Think Twice Before Dining on Cicadas.....

[Edwood]

My Dad and his colleague are completing a study on mercury levels in soil and levels contained in cicadas.

Apparently, levels of mercury have been found in cicadas. In fact, some levels were higher than those in the worst cases of fish, like shark, swordfish, and tuna.

http://www.cincypost.com/2004/05/29/cicadas052904.html

It made news on NPR too.

My favorite quote.

"Anything staying underground for 17 years and taking in all the heavy metals -- don't eat it."

Don't do it!

Not pictures of my Dad and his Colleague, just a pic I found.

Looks like I won't be making it back to Cincinnati in time to see the cicadas, but I certainly won't be chowing down on those mercury laced cicadas. I have enough mercury in me as it is.

Mmmmm. Sushi.............

-Ed

 

[acs236]

Better advice...

Don't think about it at all!

 

[fewtch]

Yeah... let the poor things alone to mate, and don't eat them unless you're into heavy metal!

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

why would you eat such an ugly thing?

 

[Canman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProFingerSk8er why would you eat such an ugly thing?

The question is...how do they taste?

Edwood, what is your preferred cicada preparation method?

 

[fewtch]

The word is they have a 'nutty' flavor. The question is: Why not just eat nuts, and leave the bugs for the birds...

 

[john_jcb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman The question is...how do they taste? Edwood, what is your preferred cicada preparation method?

Bugs usually have a roasted nutty flavor with an aftertaste slightly reminiscent of espresso.

Most everything else tastes like chicken.

 

[mbriant]

I tried a chocolate covered grasshopper...once. Tasted like a chocolate covered grasshopper.

 

[Bob Ebophalus]

While we're still talking about eating insects, I once ate a chocolate covered cricket. Tasted like a piece of chocolate with a flavorless, crunchy thing inside. I would probably do it again with some incentive.

 

[warubozu]

Man, just looking at those things gives me the heebie jeebies. I guess if you can get over the looks of them and are brave enough it might not be so bad.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

I found this statement funny:

He further recommended that pregnant women and young children in particular limit their cicada intake as a result of his findings -- like, to zero.

 

[Gariver]

Even if you paid me a hefty sum of money, I would NOT eat an insect! NEVER!

 

[itza2mer]

The Diet Rite can is a nice touch.

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

Even if you paid me a hefty sum of money, I would NOT eat an insect! NEVER!

Too late ! Most, if not all food processors ( prepared meats, cheese, peanut butter, jam, soup, canned goods, bread, etc.) are allowed a very small percentage of insect parts to be included in their products. As sanitary as these factories are, government regulations assume the odd bug is going to get into the process now and then. Most of the time they wind up gound into tiny pieces so you won't notice them. Chances are, most of us have eaten a wide selection of bugs by now. Mostly cockroaches. Not kidding.....read about it HERE

 

[m0nKeY bUsiNeSs]

This thread really makes me think of the Monty Python "Crunchy Frog" skit