That sweet and sticky substance that we all love – at least a good majority – commonly called honey is actually bees’ vomit! This is not to put you off, but just so you know and also to prepare you to consider other foods that others consider delicacies.

Last week we explored things that eat our time and one of the major time consumers is food! Its finding, preparation and eating does devour a huge part of our most precious unrecyclable resource, time! So isn’t it wise for us to study this time consuming phenomenon a bit more?

While others think insects are creepy and disgusting, grasshopper lovers will agree with such a viewpoint. For instance, in Uganda, grasshoppers are considered a major delicacy and during the month of November the industry strives. Grasshoppers are usually fried in oil and seasoned with salt and spices and served as a tasty snack! A few people boil and pound them into a sauce! In whatever form they are served, they are considered special.

If you go southward to South Africa, you will be welcomed with a huge dish of Mopane worms which are actually caterpillars. These are served in various forms, which can be fried crispy snack, grilled or well fried! You may eat with or without the eyes but whatever way it is, they are eaten with gusto! So if you fancy a caterpillar snack, you know where to go… South Africa, Botswana and other neighboring countries.

Casu Marzu is another incredible ‘delicacy’. It is a type of cheese that is eaten with live maggots – yes those soft, slimy, squiggly insects - moving in and out of the small holes that is has. The more maggots there are, the better the cheese is, as it shows that the cheese is alive and well.

Scrumptious scorpions are the in thing to grab the Chinese street vendors. What about the poison they are well known for, you may ask? Well apparently when they are fried, the poison loses its potency and bingo! You have yourself a tasty snack!

It is intriguing to note that spiders are another welcome treat in some parts of the world like Cambodia! They are deep fried and then served for the adventurous eater to munch on.

Research experts assert that a good number of insects have some food values, like potassium and zinc. And that they are especially filled with protein which is good for the body. That being said, these insects must be eaten with a lot of caution and good judgement! So which one would you eat?

Lois Nakibuuka is an educator and counsellor