**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.
5 Comments
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
We should be eating cricket flour. Not to tout anything Copilot ever says, but what it says about cricket flour is 100% true. And if we got over the "ick" factor, our carb-filled food would be a lot healthier.
No, you won't be picking legs out of your teeth.
TotalFat@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Oh I agree. I'm a big Texas BBQ loving guy, but I can see the writing on the wall. I just got a big kick out of the naming and the "cricket chunks" as being marketable to anyone remotely American. I believe they're already slipping cricket protein into products under a pseudonym like they did with cochineal.
As a species, we are going to have to feed ourselves more sustainably, or seriously reduce the population. I suspect our benevolent leaders are already working on a version the second option -- reduce the population of everyone else.
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
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.
TotalFat@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
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.
jordanlund@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
The happy meal toy makes itself: