Hormiga Culona [work] | TESTED — 2025 |

The harvest is a seasonal event deeply tied to the Colombian climate.

Local collectors, known as hormigueros , wait for this moment with anticipation. The harvest is a community activity, often involving entire families. They catch the queens just as they leave the nests, before their wings dry and they fly away. This practice is not just about food; it is a sustainable practice that has been passed down through generations, often providing a significant source of income for rural farmers.

La hormiga culona es más que un simple insecto; es un símbolo de la rica biodiversidad de Colombia y de la creatividad y resistencia de su gente. A través de la conservación de esta tradición, no solo preservamos un aspecto importante de la cultura colombiana, sino que también contribuimos a la conservación de la Amazonía y sus secretos aún no descubiertos. Invitamos a todos a descubrir y apreciar esta joya gastronómica, respetando siempre su hábitat y asegurando su disponibilidad para las generaciones futuras. hormiga culona

: Collection occurs during the nuptial flights , typically between late March and June , triggered by the onset of the rainy season.

Contains B-complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3), and small amounts of vitamin E. The harvest is a seasonal event deeply tied

Scientifically known as Atta laevigata , the Hormiga Culona is a species of leafcutter ant. While most people are familiar with these ants for their ability to strip vegetation and carry leaves many times their body weight, the Hormiga Culona is famous for something else: the queens.

Described as nutty, smoky, slightly acidic (due to formic acid, which evaporates with heat), reminiscent of roasted peanuts or bacon bits. They catch the queens just as they leave

Higher protein density than beef or chicken (fresh weight basis), and iron content comparable to or higher than red meat.