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Honestly if our animal-based foods looked more like the animal there would probably be more vegetarians :) I have a one word rebuttal: ribs. More broadly whole

Honestly if our animal-based foods looked more like the animal there would probably be more vegetarians :) I have a one word rebuttal: ribs. More broadly whole hog bbq, roast pig, whole fish, whole roast birds, etc. Stereotypes aside, a lot of the world’s favorite foods are clearly body parts, or the whole body, and people enjoy gnawing on the bones. Don’t underestimate the degree to which deliciousness overcomes squeamishness. Bugs tend not to be delicious, although they are nutritious, that’s less of a draw. People struggle to eat fruits and veggies which evolved to look appealing, because a steak tastes better to them. If you want people to eat bugs they need to compete on deliciousness with other available foodstuffs. If a bug burger doesn’t taste as good as a hamburger, or Impossible burger, or veggie burger... it will mot be adopted. The bugs I’ve eaten range from OK, through bland (with good seasonings doing the work) through unappealing. That’s not going to get beyond novelty, or niche adoption. People will eat a grilled portobello mushroom or bean burger before they eat fried crickets, because the burgers taste better.

mikekchar 8y ago
It's kind of a cultural thing. I was not a big fish eater before I came to Japan. I grew up in Winnipeg, which is far from the sea and even now I don't like river/lake fish. But even when I had fish in Canada (or saw it in the store), it was fillets (or fingers :-) ). In Japan, you are often served a recognisable fish. For small fish, you often eat the whole thing -- head and all! I had the strangest experience a few years ago when I went to the aquarium and they had a big school of shishamo fish. The first thing that came to my mind was, "They look delicious". I think it's just that cultural programming -- what does food look like? Once you start to associate that thing with good food, it seems delicious no matter what it is.
- clw8 8y ago
  It's really ironic that Westerners are disgusted by fish heads but Asians will fight over them at communal meals. I spent time in Japan and China and I'm a convert too. The heads are full of delicious fat. Whole fish in spicy Sichuan sauce is my absolute favorite splurge item at Chinese restaurants.
  - Semirhage 8y ago
    It really depends on the Westerners. If you mean Americans, then you’ll be right in regards to a large number of them. If you mean South and Central Americans, and many Europeans then you’re probably off base. “Westerner” is no more a useful label than “Easterner” in this.

mikekchar 8y ago

It's kind of a cultural thing. I was not a big fish eater before I came to Japan. I grew up in Winnipeg, which is far from the sea and even now I don't like river/lake fish. But even when I had fish in Canada (or saw it in the store), it was fillets (or fingers :-) ). In Japan, you are often served a recognisable fish. For small fish, you often eat the whole thing -- head and all! I had the strangest experience a few years ago when I went to the aquarium and they had a big school of shishamo fish. The first thing that came to my mind was, "They look delicious". I think it's just that cultural programming -- what does food look like? Once you start to associate that thing with good food, it seems delicious no matter what it is.

clw8 8y ago
It's really ironic that Westerners are disgusted by fish heads but Asians will fight over them at communal meals. I spent time in Japan and China and I'm a convert too. The heads are full of delicious fat. Whole fish in spicy Sichuan sauce is my absolute favorite splurge item at Chinese restaurants.
- Semirhage 8y ago
  It really depends on the Westerners. If you mean Americans, then you’ll be right in regards to a large number of them. If you mean South and Central Americans, and many Europeans then you’re probably off base. “Westerner” is no more a useful label than “Easterner” in this.