Would you eat pizza made from insects? Zia Lucia is betting you would

Wait, let us rephrase that, because you're probably imagining something along the lines of a mush of creepy crawlies slathered atop your pie like some sort of nightmare ketchup, and you couldn't be farther from the truth actually. So – would you eat a pizza made with dough using cricket flour? 

Zia Lucia, the popular London-based pizza group that is known for offering patrons a choice of four signature doughs, is adding another branch to its empire – and another dough. The new Zia Lucia in West Hampstead will be introducing an insect-based dough, made from cricket flour. According to the company, the finely milled roasted crickets lend “a light and nutty flavour to the pizza”, and it will be exclusively available at the new branch for the time being. The new venue will also feature a dedicated bar serving the group's own beer, as well as outdoor seating.

We've seen a rise in insect-based dining in recent years, with proponents emphasising its environmental as well as health benefits, as insects such as crickets are high in protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals. You'll be able to try the potential future of food for yourself soon enough, with Zia Lucia's ninth branch in the capital opening on 20 June.