Ant eggs

Ant eggs (Thai: ไข่มดเเดง, RTGS: khai mot daeng) refer to both the eggs and pupae of weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina, known in Thailand as red ants) eaten in several countries across Southeast Asia, especially Laos and Northeastern Thailand (Isan). They are high in protein and enjoyed for their sourness and pop when eaten along with soups, omelets, and salads.[1][2][3]

Leaf packets of larvae in Isaan

Maeng mun is a similar ant with eggs eaten in northern Thailand. Maeng mun are an underground species of ant.[4]

Nutrition

Ant eggs are a high source of protein. 100 grams contains more than 8.2 grams of protein. They have less fat and calories than chicken eggs by containing only 2.6 grams of fat while chicken egg contains more than 11.7 grams.[5] They contain other minerals such as; calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and Niacin.[6]

Uses

Red ant eggs are cooked in types of food such as Spicy Raw Ant Egg Salad. ก้อยไข่มดเเดง seems to be the most popular dish. Because they contain acetic acid, red ant eggs are used instead of lemon juice or vinegar in many Thai dishes.

Ant egg soup is a traditional dish of Laos, but popularity of the dish is waning in the younger generations.[3]

Ant eggs are also sold canned.[7]

Farming

Farming for red ant eggs is seen as a useful, low-cost business for poor communities.[8] Multiple nests can be grown on a single tree, such as mango or palm, and they are given supplemental food and sugar water until the eggs are to be harvested. Spawning season is from September to December and from January to April. Eggs can be collected in May and June, but care is taken not to damage the rest of the nest or kill any of the remaining ants.[9]

References
  1. "ประโยชน์ของไข่มดแดง". clipmass.com.
  2. Mishan, Ligaya (2018-09-07). "Why Aren't We Eating More Insects?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  3. "Urban Laotians pay handsomely for ant-egg soup". The Economist. 2020-08-13. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  4. "Hunting for Ants as food". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129095755/http://health.kapook.com/view82796.htm. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "ไข่มดแดง". gotoknow.org.
  7. "Two guys, a girl and a blindfold: Ant egg edition". Food. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  8. "Edible insects a boon to Thailand's farmers". phys.org. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  9. "The Making Red Ant Farm for Commerce". ku.ac.th. Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
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