[bigfudge]

But most fermented foods eaten in the west would also fit this definition … and you’re not calling out gherkins as disgusting.

In SE Asia and Africa some insects command high prices. People have preferences between them.

What food you find disgusting is likely entirely arbitrary — on the proviso that reasonably large populations of other people from other cultures don’t share your preference.

[petre]

We eat shrimp and crabs. They're basically water insects. I would totally eat insects approved as food, just not processed insect flour, which I think will be used as a filler in other products in the future, just like soybean protein is used today.

[idiotsecant]

damn i love me some gherkins. Are those fermented? I had no idea how they were made.

[petre]

Yes, you wash them with hot water and salt two or three times then leave them to ferment for a week or two in the last batch if salt water with horseraddish, parsley root and maybe a pepper if you like them a bit spicy (not kimchi spicy). This is the proper way to do it, as opposed to using vinegar.

[noSyncCloud]

They are pickled, not fermented (at least the kinds I can buy in the USA – perhaps there are other varieties?)