**Me **
Can you describe a potential new food item for a company like McDonald’s that uses insect-derived proteins and would be marketed to Americans
**Copilot **
Absolutely, I’d be happy to help brainstorm a new food item for a company like McDonald’s that incorporates insect-derived proteins. Given the increasing interest in sustainable and alternative proteins, I propose a new item called the “McCricket Protein Bowl”. Here’s a detailed description:
McCricket Protein Bowl
Ingredients:
Cricket Flour Tortilla: A soft tortilla made from cricket flour, which is high in protein and has a subtle, nutty flavor.
Black Beans: A hearty serving of black beans for added protein and fiber.
Grilled Vegetables: A mix of grilled bell peppers and onions for a smoky flavor and added nutrition.
Cricket Protein Chunks: Pieces of cricket protein that have been seasoned and cooked to perfection. They have a unique, savory flavor and a texture similar to grilled chicken.
Avocado and Corn Salsa: A fresh salsa made from ripe avocados and sweet corn. This adds a creamy texture and a sweet contrast to the other ingredients.
Chipotle Sauce: A smoky, spicy chipotle sauce that adds a kick to the bowl.
Unique Selling Points:
Sustainable: Cricket protein is a sustainable source of protein that requires less land, water, and food compared to traditional livestock.
High-Protein: This bowl is packed with protein from both the cricket flour tortilla and the cricket protein chunks.
Delicious: Despite using unconventional ingredients, this bowl is flavorful and satisfying, with a variety of textures and tastes that work well together.
This new food item could appeal to adventurous eaters, those interested in sustainable food sources, and health-conscious consumers looking for high-protein options. It’s a bold move that could put McDonald’s at the forefront of the alternative protein trend. However, it’s important to note that introducing insect-derived proteins to the American market would require careful marketing to overcome potential consumer hesitations.
I’ve actually eaten insects when it’s clear that they’re insects. I once even bought some from a Thai grocery and cooked them myself just to see if I could. I’m not a great cook, so it wasn’t exactly a meal with four Michelin stars, but most of it wasn’t too bad. The longicorn beetle larvae tasted nutty and the ants tasted citrusy (I assume because of the formic acid). I didn’t like the giant water bug though. It did look like a massive cockroach, which didn’t help, but it also had a sort of juniper/gin flavor and I don’t like that flavor.
I’ve also had Oaxacan Mexican crickets in chili and lime. They used to sell them on street stalls near Dodger Stadium when I lived in L.A. Pretty good.
What’s funny is that people who don’t blink an eye at eating shrimp, crab or lobster can’t handle the idea of eating arthropods.
The first question I proposed to Copilot was simply, “what new hit product can McDonald’s bring to market today?” The response was potentially more shocking than this one since I spec’d insect-derived proteins in the one I posted. The response was some sort of maximum vegan abomination McVegan with “cheese” or something. I’ve enjoyed some vegan patties before, but I draw the line at fake foods like vegan cheese. Also seemed dubious this new product heavily characterized as vegan even in the naming would be a hit product in America. I’d probably try one but I’m pretty open-minded.
I suspect the nationalities of the programmers at Microsoft might have a lot to do with all this vegan and insect protein business. When I worked there at the main Redmond campus, the programmers seemed to be about 40% Chinese, 40% Indian, 19% white, 1% other. These were almost entirely immigrants with many from rich families that were able to arrange dual nationalities for their kids. Not a criticism mind you – just an observation. Hate the game not the player.