Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently revealed that she has tried mopane worms.
Image: X/@eatingcompeti
Travelling is not for the faint-hearted. It is for the brave palate. The ones who understand that authenticity does not come plated with chips and tomato sauce.
Sometimes it arrives crispy, slightly curled… and staring right back at you.
Just ask Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
During a cheeky round of bluffing on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the actress dropped a line that made the audience squirm.
Had she ever eaten worms?
“Well, I have eaten worms before. It’s a delicacy from Zimbabwe called mopane worms,” she said casually, as if she were discussing salted almonds.
She went on to explain that the worms are often made into a curry and served with white rice.
“They’re made in different ways, so I have tried them,” she added. And in case anyone thought she was joking? “If I went back to Zimbabwe. I would have it again.”
Fallon blinked. The audience gasped. And somewhere in Southern Africa, grandmothers nodded approvingly.
So what exactly are mopane worms? Despite the name, they are not worms at all but caterpillars of the emperor moth. They live on mopane trees across Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
Harvested by hand during the rainy season, they are cleaned, sometimes boiled in salted water, then dried or smoked to preserve them. What you get is a crunchy, protein-packed snack that has fed communities for centuries.
Preparation varies depending on where you are. In Zimbabwe, they are often rehydrated and simmered in tomato, onion and peanut butter sauce for a rich, savoury stew.
In parts of Botswana, they are fried until crisp and eaten as a snack, almost like biltong’s wilder cousin. Some cooks add chilli and garlic for heat.
Others keep it simple with salt and oil. However they are made, they are hearty, earthy and deeply rooted in local food culture.
Travellers are increasingly curious.
Food tourism has evolved beyond pretty brunch plates. Adventurous eaters actively seek out traditional dishes that tell a story.
Mopane worms have featured on global food shows, culinary tours and even fine dining menus experimenting with sustainable protein.
Because that is the bigger conversation. They are rich in protein, iron and other nutrients, making them not just cultural staples but environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional meat.
So yes, you may need courage. And possibly a glass of water or that 10-year brandy.
But as the actress proved, sometimes the most memorable bites are the ones that challenge you. Travelling is about stepping outside your comfort zone. Occasionally, that comfort zone has legs.