Japan Budget Airline Offers Cricket Powder-Laced In-Flight Food

Zipair Tokyo Inc., a low-cost carrier owned by Japan Airlines Co., has begun selling cricket powder-based in-flight meals, Tadakazu Nakamura reported for Mainichi Japan.

Photo Insert: Zipair created the meals, which include a tomato chili burger and "pescatore" seafood pasta, in collaboration with Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture-based Gryllus Inc.

This is the first time a domestic Japanese airline has used insect-based food for in-flight meals. Edible crickets are gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly snack, and the company expects that environmentally concerned clients will enjoy the new offers.

Zipair created the meals, which include a tomato chili burger and "pescatore" seafood pasta, in collaboration with Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture-based Gryllus Inc., a venture organization founded by Tokushima University that develops cricket-derived delicacies.

Both meals are 1,500 yen (about $11) and must be reserved. Each dish comprises 4.5 grams of Gryllus' edible cricket powder, which is blended into the burger buns and patties as well as the tomato sauce in the pasta.

In-flight catering company chef Keita Masuda, who developed the meals, said of the cricket powder's appeal "the powder has a shrimpy taste and nutty aroma, and using it expands the food's umami flavor."

Gryllus claims that edible insects require less food than animals and mature much faster.

They are considered to be one answer to food shortages because they are high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals. Cricket powder is already being used in commercial rice crackers and biscuits, and Gryllus President Takahito Watanabe is eager to “have crickets take root in society as a new food."

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