"True Bug Flavoring Essence"

God bless Golden Pacific! Had to pick up a few things and, as always, the shelves there contain the most remarkable items. Today, I found True Bug Flavoring Essence.



What's even better is the ingredient list: it contains "Artificial True Bug Flavor." Of course, if you look closely, you'll see that the hexenyl acetate and hexenyl butyrate are "synthetic harmless solvents," too!



The owner was shocked when I showed up at the checkout counter with it. He told me how to use it (a couple drops in your chili sauce) and we discussed being open to new flavors. But I didn't really know what it was until I got home and looked it up on the internet. I even found a French-language site that insisted that this is the real secret behind a successful bowl of pho! "But what is it," you ask. I'm glad you asked.

"The Thai water bugs are about 3 inches long, and look much like a big big version of its North American buddy. The water bugs live in the rice fields and farmers catch them at night by using a light to lure the bugs into a net. The scent of the bug is important in Thai cuisine, especially in nam prig or chili sauce type of dishes. The wings and head are removed, and the rest of the body, including the legs, are eaten. Water bugs are very difficult to find at Oriental markets. So far, I can only locate them at a few markets in California. However, the artificial scent is a lot easier to find. It comes in a tiny jar with a dropper wrapped in a tiny box that says 'Mangdana essence'."

Hey, for 99 cents, why not try something new tonight?

What are you planning to do with it? Do keep us posted...

See also this postYawt Klin Maeng Daa Naa : Thai "Pimp Juice" [Pics]

I should have known I wouldn't be first here--even with this. If you're interested in this at all, by all means follow sazerac's link to Erik M's use and discussion as well.

Gypsy Boy wrote:Hey, for 99 cents, why not try something new tonight?

You will post on your experiment, yes?

Interesting list of ingredients. The contents list 90% solvent. Does it have a vaguely banana-ish fruity smell (may be masked by the artificial true bug smell)? If there is, please do be careful and wash up well after useage. Hexenyl acetate is not too far from and may possibly mimic (I don't know offhand) hexyl acetate, which is a component of bee alarm pheromone. see this link

HI,

Not only keep your hands clean, you want to avoid use of this stuff when going to the airport. Especially if explosive sniffing bees are utilized. Who knows your bug scented lhands might stimulate them into action! (Maybe not, but I love the thought!)

Regards,

sazerac wrote:Does it have a vaguely banana-ish fruity smell (may be masked by the artificial true bug smell)? If there is, please do be careful and wash up well after useage. Hexenyl acetate is not too far from and may possibly mimic (I don't know offhand) hexyl acetate, which is a component of bee alarm pheromone.

Great, really great, Das.

Yes, it does have a banana-y smell. (I didn't realize that isoamyl acetate and hexenyl acetate were so closely related! ) And now my plans to use it have to take a radical turn. Otherwise, it seems, my kitchen will risk becoming Bee Central, is that it? You had to tell me, didn't you?

Well, let's just say I'm torn now. I'd like to use it, but I don't want to turn me, my kitchen or, worst of all, my dinner, into a bee-attractant. Golly!

Gypsy Boy wrote:Yes, it does have a banana-y smell. (I didn't realize that isoamyl acetate and hexenyl acetate were so closely related! )

Hmm, isoamyl acetate (aka isopentyl acetate) is also part of the alarm pheromone cocktail (Click 'alarm pheromone' in the earlier link for structures) along with hexyl acetate. Hexenyl acetate which is what you have is similar (without going into additional detail).Also,
I'm thinking that these aren't the 'solvents' but part of the 'flavor' and the solvent isn't listed. Is this 'essence' somewhat oily and viscous?

Gypsy Boy wrote:Well, let's just say I'm torn now. I'd like to use it, but I don't want to turn me, my kitchen or, worst of all, my dinner, into a bee-attractant. Golly!

Hope I get this in before dinner - don't be afraid. This is only one component of a cocktail and you are only using a small amount and unless you are doing it under the noses of a bunch of bees you should be okay. Overripe bananas contain some, so there's not that much greater danger than that.*
Besides, you've opened the bottle already


Oh, and nice pics! Take some at dinner

*See also Wikipedia entry for isoamyl acetate

edited to clarify and also to add further encouragement:Don't bee turned off...

Gypsy Boy wrote:I didn't realize that isoamyl acetate and hexenyl acetate were so closely related!

And you call yourself a man.

stevez wrote:

Gypsy Boy wrote:I didn't realize that isoamyl acetate and hexenyl acetate were so closely related!

And you call yourself a man.

No, he calls himself a Boy.

Always try to find true Mangdana. The essence is okay, but nothing beats using the real thing. They may seem intimidating, and look rather nasty, however, if they are simply boiled in a stock and served with a simple chili sauce, they are great! They have the aroma of chocolate!