How would you like your BSFL?

How would you like your Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Sir?

When I was at the Dutch zoo Apenheul years ago, I discovered that you can order what the monkeys get: grasshoppers and larvae. I tried the first, deep fried and with a sauce and it tasted exquisite. I understand the prejudice that most of us have because insects are the creeps that you prefer to aim your spray at. But let's be honest: look at a shrimp or a mussel, they don't look very pretty either, do they? And what about the animals that have been chopped into pieces before they are unrecognizably presented in a styrofoam container covered with cellophane in the supermarket?

Both the grashoppers and the larvae are the monkeys’ protein source, important for them but equally for us, humans.

With proteins we think mainly of meat. But the meat industry is under heavy pressure, and rightly so, because it is environmentally and ethically questionable, to say the least. Fish is another protein source, but things go wrong there too: we empty the seas and what there is left contains microplastics. Beans and legumes, dairy, soy products and nuts are good alternatives, although they often do not have all the amino acids (the building blocks of proteins)  that people need. And if they are not of organic origin, you may wonder if they are that healthy at all.

And then there are the insects and they are the good news: they form an almost unlimited source of proteins and among them there is one champion: the Black Soldier Fly aka BSF.

The BSF is an insect that we have all seen, mostly in the kitchen. It is harmless, not as annoying as normal flies and just looking for a good place to lay her eggs, preferably in your container for organic waste. 

One of their most interesting properties is its closed life cycle. The adult female lays its eggs not long before dying, and the larvae hatches in around 4 days. 

They are a enormous source of protein, including all of the essential amino acids, the ones we cannot produce ourselves, but must be in our diet. They contain fortythree (43) % of protein and are rich in calcium and many more nutrients. 

But there are many more reasons to introduce the BSFL in our daily meal:

They are extremely clean, their digestive processes kill any bacteria that they may encounter in their own food. 

They reproduce at much higher rates than any other source of animal protein.

They are easy to farm and they harvest themselves. There are already BSF farms for your kitchen, check out this link for an example.

They are great converting food into meat (1,5 kg of food for 1 kg of meat), much more effective than a cow for instance (10kg for 1kg)

They are very easy to grow and to keep

They are much better for the environment (no gases, no transport, etc.)

They taste delicious (Those that have tried the black soldier fly larvae say that when cooking it, they smell somewhat like potatoes. When you eat them, they taste nutty and meaty, with a texture of soft meat. )

They solve the food waste problem

Their waste is an excellent fertilizer.

Already now, you can buy foods made with BSFL. Last year, the company Enorm from Denmark, launched the world’s first BSFL cookies (Fluekiks). 

It seems to me a matter of time until other BSF products come on the market, such as hamburgers, sausages, etc. It requires a mind shift and that is difficult. But hopefully we will soon be eating a Big BSFL instead of the mess that is now being offered.

Enjoy your meal!

Hasta la vista!

Paul & Marina