#ento fashion | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mod-sparky · 5 years

Text

Alters

summer- the host! thats me! (they/them/any) 21 (actual age)

judge- quiet, reserved. well spoken. (she/her) 21

Asher- the one that works our shifts, sad boi stoner, angel, fictive, tired all the time (he/him) whos counting?

Sparx- gatekeeper, energetic af!!!! fictive ready 2 friend (we think 20???) constant

Paige- creativity, artistic type with a bit of a short temper (she/her) 21

Wilbur- android fictive who isnt totally sure we’re human yet. very volatile if you piss him off (he/him) 25

Bailey- Asher’s daughter? small ginger girl (she/her) 11

Lightning- self defence, VERY standoffish, probably wont be friends with anyone (she/her) 25

Sugar- lust, literal succubus, very forward and confident (she/her but she sometimes changes) 25

Princess- a royal that the judge looks after 18

Wendy- adventurous. she wants to be a princess and also kill dragons (she/her) 17

Cyan- hallucinations, Wendy's housemate, very sweet if a little bit odd, wouldn't harm a fly and likes to be around Wendy mostly (she/her) 21/16 slider

Crona- anxious all the time, probably wont really talk much. (she/her) 19

Ragnarok- guardian, looks after Crona, quiet but friendly (he/him) 30

Aspie- shy but again friendly, tends to be rather awkward but they try (they/them) 18

Vinyl- very musical, will sing if asked or not, good luck if that happens (she/her) 19

Stien- sadism, dont worry she wont hurt a fly without permission and shes actually rather polite (she/her) 20

Berry- alcoholic, stoner, just reaaally dont like being sober. she's not around often (she/her) 21

Ento- not really sure what ento does or why hes here. but he's chill, really likes magic tricks and shows (he/him) constant

Para- paranoid af, scared of everything and everyone (she/her) 19

Gummi- hyperactive all the time, has the energy for life i wish i still had. loves a packet of haribo or any sweet treats rly (she/her) 20

Chell- stubborn and difficult to argue with, very talkative and never ever changes her mind on anything ever. if you agree with her you'll get along (she/her) 26

AMA- cannot lie, they really cant stand mistruths and will probably cry if you lie to them? other than that they're calm and collected (they/them) 22

kawaii- small and weeby, likes cute stuff and stims and stuff. speaks very little english (she/her) - 21

Cindy- FASHION IS HER PASSION. she loves talking about feminine stuff and dressing up (she/her) 20

Mac- a man of few words. typically masculine (he/him) 20

lexii- likes to document things and is usually very formal (she/her) constant

Fritz- loves video games, energetic and quick to shittalk (she/her/who cares) 21

Clockwork- friend. eager to meet new people and talk to anyone, ex judge (they/them) 21

Odette- submissive dog girl, more intelligent than puppy, can type/talk well (she/her) 21

Electra- maternal, looks after any children she can (she/her) 21

Angel- very into hugs and intimacy, not sexual just huggy she PROMISES (she/her) 21

Sweety- very kind, will listen to any problems and try to help as best she can, not sure if shes capable of getting angry (she/her) 21

Madotsuki- a fictive from Yume nikki dream diary, a video game, wont talk but she types. sleeps alot and has odd dreams, very lonely. (she/her/they/them) ???

???- isolation, never talks never seen

sirris- very OCD. obsessed with symmetry and numbers. her name is a palyndrome :D used to be death the kid. decided not to be male.

puppy- doggo fren very old but new to human lifestyle (she/her) 18

Wheatley- Fictive from Portal 2. trying his best to atone for his sins in that game, not sure if he understands it’s just a game? (he/him) idk how old is wheatley he doesnt know either

#actuallydissociative #alter list

4 notes · View notes

jrazillashadowworks · 6 years

Text

Snowflake: Chapter Three (Victubia Fan Fiction)

Read chapter 1 Read chapter 2

Words: 1235

I’m really enjoying this story so far! I hope that you are as well! No warnings! Enjoy!

Sergio’s finger shot out like a pistol to the wind mage who stiffened slightly. Instantly, he corrected his posture, a collected air emanating off of him. Smoothing out the fancy, silk hooded, white and mint green jacket he wore, his expression remained stoic.

“Liu Jinwu. Seventeen as well. As you have probably deduced by now, I am a wind magi. I live a very structured life and most of my time is spent studying or training. However, I do enjoy taking relaxing walks and swimming.” There was a proud shift to his posture. “My wish is to join the military and learn under the prestigious Royal strategist Channarong and hopefully one day surpass him as the new Royal strategist.”

Then he grew visibly apprehensive as if he was unsure whether to go on. After a couple of silent seconds, he nodded to himself lightly. “As for my most prized possession.” With great care, Jinwu reached into his bag slowly and procured a gold hinged, dark wood box. Eastern designs were cut into clouds all along its sides. A lacquered sheen flashed across the surface, coming to a sparkle as it lit up a small jade gem at its center.

Flake blinked, intrigued, though he tried to keep his demeanor from showing it. With deft fingertips, Jinwu raised the lid and tilted it every gently, even reverently to reveal its contents. Nestled perfectly within was an exquisite, white crane feathered fan fitted to a lavishly gilded handle. A sparkling jade oval center pieced the metal fringe that reached up into the feathers. It was impossibly beautiful. This was absolutely nothing Flake had ever seen before.

The others shared his enthusiasm, Sergio gawking stupidly while the metal magi held a hand under her chin, smirking. “This is a fan fashioned after the legendary Zhuge Liang’s from the time of the Three Kingdoms in China.” His tone practically radiated veneration now. Even though he no doubt knew that none of them actually knew what he was talking about, Jinwu continued. “His styled name Kongming, he was the most profound strategist of all time…In my opinion,” he added.

“So…what does it do?” Sergio managed to babble with a wide open mouth.

“I’m glad you asked,” he replied with pleasure. Excitement betrayed his cool disposition. Reaching inside, he lifted it and suddenly the jade oval glimmered to life like a light had been turned on within it. Once grasped, all around the fan, nearly invisible currents of pale green wind flowed in constant arcs. The air pressure intensified in the room, Flake feeling a slight tug towards the fan. It was indeed a gorgeous and otherworldly sight.

“It is a magic conduit that allows me to condense and focus my power into potent and measured attacks. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be wise to give you a demonstration in the dorm room. Maybe later, when we are outside.”

Placing it back, the air returned to normal, and the jade went dormant. “This item could be used to cause mass destruction,” he said tonelessly. A sudden tension wafted over them for a moment before Jinwu looked between them. “Oh, that’s right. It’s attuned to my specific pull of the element so no one else can use it like I do. I don’t plan to use it to that effect of course.”

He spoke as if they were supposed to instantly trust him. A glance at Sergio showed that he was wrestling with some powerful thoughts that were clearly winning. He almost appeared constipated. Then he gasped vehemently, startling everyone. “You are the one who kicked Quicksilvers ass last year!” Sergio burst out laughing, doubling over. Had he been trying to figure this out this whole time?

Jinwu was miffed, brows tugging together, shoulders drooping dejectedly. “Yes. I remember that…”

Sergio could barely speak through his guffaws. “He still goes on about that, wanting a rematch!”

“Not interested,” Jinwu snapped calmly yet sharply. “Let’s just move on. Who is next?”

Flake tensed up, knowing only the two remained. His eyes dropped as his ears exploded with his heartbeat. Fiddling with the inner turmoil, he made an audible sigh of relief when she actually responded.

“Anika Subira. I’m not going to indulge my age. As for my hobbies…” She grew playfully thoughtful, tilting her head side to side like a marionette on a string. It was rather adorable, her curls springing. Then she smiled dazzlingly. “Fine…well…Nah, never mind. I’m going to stick by my decision. And. You’ve already seen and heard my most prized possessions.”

Snapping her fingers rhythmically, the gauntlets that had been affixed to the bedposts sprung to life. Hovering, they waved, mimicking her motions before returning to their place. Then she threw her arms out and wriggled them like lashing serpents, creating a cacophony of tingling sound that pierced their eardrums. Flake’s brows pulled together.

“That’s all,” she concluded, returning to her comfortable position.

Subira’s introduction was hardly that compared to the others. Even so, none prodded her to reveal anything more. In addition, although it seemed unfair, one good thing to come of it was now Flake could do the same. And it was an absolute necessity, for when all eyes slid to him, he felt his entire being anvil to the floor.

The room shifted as the anxiety mounted, leaving him lightheaded. Hands quivering, his fingers kneaded the scarf around his neck as he tried to speak. What came out was unintelligible breaths and fractured words. “F..lake. F…F…ifteen…S-S-ar…f…”

Flake refused to look up, strained eyes boring into the floorboards where the lines in the wood appeared to be moving. An agonizing silence fell over them, Flake sinking more and more into oblivion. Though he did not realize, it was only quiet for a couple of seconds before an angelic voice broke through. It was Subira’s, reaching down to pull him up from the depths. “Nice to meet you, Flake. It’s a lovely scarf.”

The others followed her example. “Flake is quite the artistic name,” Jinwu mused.

“I’ve heard of you,” Sergio elated. He was going to continue but was silenced by. Looks from both Subira and Jinwu silently suggesting to end this quick to spare Flake further. Luckily, he took the hint.

Flake did not respond but gave the slightest of nods, still steamrolled by the smothering angst. Sergio stammered. “Well! It’s nice to meet you all! I look forward to spending the year with each of you and hopefully learning more!” It was obvious that by that he meant mostly Subira. Then, peering at his shoddy watch, his stomach growled audibly. “I have an idea! How about we all go get something to eat. Nothing brings people closer together than food!”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” Jinwu said rather suspiciously, seemingly surprised by Sergio’s ability to come up with such a suggestion.

“I’m up for that,” Subira chimed. “You can all be my entourage.”

“Ento..what?” Sergio snorted ridiculously.

“Means we can be her lackeys,” Jinwu stated dryly.

Subira did some jazz hands, jingling. “Glamorous.”

Flake broke in quietly, sullying the mood. “Not hungry.” Without another word, he laid back down and turned away, curling up. He listened as the others got up.

“Only if you are sure…”

It was obvious that this wasn’t up for debate so the trio left the boy alone with short parting words. Once the door closed, Flakes stomach growled lightly.

#Victubia #fan fiction #my writing #Victubia forever

5 notes · View notes

wozhende18 · 3 years

Text

with surgical slashes

Tiffany jewelry Then with assurance, air max only jordans to ghd hair confirm cheap jordans himself, wedding dresses uk he mont blanc zapatillas estilo valentino tilted ferragamo belts back uggs his kate spade outlet online head lancel pas cher and took in nike free run pas cher the michael kors outlet online halo ray ban outlet of true religion outlet faces thomas sabo uk around north face jackets him coach factory with one replica rolex long, circling beats by dre stare. New balance shoes There burberry outlet was nike roshe a half filled polo lacoste pas cher sack air max of abercrombie and fitch guano barbour on the celine bags left side burberry of the store, canada goose uk and michael kors outlet online sale when he had nike air max uk found polo ralph lauren uk his jordan 5 bearings polo ralph lauren outlet in burberry outlet this way, ugg boots clearance the hunchback sat moncler outlet down nike gioco cubo di rubik amazon air max upon coach outlet it. For it ugg boots was sunglasses outlet the nike air max snuffbox mulberry bags which had oakley belonged nike roshe to converse Miss cheap oakley sunglasses Amelia father. Over in Bangkok, St. Martin's and London College of Fashion alumnus Vatanika Patamasingh wows with her standout collection of thoroughly modern, nike delta force ár feminine clothing in a bold palette of block colours and striking prints. With ranges sold in Paris and worn by the likes of British model Cara Delevingne, Vatanika is one of the few Thai designers to make it onto the international runway.. Photos: NYFW Week celebrity sightings The look: Fierce but controlled. Leather is already everywhere for fall, but Wang gave it a new lease on life for spring. It was all about boxy silhouettes with surgical slashes revealing the body and bringing to mind animal markings.. This Jamaican sprinter and a five time зимни обувки adidas 2016 World and three time Olympic gold medalist is obviously a guy who lives up to his name. Securing the 200 meter gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships made him the competition's youngest ever gold medalist at the time and he doesn't show any signs of slowing down with age. His youthful attitude (as well as national pride) is clear in the colors he sports here. The web szemüveg csúszásgátló site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor for further information see our Terms and conditions.NetDoctor is a publication of Hearst Magazines UK which is the trading name of The National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. A further neve e sale amazon clear new release of the common nike free run is actually introduced that time. Made up of their unsecured personal merged content higher including things like suede, household leather along with mesh the actual distinct overlays on the element are rendered within the heavenly develop, even though subtle accents of newborn orange beautify the tongue and little embroidered Swoosh logo within the aspect from the heel. Many slumbering on a complementing single product featuring a seen atmosphere bubble cizme vara cu toc element, acquire that couple at pick Nike merchants foreign now, while a new stateside release is actually upcoming. THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY AND FIRE MISSILES IN COMBATWOMEN WERE AT THE CONTROLS OF SOME OF THE WARPLANES THAT ATTACKED IRAQ DURING "OPERATION DESERT FOX." PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY IT APPEARS TO BE THE FIRST TIME U S WOMEN HAVE FIRED MISSILES AND DROPPED BOMBS IN COMBAT. V O A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, BOTH PILOTS AND GENERALS GREETED THIS BIT OF MILITARY HISTORY WITH A SHRUGREPORTS FROM THE CARRIER U S S ENTERPRISE SAY F 18 PILOT KENDRA WILLIAMS, A LIEUTENANT, WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY AND FIRE MISSILES IN COMBAT. OFFICIALS SAY LT. A meu pai me disse: "Por que voc no nos ajuda na Ralph Lauren?" Eu no estava interessado, mas conversamos sobre como a empresa poderia desenvolver revistas e websites. Me juntei ento Ralph Lauren, achando que ia ficar um ano. J estou h 16. Roc Marcy isn new to this. Or U Out in 2004. But last year Marcberg heralded the arrival of a bona fide nike air max 102 essential white solo artist. dolce gabanna adidași bărbații The houses in these estates could be rented out to suitable low income tenants. If after some years they have demonstrated their ability to meet the rental payments, they could be invited to purchase the houses with the rental payments they have made to date being consolidated as the deposit on the house. This nike sb prod x is not anew idea and has been done in individual cases in the past.. Somebody like Sen. Dan Coats (R Ind.) could sport Day Glo black and yellow windbreakers from the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville; Rep. Pat Schroeder (D Colo.) a turquoise blouse from Celestial Seasonings; Michael Flanagan, the no name conquerer of Dan Rostenkowski, would have baseball caps from the Billy Goat Tavern, Carlucci or Lincoln Park Zoo; while South Side congressman Bobby Rush would be official congressional spokesperson for Chicago's "urban contemporary" radio ratings leader, WGCI FM.. 12, will start tonight. Blazers captain Chase Schaber has seven points, five of them goals, over his last four games. Kamloops LW Tim Bozon, a Swiss freshman, has 21 points, including 10 goals, in 21 games. Ralph Lauren is a major player in the apparel sector, with a strong stable of brands that include Polo, Chaps, and Club Monaco. The company has anecdotally taken advantage of consistent and growing popularity for its collection of brands around the world, which has allowed it to post a favorable level of operating profitability over the past five fiscal years, with an average adjusted operating margin of 15.4%. Not surprisingly, Ralph Lauren also enjoyed solid operating cash flow during that time period, fueling a multi year push into the retail arena that has helped to keep its sales on an upward trajectory..

1 note · View note

creationtherpg · 6 years

Text

[not for use in DnD, or any game outside of the Creation TTRPG] Short version of the Demon species guide. A more in depth version will come out eventually, and will likely be 50-100~ pages long, going into history, fashion, culture, sex, gender, and other aspects of the Demon species.

Demons are a fairly new race of creatures that were originally created by a council of the gods from a series of dolls in an attempt to aid the other species into being peaceful with one another and to help destroy social barriers that were hurting them. Their strange and off putting appearance as well as moral alignment was caused by the goddess Chale in an accident during the creation process. Movement; 35ft lateral, 5ft vertical.

Age and Culture: Demons are effectively immortal, similar to jellyfish, unless they are sick or injured. In Demon culture, healthy levels of hedonism are encouraged, and there are far fewer social taboos.

Appearance: Their feet and hands graduate from pure black to the color of the rest of their body, similar to Titans, but as opposed to a smooth gradient, like titans, they are more branch like. Their lips, bones, and teeth are also black. Their eyes have an inner glow, and some of them have slitted pupils. Demons tend to be physically appealing by human standards, and come in every shape and size. Their skin color varies as much as humans, elves, and other species, with some rare cases of blue or red being recorded. Demons also have long, sharp nails.

Claw Thingies: Demon’s nails work as natural weapons, but they aren’t as strong as Avia nails, dealing only 3d2 slashing damage in comparison. They are also twice as strong as regular nails.

Physical Appeal: Demons are considered quite attractive by human standards, and as such, have a +3 to charm when dealing with humans or those with similar standards to them.

Magical Beings: Demons are inherently magical beings, and as such, have 3 simple magical ability they can inherently do, or one complex magical ability, in addition to the Dissapate or any abilities they have from their subclass (if applied).

Sight: Your sight is (movement + plus half your observant skill = sight range)

Rest: You can take a snooze (2-4 hours) or a nights sleep (6-9 hours).

Morality: Demons tend towards the Individualist row.

Names: Cyil, Kyain, Roltez, Rapart, Lolin, Lech, Tagh, Ento, Teonto, Tanfi, Lani, Brorri, Nersos, Otra, Duli, Sajle, Udra, Deja, Acatia, Galei, Chediah

Languages: Demonic, Europanto.

Rations: A Demon meal consists of 2 slices of bread, a half a smoked fish or a leg of smoked meat, a flask of blackcurrant wine, a small box of soft spiced cheese, and a small pouch of preserved vegetables (usually asparagus and parsnips). A Demon’s day’s rations consist of 4 slices of bread, a smoked fish or two legs of smoked meat, a flask of blackcurrant wine, a box of soft spiced cheese, a pouch of preserved vegetables (usually asparagus and parsnips), 4 honey saffron hard candies, a bar of dark chocolate or a small pouch of candied flowers, 3 steamed rice and mushroom stuffed grape leaves, and a small bag of flame berries.

Subtypes

Succubi/Incubi/Concubi

Demons of this subrace are associtated with sex, and can drain energy (roll a d20 to see how much) or put others under their power with a kiss or other similar action if they choose on a successful Charm roll. The victim can contest this with an Instinct roll, but thay have disadvantage if they want to kiss them. They prefer to avoid battle, and have a -3 to Prowess.

Seeker

Seeker Demons are particularly good at finding people and objects. They have an innate use of the Enhanced Sense ability, and can pick one type of Sense they have advantage in at all times. They also have innate use of the Tracker Enchantment ability (roll a d20 to see how precise the enchantment is), and if given a possession of another being can track them down.

Emotion

Emotion Demons are tied to a particular emotion, and have the ability to inspire that emotion in others on a Charm or Instinct roll of 14 or more, and are often prone to that emotion themselves. They have a -2 to Instinct. An Emotion Demon cannot inspire an emotion in another Emotion Demon no matter what.

Imp

Imps are tricksters, and the least judged by soceity for their playful and generally harmless nature. They have innate use of the Illusion and Warp abilities, and can shift their shape to that of a child.

Dissolved

Dissolved Demons are demons that have been mentally broken into semi gaseous or powdered forms that are not fully sentient. Powdered Dissolveds will become a solid or semi solid form resembling an animal once placed in water and fed a small magic item or when hit with a simple magic ability. This Dissolved will retain the characteristics of the object or ability used on it, and will construct itself around this form in a manner that keeps this object or ability the most useful. All Dissolveds keep some of their abilities before they were Dissolved.

If one touches a Powdered Dissolved before it has consumed this magic and after it has been placed in water, it will leave a severe burn on the skin that is infected with a festering and puffy black and red mass that destroys the cells and causes constant bleeding from the burn until it is healed. This infection will stay long after the burn is healed, unless purified by a Devotee or Mage in the right path, or until surgically removed. The latter is not preferred, as this involves removing large amounts of tissue that will never grow back.

Half Demon

Half demons share the Claw Thingies trait, and can be Dissolved (partiallly). Their rations are a mix of their two halves.

#demon #fantasy #ttrpg #tabletop role playing game #solarpunk

3 notes · View notes

its-lifestyle · 5 years

Link

Somewhere in Ara Damansara, the basement and ground floor of a three-storey shoplot bustles with energy and activity – this is after all the home of 20kg of live crickets.

These spindly bugs, found in gardens and fields everywhere – will live for six to eight weeks in the shoplot, before reaching their final destination – the palates of discerning Malaysian consumers eager to embrace a more planet-friendly source of protein.

The project is the brainchild of a Malaysian start-up company called Ento, founded by 26-year-old lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Kevin Wu Khai Woon.

Although it is still in its infancy, the enterprise is a timely one that is answering the resounding clarion call of sustainable agriculture.

Why eat bugs?

Entomophagy (the consumption of insects) has been around for centuries. According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation in its paper ‘Future prospects for food and food security’, there are at least 1,900 edible insects and approximately two billion people around the world who eat these creepy crawlies as part of their traditional diets.

People have been eating insects for centuries now.

This is exemplified by people in Thailand who eat deep-fried crispy beetles and locusts as street food and rural denizens in Borneo who munch on grasshoppers, cicadas and termites.

But it is only in recent years that insects have been touted as the food of the future, in line with growing concerns about the swelling global population.

By 2050, the human population is expected to be nine billion. In order to feed all these hungry mouths, current food production will need to double. Given that overfishing is rampant and 70% of agricultural land is used to breed livestock, a more planet-friendly solution is required, and all the signs are pointing towards insects.

Insects reputedly emit fewer greenhouse gases and require half as much food as chicken and pigs as well as significantly less land for rearing. Then there are the health benefits associated with insects – many of which are protein-rich and high in calcium, iron and zinc.

Edible insects have also become fashionable – Justin Timberlake served ants coated in black garlic at his 2018 album launch party while Angelina Jolie was seen frying up a meal of scorpions and other bugs in a BBC News video.

Crickets galore

For all these reasons and so many more, Wu was propelled to start Ento. “I came across an article about edible insects and was really fascinated by the idea of crickets for human consumption. As I did more research, I found out that crickets and other insects have a very good value proposition for the future,” he explains.

So with some money from his family, Wu rented a shoplot (he went to 20 different places before finding the right one), bought some crickets from a supplier who typically supplies to pet shops and with help from an experienced farm manager, started breeding the insects with the idea of turning them into snacks.

Ento crickets are kept in sanitised pens before being frozen and slow-roasted. Photo: Ento

Although Wu and his team now have their “recipe” down pat, he says getting the temperature, feed and other elements of cricket-breeding correct initially proved to be quite a challenge.

“It’s quite technical, there’s no blueprint on how to farm insects, because right now Malaysia lacks the expertise of having people working this field,” he says.

Consequently, it took Wu and his team about six months to perfect the means and methods of processing their crickets.

Ento crickets are housed in sanitised pens and fed commercial chicken feed, which is composed of corn, soybean and wheat. Once the crickets mature, their frass (poop) and other impurities are separated, and they are then placed in a deep-freezer for 12 hours, which is the most humane way of killing them.

“When we freeze them, they actually go into a really deep sleep, so it’s a bit like when they are in the wild and hibernate. We freeze them for at least 12 hours so they just sleep and don’t wake up again,” says Wu.

Wu started Ento because he has a passion for sustainability and believes in the future of insects as food.

After this, the crickets are slow-roasted at temperatures ranging between 140ºC to 160ºC for at least three hours until 80% of the moisture evaporates – this also effectively kills bacteria while preserving the insects’ nutritional value. Samples are then sent to a lab for lab testing, before being packed.

Wu says farming the crickets has proven very sustainable, as according to their data, crickets require 12 times less feed, 15 times less water and 14 times less land than conventional livestock farming.

“I’m very passionate about sustainability. As a millennial, I feel that it’s part of our DNA to want to see change and a better future. So we are trying to get people to think about how they define food and expand their horizons to see food and sustainability as something that is important,” he says.

Interestingly, Wu says Malaysia is the ideal breeding ground for crickets, because the insects actually thrive in heat and humidity.

“Malaysia has a competitive advantage, because the warm and humid climate is suitable for crickets, whereas our Canadian and American competitors have to pay for high heating costs. But for us, we can farm it locally at a lower cost and use our natural environment to our advantage,” he says.

The taste test

At the moment, Ento produces both cricket powder (priced at RM29.90 for 100g) as well as a range of whole roasted crickets in flavours like Korean kimchi, salted egg yolk and Texas barbecue, priced at RM19.90 for a 25g pack.

Each packet of roasted crickets is rich in protein – up to 60g of protein per 100g, which is much higher than the protein content of lean beef and chicken, which both clock in at under 40g. Data also shows that crickets contain 15% more iron than spinach and far more fibre than oatmeal.

“Those are some of the stats that people really like especially in a society where we are more health-conscious,” notes Wu.

Ento now makes a range of flavoured whole roasted crickets as well as cricket powder, all processed from local crickets.

Wu has tested his products at local artisanal bazaars like Riuh and says response has been better than expected, which shows that deep-rooted local squeamishness about eating insects might be – slowly – changing after all.

“Out of 10 people that you give crickets to, probably about two or three will not try it. Of the seven, there will be at least one or two who love our mission, vision and what we do. So at the moment, it’s still a fairly niche market, but I think, as with anything, over time, people’s perception will change,” he offers pragmatically.

Taste-wise, the crickets bear a passing similarity to fried ikan bilis and are crunchy, with a texture that dissolves easily on the palate. Of the flavouring agents, the salted egg yolk does the best job of adding a salty underbelly to the snack, while the Korean kimchi is the snack to order if you’re after more fiery critters.

The only downside to eating the crickets is you might find shrapnel in the form of disengaged legs, wings and other body parts getting trapped in the crevices between your teeth. So be forearmed with a glass of water to swill your mouth out after feasting on these little bugs.

Buzzing future

Although Ento has only been in business for a few months, demand has been overwhelming. Wu’s team is operating on a backlog of orders and they are already looking at expanding.

“We produce about 20kg per month, which isn’t very much but we are projected to double or triple that within the next two or three months. And demand has been very good, because everything that we grow, sells,” notes Wu.

Eventually, Wu is looking at moving the business to a one-acre facility to expand output to 2.5 tonnes, a move that he hopes will propel them into the competitive international business-to-business market.

“We’re trying to compete with major players in Canada and America and I think we have an advantage, because our prices are 20% to 30% lower than others,” he says.

In the future, Wu is hoping to feed the crickets locally-grown mulberry leaves, which will lower costs as well as make the brand even more environmentally-friendly. There are also plans to introduce mealworms and silkworms to Ento’s insect stable.

“This will happen when we have the scale and our own land, and are able to work on different methods. Then we’ll take it a step further and supply to international markets,” says Wu.

from Food – Star2.com http://bit.ly/2ULafxg

#Blogger

0 notes