Jeanette Aw Ventures into the World of Edible Insects

In a recent episode of her YouTube series, "JA Unscripted," Jeanette Aw, a renowned 45-year-old local actress and baker, embarked on an unusual culinary adventure. Guided by local beekeeper Clarence Chua at his bee farm, Aw explored the realm of edible insects, a challenge she had never dared to undertake before. The experience was marked by both courage and humor as Aw navigated the textures and flavors of various insects.

Jeanette Aw's interest in entomophagy was piqued by Clarence Chua, who introduced her to an array of insects. Among her first encounters was a cicada, which she initially mistook for a cockroach. Chua assured her that the insects at his farm were safe for consumption, emphasizing, "If I make Jeanette Aw eat a cockroach, then my reputation would become terrible. Don't worry, everything here is approved for consumption because they are clean. You can't eat cockroaches."

Despite her initial apprehensions, Aw bravely sampled a bee pupa and found it to have a subtle peanut butter flavor, agreeing with Chua's assessment. She also opted for the pincer over the stinger when given a choice. The experience of eating insects was a mental hurdle for Aw, who confessed, "It's just a mental thing that you are eating an insect. I feel like I cannot swallow it."

Aw's culinary journey continued as she sampled a variety of insects, including the Asian honey bee, coconut worm larva with honey and salt, superworm, silkworm, and two types of scorpions – a small "tasteless" one and a jungle scorpion. Despite her worries, Aw tried to be brave and approached each tasting with an open mind.

The grasshopper proved to be a particularly memorable experience for Aw. Encouraged by her friend to try a "huge" grasshopper in Cambodia—a challenge she previously avoided—Aw finally took the plunge under Chua's guidance. She noted that the grasshopper disintegrates into flaky bits when chewed. However, she disagreed with Chua's comparison of its taste to deep-fried squid or potato chips from economic rice stalls.

The experience was not without its humorous moments. While eating a grasshopper with jam, Aw found herself with a leg stuck in her teeth. She laughed off the incident, quipping, "I'm killing it" as she continued her insect-eating adventure.