Crickets on the Menu with Crobar
Last year a selection of health-focussed, energy bars made with cricket flour was launched nationwide.
Crobar is the first food product to retail in the UK that uses insects as an ingredient and the bars are billed as a healthy source of vitamins, antioxidants and protein - as well as being gluten, soy and dairy-free.
Crobar is the first product by UK company Gathr and is available in two varieties; Cacao and Peanut. The products are now stocked at Planet Organic and selected health stores, delis and farm shops.
Amidst the recent health implications linked to some sources of red meat and the sustainability issues around livestock farming, insects are becoming a more viable and an accepted source of nutrition in Western culture and have long been a staple of diets across the world.
Crobar by Gathr contains cricket flour, a powder ground from roasted crickets and available in two delicious flavours. For nut lovers there is 'Peanut & Cricket Flour' made with peanuts, sultanas, dates, sunflower seeds and cricket flour, which is packed with antioxidants and minerals. For those with more of a sweet tooth there is 'Cacao & Cricket Flour', an energy bar made with cacao, chia, goji berries, cranberries and cricket flour, which is high in fibre and omega 3 fatty acids.
Organic cricket flour is sourced for Crobar from crickets that have been fed a diet of organic nuts, seeds and fruits to give them a nutty flavour. The reason for using crickets is that they contain more protein and less fat than an equivalent amount of beef, plus are high in iron and vitamin B12. Crickets also produce far less CO2 than cows and to produce 1lb of crickets takes just four litres of water compared to 9000 litres for 1lb of beef.
As well as energy bars, Gathr is also stocking organic cricket flour, which is incredibly versatile and can be used in everyday cooking.
There is no limit to the possibilities of incorporating insects in food and Gathr aims to launch a variety of food products in the UK that are health-focussed and sustainably sourced.
Find out more at www.gathrfoods.com or visit the BBC Good Food Eat Well Show this coming weekend (20th - 22nd May 2016) at Excel London.