Who would like to try a termite? our guide asked.
Everyone squirmed slightly, but Debbie and Ashley stepped up to the plate.
Er.. tree.
Plucking a juicy bug of the tree, they took a look at each other, shrugged their shoulders and partook in a little pre-lunch snack.
Tastes like carrots.
I didn’t participate in the insect buffet this time around; I’ve tasted a lot of weird things in my life, including termites, and I can assure you once is enough.
We started discussing food shortages and the fact that termites could potentially counter some of the world hunger issues.
Termites are high in protein and there are thought to be more than 250 trillion termites in the world, outnumbering humans 40,000-to-one.
The insects certainly are nutritious, having a good store of fat and protein with a nutty flavour when cooked.
Would you trade in your hamburger
for a yummy termite wrap?
We were exploring the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a “Not-for-Profit” Trust established in 1967 by a group of naturalists and bird-watchers to protect part of the Arima Valley in a natural state and to create a 1500 acre conservation and study area for the protection of wildlife and for the enjoyment of all.
The journey up the Northern range mountains, through narrow winding mountain roads, to 1200 feet in elevation was an adventure on its own.
Walking out onto the Centre’s bird watching verandah, I expected to see a bird or two.
I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.
A leaf-cutter ant nom nomming on some wood
A badass birdwatching scope lens
The verandah was surrounded by dozens of small colourful active birds. They ate the fruit strewn below and drank from the feeders lining the windows.
Hummingbirds flew so close that I could hear their wings.
On a guided forest walk we looked at different exotic plant species, followed bird calls like we were stalking them and got a closer loo at a lot of insect life on the forest floor.
The Asa Wright Nature Centre was definitely a highlight in Trinidad.
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This trip was made possible by Trinidad & Tobago.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ewww lol i don’t think i could eat one!!!
grossssss i would never!
haha dooo it
Your comments about once being enough for the termite tasting make a lot of sense. For those who did partake, hopefully, their stomachs handled the snack and their lunches well afterward.