (even though it’s not chocolate) bar…? Sounds like something those dreadful Australian people would eat.
Nice nails by the way.
Thank you. You’re very attentive.