Toasted or fried, culona ants or chicatana ants are a type of insect found in Santander, Colombia, but they are enjoyed in several regions of the country and even exported. From a young age, children in the area are taught to gather, cook, and eat these ants, since there is a saying that goes, “either you eat the ants or the ants eat you.”
These are flying ants, usually seen during the rainy seasons, and they typically reach about one and a half centimeters in length. They have a smoky flavor, a crunchy texture, and it is said that they possess highly aphrodisiac properties, which is why they are often given as wedding gifts.
Before cooking them, it is recommended to remove the antennas, wings, and legs, since only the body of the insect is eaten. Among the benefits they provide, it is known that they have antibacterial properties, are good for fighting arthritis, help prevent bad cholesterol, and are a great source of proteins. Additionally, they contain very low levels of saturated fats.
Their price is not exactly economical. A kilogram of these ants can cost around 40 US dollars. This is mainly due to the difficulty of collecting them, as it is necessary to separate the virgin queen ants—which are the ones eaten—from the others, which are not suitable for consumption.
