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Today's Paper | April 29, 2024

Published 03 Oct, 2013 04:34pm

Mosquito eggs: appetizing or not?

The Restaurant Bar Don Chon, in downtown Mexico City, was founded in 1924 and specializes in exotic Mexican food. Amongst the restaurant’s exotic menu, one dish in particular stands out; mosquito eggs. Though the dish would be seen as a taboo in most countries, it has a long history in Mexico. When the Spaniards began arriving in Mexico in the 16th century, they were amazed not only by the architecture, but also by the local diets of the Aztec, Tolmec and Mayan people. They were astonished as well somewhat repulsed by their taste for ants, locusts, tadpoles and crayfish. The traditions of the native people of Mexico have survived to this day. Amongst them is the consumption of insects, especially locusts, ant larva and worms, which remains a specialty of the traditional Mexican kitchen. One such delicacy is mosquito eggs from Michoacán. The eggs are so prized a small jar of them can cost up to US $50.

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