抄録
Since ancient times, humanity has eaten insects such as ants, cicadas, bees, locusts, and silkworms. For example, locusts were not eaten out of poverty but served as a delicacy for royalty. In Japan, various insect species including locusts and bee larvae are consumed, with records showing that there are about 150 species eaten. Insects are still consumed as food worldwide, but it cannot be denied that localized insect eating cultures have developed in various regions. In Japan, Japanese grasshoppers are still eaten, but their consumption declined to a local delicacy level during the high economic growth period. However, since around 2013, there has been increasing interest in environmental issues, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and food tech, leading to a resurgence in insect consumption. The global edible insect market is expected to grow by nearly 25% annually and exceed $800 million by 2029. In Japan, cricket senbei (rice crackers) are now sold in supermarkets and 100-yen shops. Nevertheless, insects, which also have a negative image as pests, are still somewhat challenging for people to accept as a food source. Just as beef consumption was once viewed with aversion during the Edo period, food cultures evolve over time. It is necessary to continue monitoring how the recent insect consumption boom transitions from a cultural perspective in the future.
