Acheta protein is another word for cricket protein. Acheta domesticus is the scientific name for the common house cricket – The same kind of cricket you feed to your pet lizard.
Acheta protein is becoming more common as a food ingredient. You will see ‘Acheta’ show up on food labels soon if you haven’t already. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve eaten crickets already without knowing it.
Why not just call Acheta what it is? (cricket protein) It’s called Acheta protein because it’s used in food and because ‘cricket’ sounds gross. They know that nobody would eat crickets voluntarily.
But if you had to choose, would you rather eat crickets or eat Acheta?
One sounds disgusting while the other sounds exotic. At least people give Acheta a thought, even if it’s just out of curiosity.
Cricket Powder for People
Crickets are a staple food for livestock and cold-blooded pets. Now, Cricket protein has made it’s way into foods for human consumption.
To be fair, this is nothing new. Cricket protein has been used in food products for a while now. I heard about it years ago on the Tim Ferris podcast where he mentioned Exo Protein Bars, which are made using cricket protein.
Exo was a start up company at the time. Now cricket farms are big industry.
And even though cricket protein has been around for years, the push for consuming it is getting strong.
Why is that???
Well, for starters, insects were just approved in the European Union for human consumption. Plus, insect protein like crickets and mealworm are “good for the environment”. And way more sustainable than beef they say.
Acheta protein is touted as a ‘sustainable’ protein source that is ‘better for the planet’.
Hard to say for sure if that’s true, but if you know then let me know in the comments.
I don’t doubt crickets are more sustainable for the planet per se. But are they sustainable for people? I mean, sure, you can survive eating bugs. But will you thrive? We’ll see soon enough I suppose…
At the very least, Bug Scientists state that these critters excel at recycling chicken manure (shit) which in turn makes them great feed stuffs for chickens. Sustainable indeed.
What is Cricket Protein?
Cricket protein is just what it sounds like. It’s protein powder made from ground up crickets. Then you give is an obscure name like Acheta protein because it’s easier to stomach than ‘Cricket protein’.
Keep an eye on food labels for Acheta protein. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a popular additive to processed foods in the future.
Especially since it’s already happening. Cricket flour is available for your baking pleasure. Apparently it tastes nutty and earthy and makes one heck of a muffin.
Celebrities, chefs, and celebrity chefs are endorsing the stuff. And probably won’t stop any time soon.
I’m not recommending it, but if you want to try cricket powder for yourself, then by all means, go for it. Unless you’re allergic to shellfish of course…because apparently the humble cricket is related to crustaceans like lobsters and mollusks.
Are Crickets Kosher?
If memory serves me correctly, Kosher food law states that shellfish are not Kosher, thus not fit for human consumption.
Acheta domesticus is the lobster’s cousin. And if you have a shellfish allergy then eating crickets might trigger you. That makes it seem like crickets are not Kosher to me.
Predictions about Cricket Protein
This new trend will be fun to watch. There will be hordes of fitness influences shilling Acheta protein. Many will claim natural bodybuilding status while looking like a house. What’s their secret to looking like a greek god? Bug protein of course!
Seriously though, the bug eaters will be like the vegan bodybuilders who said they only eat Kale and that’s why they look like Arnold Schwarzenegger (while conveniently opting not to tell you about the extracurricular hormones they are ingesting/injecting.)
The Next Food Frontier?
Anyway, it’s time to wrap this article up. I think we agree that eating crickets sounds disgusting.
But with food shortages and climate emergencies etc., etc., popping up lately that maybe it’s a miracle that crickets and mealworms and bugs are here and ready to keep hungry mouths fed (incredible timing!)
As the worlds population climbs we need to find ways to feed everyone. And bugs as a sustainable protein source isn’t so farfetched. It seems like that idea is becoming more of a reality as cricket farms are popping up left and right across the world.
Plus the ever increasing scrutiny of beef and livestock being harmful for the planet is becoming more of a hot button every day. Whether it’s true or not doesn’t really matter at this point. If enough people believe meat is bad then it’s easier to get rid of.
And that’s all it takes really – is enough people to believe that eating crickets is the right thing to do for Mother Earth. Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t. But I’m sure there are other things we can do to clean up the environment besides eat bugs.
But what do I know? I’m just a meat-loving meathead who loves my beef grass-fed.
No bugs for me, thanks. Crickets are for the birds.
What a bunch od misinformation. Chitin is extremely dangerous for mammals and shouldn’t be allowed in products meant for human consumption. Eat at your own risk but don’t complain when you develop cancers.
You’re right. Plus there full of parasites. Look up hairworms in bugs if you dare.
I think you mean horsehair worms. Not as bad as tapeworms, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, and nematodes which are also found in crickets. Puts a new meaning on getting more than you bargained for….
Should come with a warning.
Locusts are kosher. Some rabbis extend this to crickets and grasshoppers, but strictly interpreted, they are nto kosher.
Interesting – thank you for sharing your insight, Maria!
I had read somewhere about crickets being an excellent source of omega 3, something not as abundantly found in red meat. They made it look nutritious and delicious. I’d probably try it before I knock it, but I’d need more information first. Especially on the risk of parasites.
The only reason why they say we should eat bugs is because there’s going to be food shortages because governments like the Netherlands are closing down farms because they say nitrogen as in fertiliser is bad for the planet. Plus the WEF have got an agenda also, we eat bugs the eat steak .
Crickets are Kosher: 21There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. 22Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 23But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean. – Leviticus 11:21-22
So crickets are unfortunately! Kosher.
Crickets are Kosher: 21There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. 22Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 23But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean. – Leviticus 11:21-23
So crickets are unfortunately! Kosher.
Doesn’t mean you have to eat them – you still have choice. Read labels and avoid ( if you choose)
This is just plain gross! I posted it to my Facebook site and ALL my friend agree! How can they even serve this crap when there is chitin in the exoskeleton like the comment above?! IT IS NOT GOOD! Everyone better do a lot of research on what they are eating more than ever now! My avocados are now rotten inside and bitter because of the chemical Apeel!