Germany’s Bug Burgers | DW English

Summary

The script introduces 'Bugs Burger', a unique hamburger containing ground mealworms, a sustainable protein source. Dutch manufacturer Proteas, which has bred insects for animal feed and cosmetics for four decades, is now focusing on human consumption. With insects requiring less space, water, and feed than traditional livestock, and producing minimal CO2 emissions, they are a climate-friendly alternative. Max Kramer and Bearish Ersal founded Buck's Burger after discovering edible insects on a world trip. Their burger, made from ground mealworms mixed with peas, water, and spices, aims to reduce meat consumption and its environmental impact. Despite initial skepticism, the concept is gaining popularity, and with the legalization of insect food products in Germany on the horizon, Buck's Burger is set to disrupt the fast-food industry.

Takeaways

• 🍔 The 'Bucks Burger' is a unique hamburger that includes ground-up insect larvae as half of its meat patty.
• 🐛 The main ingredient of the burger is ground mealworms, which are the larvae of the darkling beetle.
• 🇳🇱 The insect larvae for the burger are bred in the Dutch town of Eerbeek, where the manufacturer has been breeding insects for about forty years.
• 🔍 Nicol Ruud, the plant manager of Proteas arm, regularly checks the quality of the worms used in the burgers.
• 🌍 Around two billion people worldwide consume insects daily, but it remains a taboo in Europe.
• 🕊️ Eating insects is considered normal within five years in Europe, according to the plant manager's prediction.
• 🌱 Insects are a sustainable source of energy with 50% protein content and require minimal space, water, and feed compared to other animals.
• 💨 The larvae produce minimal CO2 emissions, making them an environmentally friendly option.
• 📦 The worms are raised in boxes, consuming grain, and are harvested after three months, then flash frozen and shipped.
• 💡 Max Kramer and Bearish Ersal founded Buck's Burger after being inspired by edible insects during their world trip.
• 🚀 The founders started their business with 10,000 euros and have grown to employ a team of four people.
• 🤔 Initially, friends and family thought the idea was crazy, but now they find it cool and are eager to try the burgers.
• 🍽️ The burger patties are made by mixing ground mealworms with peas, water, and a secret spice mixture.
• 🌳 The founders aim to reduce meat consumption for environmental benefits, such as using less grain for cattle feed.
• 🌍 They hope their business can serve as a model for other countries, especially developing ones, to adopt insect-based diets.
• 🇩🇪 In Germany, it is currently illegal to sell food products containing insects, but this will change next year.
• 🍴 A few restaurants in Belgium and the Netherlands already offer Bucks burgers on their menus, priced between 12 and 17 euros.

Q & A

What is unique about the Bucks burger?

The unique aspect of the Bucks burger is that half of the meat patty consists of ground-up insect larvae.

Who is the student that tried the Bucks burger and what did they think?

The student who tried the Bucks burger is Baraboo Cumin, and they thought it was a good experience.

What is the main ingredient in the Vera's Box burger?

The main ingredient in Vera's Box burger is ground mealworms, which are the larvae of the darkling beetle.

Where does the production of insect burgers begin and what is the history of insect breeding in this location?

The production of insect burgers begins in the Dutch town of Alkmaar, where insects have been bred for about forty years, mainly as animal feed and for the cosmetics industry.

Who is Nicol Ruud and what is his role in the insect burger production?

Nicol Ruud is the plant manager of Proti'farm, and he performs regular checks on the quality of the worms used in the insect burgers.

How many people eat insects daily worldwide, and what is the current perception of insect consumption in Europe?

Around two billion people around the world eat insects daily, but it is still considered a big taboo in Europe.

What is Nicol Ruud's prediction for the future of insect consumption in Europe?

Nicol Ruud predicts that within five years, it will be quite normal to eat insects, and they will be an ingredient in a lot of food products.

What are the environmental benefits of using insects as a food source?

Insects are a sustainable source of energy containing 50% protein, requiring only a fraction of the space, water, and feed that breeding higher orders of animals requires, and their CO2 emissions are minimal.

Who are the founders of Buck's burger and what is their background?

Max Kramer and Bearish Ersal are the founders of Buck's burger. They started their company, Bug Foundation, in 2014 with 10,000 euros in start-up capital.

How did the founders of Buck's burger come up with the idea for their business?

The founders first encountered edible insects during a world trip seven years ago, which inspired them to start their business.

What is the current legal status of selling insect-based food products in Germany, and what changes are expected in the future?

It is currently illegal to sell food products containing insects in Germany, but starting next year, selling insect food products will be legalized.

What is the price range of the Bucks burgers, and where can they be found on menus currently?

The exotic hamburgers cost between 12 and 17 euros, and they are currently available on the menus of a few restaurants in Belgium and the Netherlands.