Escamoles
Mexico's buttery ant-larvae caviar
Think of it as: Like buttery pine nuts that pop
Ant larvae that taste like butter. Seriously.
What does it taste like?
Rich, buttery and nutty, with a delicate pop and a soft, creamy inside.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTexturePoppy and creamy
What is it?
Ant larvae and pupae harvested from nests at the roots of agave plants, sautéed in butter with onion. Called "insect caviar," they're a pricey delicacy available only for a short window in spring.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Eaten in tacos or omelets at restaurants in Mexico City and beyond — a springtime seasonal treat.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇲🇽Mexico
CapitalMexico City
Populationabout 133 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCar manufacturing, Oil, Tourism, Avocados
Common surnamesHernández, García, MartínezFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
Famous peopleFrida KahloPainter famous for self-portraits with her joined eyebrows
HelloHola
CurrencyPeso
And JapanMany of the avocados eaten in Japan come from Mexico
Fun factCorn, chili peppers and chocolate (cacao) all originally come from around Mexico
The flag🇲🇽 The eagle on a cactus with a snake in its beak shows the legend of how the Aztec capital was founded.
From Tokyoabout 11,310 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Mexico City
Getting thereabout 13 hours from Tokyo (direct to Mexico City)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from November to April is best. Also tryTacosMolePozole More from here🦗 Chapulines🌽 Huitlacoche
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from November to April is best. Also tryTacosMolePozole More from here🦗 Chapulines🌽 Huitlacoche
🇲🇽 Sounds & life in Mexico
HolaHello（Hola）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"Mexican National Anthem" (Himno Nacional Mexicano)
MusicMariachi A lively band of violins and trumpets
SportSoccer
Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez (boxing; world champion in four weight classes) World HeritagePre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan and more National animalGolden eagle National flowerDahlia FestivalDay of the Dead (November 1-2)
MusicMariachi A lively band of violins and trumpets
SportSoccer
Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez (boxing; world champion in four weight classes) World HeritagePre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan and more National animalGolden eagle National flowerDahlia FestivalDay of the Dead (November 1-2)
Ingredients
- Escamoles (ant larvae) 200 g
- Butter 2 tbsp
- Onion 1/4
- Green chili 1
- Epazote, a little
- Tortillas 4
- Salt, a pinch
How to make it (one way)
- Rinse the escamoles gently and pick out debris
- Sauté onion and chili in butter
- Add the escamoles and cook 2–3 minutes without crushing them
- Season with epazote and salt
- Spoon into warm tortillas as tacos
⚠️ Hard to find outside Mexico, expensive, and wild colonies are under pressure from over-harvesting.