Fried Crickets of Phayao
           We will bring you to see the fried crickets near the lake of Kwan Phayao, mostly every Friday and Saturday around 5pm-10pm. This market is selling every things ,food, handicrafts, households products, clothing, including the fried crickets.

 

Male cricket.	Male cricket.
	Male cricket.

       &nbsCricket is another kind of insects, but it can make a sharp sound to signal the opposite sex for mating. They can be found in all parts of Thailand, their food are plants available to them.

Bunch of crickets.	Bunch of crickets.
Ready for the market.	Cricket in hand.

         There are many kinds of crickets with difference character and behavior. We can determine the color and the sound of them. Not so long ago, people started to consume cricket as the source of protein. It is hard to find cricket in winter time, and that is the beginning of farming the cricket.

         There are 5 kinds of crickets in Thailand, they have difference name as : Black cricket, Copper, Small, Copper stripe, and the biggest size is around 3.5cm. and 1cm. in diameter with dark brown color and digging holes underground.

Choosing.	Fresh and ready.
Plenty of crickets.	Ready to cook.
Deep fried.	Deep fried.

          Life cycle of cricket started as the egg the size of rice grain, and turns yellow and darker until become crickets. The process takes around 2 weeks, and around 3 weeks in winter. The young cricket look beige and turns darker, until full mature at around 40-45 days. The full grown crickets turn dark color around 45 days and this is the best time for deep fried crickets

         When it reaches full mature age, the male would make sound to attract attention of female. When the female came closer, the male would ride on the back of female and starting the mating procedure.

1st step.	2nd steps.
Adding flavor.	Still in the pan.
	Good looking.

         Around 10 days after mating, female would make sounds indicating the pregnancy. Then female would lay eggs in the small hole at around 1,000-1,200 eggs. After laying eggs the mother will die by life cycle.
         

  Cricket farm consisting of a small hole in the ground, the can, or the container, cover the upper part to prevent the cricket from jumping out, and keeps the enemy from getting in to damage the goods.

Showing.	Temporary nest.
In the pot.	In the pan.

          They use the dry grass as the cushion at the bottom of the container for the crickets. The eggs tray container, or wooden container can be used as the nesting farm. Giving water container and food for the cricket.

           The vendor use the full mature crickets at around 45 days old. Clean them by washing in the basket and air dry, then pour the bucket in the hot oil, cook for 3-4 minutes. Put the crispy crickets in the pan and add ingredient to full flavor. Ready for the waiting customers, and the whole tray is gone in less than 5 minutes .

	In the bag.
This is it.	The vendor.

          The cricket taste crispy and delicious, the price is inexpensive at 10 baht for a cup. They sell in the evening at the walking street on Friday and Saturday near Kwan Phayao.

Do you know the difference between male and female crickets?       Male cricket has the wavy upper wings making sound by rubbing the wings together. Female had smooth wings rubbing to make noise, it has a needle organ 1.5 cm. length for laying eggs in the hole. Both of them rock their bodies when rubbing the wings to make sound..

Cooking in the pan.	3rd step of frying.
Cleansing.	ทุกอย่างพร้อมเริ่มปฎิบัติการ
ร้อนและหอมได้ใจมากๆ	Almost done.
Look before buying.	Crickets.
In the pot.	Walking street Payao.
Walking street at night.	Shopping.