Ca cuong
Encyclopedia
Lethocerus indicus is a giant water bug
in the family Belostomatidae, native to Southeast Asia
. It was originally described as Belostoma indicum but is no longer placed in that genus. It is well-known as an edible species, with a number of different regional cuisines preparing it in different manners. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.
In Vietnam
The Vietnamese name for the insect and its extract is cà cuống. The insect's essence (a pheromone
produced by the male that attracts females) is harvested by collecting its liquid-producing sacs. That liquid is then placed in small glass containers. The insect is claimed to be scarce, and demand for the extract is high. Most of the cà cuống essence on the market is therefore imitation, with the actual essence fetching a high price.
Cà cuống is typically used sparsely and eaten with bánh cuốn (rice noodle rolls) by adding a drop to the nước chấm (dipping sauce).
It is also eaten in a soup dish called 'bún thang' adding a unique essence to the broth. The dish traditionally includes rice noodles, thinly sliced egg crepe, pork cold cuts, and other various additions in a chicken/dry squid broth. A tiny drop of the extract on the tip of a toothpick would suffice to flavor the whole bowl of soup. This dish originated in Northern Vietnam.
In the northeast region of Thailand
, eating insects is common. This species (known as malaeng da na; ) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried, and as an extract. Mang da is used to make Nam Phrik
Mang Da, a type of chili sauce used as a condiment.
region in the northern part (Luzon
) of the Philippines, where some insects like crickets, locusts, and beetles are eaten, the water bug (or "water beetle") is called alukap in Ilokano language
and is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the Visayas
region where it is called obus in the Visayan language.
has made several short works documenting cà cuống and its usages. In episode 5 of Underbelly titled "Ca Cuong City" he introduces a cocktail using the lethocerus esscence mixed in chilled vodka called the Ca Cuong Martini. At the end of the episode he attempts to get random Bronxites to try the beverage which is garnished with several giant water bugs.
muscles and the ease of dissection makes it a excellent model organism for muscle structure with special features pertinent to cardiac muscle
. The high degree of structural order makes is possible to obtain x-ray diffraction patterns richer and more detailed than those from vertebrate striated muscle
.
Giant water bug
Belostomatidae is a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, known as giant water bugs or colloquially as toe-biters, electric-light bugs and Alligator Ticks . They are the largest insects in the order Hemiptera, and occur worldwide, with most of the species in North America, South America,...
in the family Belostomatidae, native to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. It was originally described as Belostoma indicum but is no longer placed in that genus. It is well-known as an edible species, with a number of different regional cuisines preparing it in different manners. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.
In VietnamVietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese cuisine
The Vietnamese name for the insect and its extract is cà cuống. The insect's essence (a pheromonePheromone
A pheromone is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of the receiving individual...
produced by the male that attracts females) is harvested by collecting its liquid-producing sacs. That liquid is then placed in small glass containers. The insect is claimed to be scarce, and demand for the extract is high. Most of the cà cuống essence on the market is therefore imitation, with the actual essence fetching a high price.
Cà cuống is typically used sparsely and eaten with bánh cuốn (rice noodle rolls) by adding a drop to the nước chấm (dipping sauce).
It is also eaten in a soup dish called 'bún thang' adding a unique essence to the broth. The dish traditionally includes rice noodles, thinly sliced egg crepe, pork cold cuts, and other various additions in a chicken/dry squid broth. A tiny drop of the extract on the tip of a toothpick would suffice to flavor the whole bowl of soup. This dish originated in Northern Vietnam.
In Thai cuisine
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, eating insects is common. This species (known as malaeng da na; ) is a popular dish, eaten whole and fried, and as an extract. Mang da is used to make Nam Phrik
Nam phrik
Nam phrik , generally pronounced "Nam phik", is a generic term that may refer to any of the types of more or less thick spicy, often chili based, hot sauces typical of Thai cuisine. The main ingredients of Nam phrik are fresh or dry chilies, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, lime juice and/or some kind...
Mang Da, a type of chili sauce used as a condiment.
In Philippine cuisine
In the IlocosIlocos
Ilocos collectively refers to two provinces in the Philippines: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Inhabitants are called Ilocanos and they speak the language Iloko, also called Ilocano.The Ilocos Region, containing four provinces, is named after Ilocos...
region in the northern part (Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
) of the Philippines, where some insects like crickets, locusts, and beetles are eaten, the water bug (or "water beetle") is called alukap in Ilokano language
Ilokano language
Ilokano or Ilocano is the third most-spoken language of the Republic of the Philippines....
and is sauteed or fried in oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes, or roasted, after the wings and legs have been removed, and eaten as a viand for steamed rice or as a finger food with liquor. The same is done in the Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
region where it is called obus in the Visayan language.
Baron Ambrosia
Host of Underbelly NYC and Bronx Flavor, Baron AmbrosiaBaron ambrosia
Baron Ambrosia is the alter ego of Bronx-based underground filmmaker Justin Fornal. The character is a self-proclaimed "quaffer of culinary consciousness" and travels around New York City, mostly in The Bronx, documenting various ethnic cultures and their indigenous cuisines, represented typically...
has made several short works documenting cà cuống and its usages. In episode 5 of Underbelly titled "Ca Cuong City" he introduces a cocktail using the lethocerus esscence mixed in chilled vodka called the Ca Cuong Martini. At the end of the episode he attempts to get random Bronxites to try the beverage which is garnished with several giant water bugs.
Research
The large size of this insect and its flightInsect flight
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
muscles and the ease of dissection makes it a excellent model organism for muscle structure with special features pertinent to cardiac muscle
Cardiac muscle
Cardiac muscle is a type of involuntary striated muscle found in the walls and histologic foundation of the heart, specifically the myocardium. Cardiac muscle is one of three major types of muscle, the others being skeletal and smooth muscle...
. The high degree of structural order makes is possible to obtain x-ray diffraction patterns richer and more detailed than those from vertebrate striated muscle
Striated muscle
Striated muscle tissue is a form of fibers that are combined into parallel fibers. More specifically, it can refer to:* Cardiac muscle .* Skeletal muscle* Branchiomeric muscles...
.