‘Maggot ice cream’ made in South Africa claims to be ‘protein-rich, eco-friendly’

Gourmet Grubb serves maggot-based ice cream, claimed to be environment-friendly and nutritious. Image: Facebook/Gourmet Grubb

An ice cream parlor in South Africa has reached a whole different level, serving ice cream made from maggots, in hopes of creating a more eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to the frozen treat.

Gourmet Grubb, an ice cream shop in Cape Town, Africa, has created a maggot-based ice cream, processed from the larvae of black soldier flies. According to Sky News on May 4, the grub ice cream requires the use of fewer resources, such as water and land, compared to the resources used by the dairy-based dessert if made traditionally.

“Insects are typically environmentally friendly and sustainable to farm because they use very little land, water and food to grow on,” head of product development at Gourmet Grubb, Leah Bessa, was quoted as saying.

Aside from the environment, consumers may also benefit from eating the ice cream, since its main ingredients “produce a lot of protein and fat and minerals,” according to Bessa.

However, while eating sustainable and nutritious food is ideal, Dr. Mike Picker, an insect ecologist from Cape Town University, said that the unusual ingredient might not appeal to most people.

“The problem is one of culture — convincing people that this is something that they should be able to eat,” Picker said as per report.

But the customers who dared to try the grub ice cream, which comes in cocoa and honey flavors, were pleasantly surprised, as per report. One customer, Pieter Roodt, complimented the taste, saying, “It tastes pretty good. It tastes like [how] ice cream should taste.” Another customer Daoyi Liu said that the ice cream tastes “organic” and “vegan.”

Gourmet Grubb currently sells its maggot ice cream in weekly markets, the report stated. The company also plans on opening its own physical shop and expanding internationally, particularly in Western countries.

Aside from the maggot ice cream, Gourmet Grubb also created the “insect milk” called “Entomilk”. Casey Eridio/JB

RELATED STORIES:

Veggie ice cream anyone?

Chinese man sprays insecticide into ear to kill trapped cockroach