Jellyfish as sustainable food source: A cross-cultural study among Latin American countries

Abstract

Jellyfish consumption is popular in Asia but neglected in other continents, where their abundance could represent a sustainable food source. This study explored the potential of jellyfish as food in the Latin American population. Through an online survey that included questions about socio-demographics, personality traits, and acceptance of jellyfish as food, responses by 6,597 Latin Americans (55.9 % females; 18–90 years old) in nine countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay) were collected. Jellyfish consumption acceptance (JCA) was positively correlated with age, educational level, and income, and negatively correlated with food neophobia and sensitivity to disgust. Comparing the nine countries, significant differences were identified. The highest levels of JCA were found among Argentinians and Peruvians, while the lowest values were observed among Ecuadorians and Salvadorians. Based on the modality of consumption (visible appearance, ingredient role, cooking method, carrier flavour of the recipe), four groups of countries with similar acceptance were observed: 1) Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil; 2) El Salvador; 3) Chile and Uruguay; and 4) Ecuador. Moreover, differences in food pairing choices were highlighted among countries of the Northern hemisphere (El Salvador, Mexico, and Colombia), middle latitude (Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil) and the southernmost (Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile). In conclusion, this research contributes to the understanding of jellyfish as a sustainable food source in Latin America and provides useful insights for future market development and the adoption of tailored approaches to maximise the use and consumption of jellyfish across the region.