When taking a tour of Thailand, cliff diving and hiking may come to mind in terms of adventure travel. While these are definitely activities to do, some may find that getting adventurous with the cuisine could break some new boundaries.
When most people think of Thai cuisine, images of curry and spicy peppers immediately pop up. However, those touring Thai markets are in for a surprise, as they may notice an abundance of insects to eat. Thailand residents, particularly in the northern region of the country, eat deep-fried insects including grasshoppers, crickets, silkworms and termites.
Although most people snack on the deep-fried insects, bugs have also made their way into traditional dishes as well. Some water bugs are used in a chili dip known as nam phrik maungda, and silk worms can be found in omelets.
According to BBC News, many people in Thailand enjoy eating insects for their high protein value.
"They're a good way to supplement your diet. They've got a lot of calcium and protein," Prayad Yupin, from the region's Agricultural Development Research Center, told the news provider.
Not only have the insects become popular, by agriculture officials are even encouraging farming bugs specifically for culinary reasons.
