Mopani Worms Origins
Mopane worms are edible insects enjoyed as an ethnic delicacy. They are a valuable food source for the poor rural communities living in close proximity to mopane trees in southern Africa mostly. Also known as mashontja in South Africa, and by various other names throughout Africa including amancimbi, macimbi, phane and omagungu.
Mopani Worms Characteristics
The mopane worm is actually the caterpillar form of the Emperor moth with scientific name Imbrasia belina. These caterpillars feed on the leaves of mopane trees, Colophospermum mopane which are mostly found on the African continent.
Harvesting Mopane worms usually occurs once a year and it is reported that it is mostly done by women who hand pick these caterpillars from the tree and can harvest up to 45kg a day in the mopane woodlands. Following harvesting, the caterpillars are eviscerated, washed then boiled and sun dried. This method of preparation allows the mopane worm to be stored at room temperature and used over a period of twelve months.
Mopani Worms Uses
Mopani Worms are often enjoyed as a seasoned crispy snack, or boiled and enjoyed with stiff maize porridge known as mielie pap in South Africa and sadza in Zimbabwe.
Mopane worms are sometimes added to vegetable stews or cooked with tomatoes onions and chillies in some countries. Their flavour profile is subtle yet somewhat distinctive. Most people celebrate their great crunchy texture.
Commercially, they are available in dried form and have also been found to be preserved in cans.
Mopani Worms Benefits
It is known to have been a good source of protein for many generations of communities and continues to be. Mopane worms are also sustainably sourced requiring very few resources, as they are harvested from communal woodlands.
Mopane worm trade is a thriving industry providing an income for many rural communities and it is now exported and enjoyed by the rest of the world too. However, like most natural resources there are always concerns over the social and ecological constraints brought on by the increase in popularity and consumption.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have reported that since 2014, many projects have been initiated on the African continent and in parts of Asia exploring, researching, and supporting the local communities who rely on edible insects as a food source thus providing a certain degree of food security in those geographical locations.
