Hormiga - Culona

The roasting process transforms the insect. The result is a crunchy, nutty treat. The taste is often compared to that of roasted peanuts or popcorn, with a savory, earthy aftertaste. In the streets of Santander cities like Barichara and Bucaramanga, they are sold by the bag, ready to be eaten as a snack, much like peanuts at a baseball game.

: The outer shell becomes crunchy when roasted, while the interior remains soft and rich.

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

Hormiga culona (queen) is highly nutritious. Values per 100 g of dried ant (approximate, based on several studies on Atta species):