Knowledge of traditional insect consumption impacts sensory perception and emotional responses to cookies containing crickets

Abstract

Entomophagy has been proposed as a sustainable solution to increasing food demands worldwide. However, insect consumption is associated with negative attitudes, and this is a major barrier to consumption for many Western consumers. A consumer acceptability trial was conducted providing information about the nutritional benefits, sustainability benefits and traditional/current consumption of insects. The trial evaluated how this information affected Western consumers’ (residing in Atlantic Canada, n = 148) sensory perception and emotional response to cookies containing cricket powder. All participants evaluated an initial sample (cookie made with cricket powder) and were then randomly assigned to receive information about nutritional benefits (Nutritional), sustainable benefits (Sustainable) or traditional/current consumption of insects (Traditional) before evaluating a second cookie containing crickets. The information did not affect their hedonic response to the cookies, but it did change their sensory perception. Participants who were shown the Sustainable information more frequently selected nutty, dry, and hard, while participants that were shown the Traditional information, more frequently selected pale, and vanilla. Furthermore, the Nutritional information led to an increased selection of the disgusted emotion, while the Traditional information led to an increased selection of interested and a decreased selection of adventurous. Additionally, the Traditional information decreased the participants' beliefs that eating insects is disgusting and unnatural and will increase the risk of infectious diseases. The results indicate that information about traditional/current insect consumption is more impactful than nutritional and sustainability information on Western consumers’ attitudes towards entomophagy.