The taste for eating insects is not something that characterizes most humans, except for those who love exotic flavors. Because, let's be completely honest, even though we could get a high nutritional value Thanks to the consumption of certain bugs, the sensation of chewing a worm or a caterpillar is far from pleasant. However, annually we end up unknowingly ingesting around 900 grams of these animals deposited in processed foods, vegetables, fruits and spices. There's also insects in the Paprika ?
Insects in the Paprika
The answer is that there are insects in the Paprika, and it is possible that, if you have one of these bottles reserved for months in the cupboard, if you examine it closely, you may find beetles tiny inside. We alert you, they are almost imperceptible.
Paprika, also known as paprika powder or chili pepper, is a reddish-colored condiment that brings a delicious flavor to food. And just as we love it, insects can not resist this either succulent ingredient . Especially because spices made from peppers , like Paprika itself, cayenne pepper and chili powder are your weakness.
Why? Explained by a board certified entomologist at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, Jody M. Green, as these condiments are rich in minerals and vitamins , paprika and cayenne have a high prevalence of insect dirt compared to other spices.
"The pepper family seems to contain the necessary nutritional requirements so that multiple generations of beetles deposited in stored products can maintain life successfully," add Green .
As we explained at the beginning, insects in the Paprika They are usually beetles or tobacco weevils (dark colored), or beetles from pharmacies , which are easily camouflaged by wearing a tone similar to that of this spice (reddish brown). We do not seek to disturb you, but it is even more complicated to visualize them because they are as small as a sesame seed.
And it often happens that these beetles are confused by worms, since the pests of this type go through a complete metamorphosis: they have an egg, larva, pupa and adult stage. When they are larvae, it is there that they manage to mislead us.
But what should we do if we find insects in Paprika? Should he be discarded? For nothing! It is recommended:
- Place the spices in the freezer for four days before storing them in the cupboard. This way we would kill the bugs in case they are infested.
- Another solution, if you have bought the Paprika in bulk, reserve it in airtight containers, preferably glass, to avoid the entry of any insect.
- Also, keep clean the storage place, of course, to prevent turning it into a breeding ground for insects.
Maybe the warning and the previous advice will be useful to you to avoid eating something that you never considered to include in your alimentary routine, although it is not going to sit down badly. What do you think?