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[Iduno]

Also are we looking how to redesign the base product or how could one make something on their own to make them palatable?

Have they considered that "toppings" would be a better idea, and also easier to make? That, or really start trolling them with bad ideas "people like alfredo sauce on pasta, how about noodles made of alredo sauce?" I literally just came up with that idea trying to come up with bad ideas, and I don't think it lives up to their plan.

[nenjin]

I haven't tried it yet so I can't comment on why it's bad. But I imagine I will at some point. Texture was mentioned as a problem in addition to the taste. I'm basically picturing a batch of steamed crickets and what that would smell like and my brain is coming back with "it probably smells like dirt." The pasta is this is REALLY SUPER ATTRACTIVE grey color, too.

Also are we looking how to redesign the base product or how could one make something on their own to make them palatable?

Yes, I suppose. It really comes down to what the angle is. For me, if it tastes like shit the only people that are going to buy it are vegans and woke millennials. I'm actually interested in it for its nutritional content, because it's got like 10g of protein for a half cup which for pasta is pretty great.

Like, I think just adding things that pasta normally has would go a long way towards making it edible. But if the plan is to keep it animal product free and w/e, well, I'm not super interested in pursuing that. I don't know a shitload about pasta making so I'm wondering what else can be done other than adding in the usual suspects. You can season stuff all you want but if the base it's going over is blech, all you're really doing it concealing it.

My brother mentioned maybe trying to purify the powder to remove whatever doesn't taste good, but I'm guess what doesn't taste good is also what gives it most of its nutritional value, which is namely chitin.

[itisnotlogical]

How is the cricket powder processed? Is it just ground up crickets, or is it bleached or broken down in any way? Have they tried any other bugs, or is this their first pass at such a product?

There has to be plant substitutes for oils and fats, if they really want that badly to keep it free of animal products. At least, the presence of almond- and cashew-based milks and yogurts seems to suggest so.

[Sirus]

I'm just stuck trying to figure out why vegans, of all people, are being considered as possible consumers of something explicitly made from / of animals.

[nenjin]

I believe it's just straight up ground crickets. I don't think it's blanched or boiled or anything. They've been in business for a few years now so I imagine this is as close as scientists could get to a workable product. Minimally processed seemed to be their guiding principle here.

There are plenty of plant-based options for oil and fat, like olive oil etc...

Really depends on what the folks here want to do. I don't drive the bus, I just sit on it. My druthers would be ditch the whole keto-friendly (which it has 38g of carbs per half cup so that already is out the window) vegan, animal-free angle and just make it edible. At that point it's basically protein-fortified pasta.

I'm just stuck trying to figure out why vegans, of all people, are being considered as possible consumers of something explicitly made from / of animals.

Insects are technically animals but since they're not cute I'm sure they don't register on most vegan's radars as a problem.

[Mephisto]

The only commercially-available bug pasta I'm aware of seems to be using 20% cricket flour and a blend of semolina, durum, and maybe some other type of flour. It looks like pasta with flecks and apparently has the texture of whole wheat pasta, which some people have issues with.

If the stuff you're working with is gray, maybe reduce the percentage?

[itisnotlogical]

I'm just stuck trying to figure out why vegans, of all people, are being considered as possible consumers of something explicitly made from / of animals.

Well, a colony of crickets or roaches has far smaller ecological impact than traditional meat, so there's at least one argument against meat/dairy appeased.

Also, I imagine some people are vegetarian/vegan for health concerns, not just ethical.

[Dunamisdeos]

Oooooooh a food thread.

I cook :[]

I like to experiment and make new things. Like I just made pork loin, but also made a sesame/sage/sherry sauce to go on it and it is amazing.

[Ulfarr]

I think the reason behind using only flour and the ground crickets is to ensure a good shelf life for the pasta. I'm not sure but i think the usual store bought pasta don't have anything else other than flour and water. If that is true then there isn't much that can be done on the pasta itself and like the ordinary pasta it's up to the condiments to actually give them any flavor.

For the base product:

1) Grinding the crickets more should help with the texture issues.
2) I know that in a lot of the recipes involving bugs they tend to deep fry them, which might help enhancing their flavor.
3) Roasting the flour is also a common way to boost its flavor, but it's mostly used in sauces. And in beers.

Heating processes are quite costly so I'm not how viable the end product will be.

For the condiments:

Since it already has a protein source, I would focus on stuff that can give them a strong flavor, garlic and butter were my first thought besides salt.

[nenjin]

Checking my favorite brand of regular store bought pasta, it contains no seasonings, no egg, no oil. And it keeps very well.

So yeah, adding anything like oil, butter, or eggs will drastically reduce the shelf life of it.

[itisnotlogical]

I tried doing a poached egg in the microwave because I'm tired of messing with crappy pans and melted spatulas. It turned out great, except for it exploding with the force of a hand grenade in the microwave. My only sin was doing it for exactly ten seconds longer than the recipe said.

[Iduno]

I tried doing a poached egg in the microwave because I'm tired of messing with crappy pans and melted spatulas. It turned out great, except for it exploding with the force of a hand grenade in the microwave. My only sin was doing it for exactly ten seconds longer than the recipe said.

A metal serving spoon is much less likely to melt.

Although, at best, poached eggs are barely worth the effort.

[Wizard of Manaia]

I feel like you don't know what a poached egg is.

[nenjin]

Shots fired!

[Iduno]

I feel like you don't know what a poached egg is.

It's an egg over easy with 4 times the prep time and half the success rate.