Holiday Ayo - Sago worms are one of the original foods of Papua . This food is usually consumed by the Kamoro people who live in the southern coastal region of Papua, Mimika Regency , Central Papua. For those who are not used to it, of course it will look disgusting at first. Especially when you see the shape of the caterpillars gathered in one container and still moving around. Of course, this will make the hairs on the back of your neck tingle and even ring.

source: Tribunnews.com

But it turns out, this extreme food is rich in high protein and is suitable for diabetics. This food is low in fiber and can be eaten directly or alive or fried or skewered.  These sago caterpillars usually come from sago trees that are cut and left to rot. In Papuan culture, the sago worm is an important element in the Asmat tribe's celebratory rituals.

A food ritual is prepared by the Kamoro Tribe in naming their sons. This food ritual consists of a mixture of sago flour with certain types of snails or shellfish and sago worms wrapped in long packages of sago leaves. The research report states that the larvae of the red coconut beetle (Rhynchophorus ferrugenesis), which often lays eggs in the tops of sago trees, contain 9.34 percent protein or almost half of red meat, reaching more than 28 grams of protein per 100 grams of consumption.

Apart from that, this typical Papuan food also contains several essential amino acids, such as aspartic acid (1.84 percent), glutamic acid (2.72 percent), tyrosine (1.87 percent), lysine (1.97 percent) and methionine. (1.07 percent).

source: Travel - TEMPO.co

The taste of sago worms is said to be similar to the sensation of eating pieces of beef fat but with a stronger savory tinge. It is recommended to serve it grilled so that it tastes better in the mouth. The price of sago worms at a number of culinary locations in Papua is priced at IDR 45,000 to IDR 50,000 per 25 heads. That's the extreme food of sago worms from Papua, dare you try it?