Ants could add a delicious twist to popular dishes.
Ants add different flavours to dishes
Scientists have discovered that the insects have nutty, lemony and caramel aftertaste and could feature in some meals as alternative ingredients.
Common black ants have a sour flavour and could be ground and used as a replacement for lemon juice in some recipes.
Experts in California also discovered that weaver ants - which are found in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia - have a "nutty sweet and caramel-like" flavour due to the presence of organic compounds known as pyrazines and pyrroles.
It has been claimed that snacking on insects could be an eco-friendly source of protein for individuals looking to eat less meat because of the harmful impact it has on the planet.
Changqi Liu, who led the study for San Diego State University, said: "They can have very diverse and interesting flavour profiles, and that really increases the culinary possibilities of using these insects to create delicious food.
"I don't want people to feel that they are making a sacrifice by eating those insects. I want to show that they can actually taste very good, while being nutritious and good for the environment."