The new soups are infused with high-concentrate protein extracted from mealworms, the larval form of the darkling beetle. Mealworms are widely considered nutritious insects that contain high levels of protein and low calories.

“We selected mealworms over other insects, given their superior protein levels and taste, not to mention the positive visual effect when mixed into the soup,” Woo Sang-hwan, general manager of sales at Jeong Poong told The Korea Herald.

The Daesang affiliate plans to test launch three flavors — mushroom, squash and sweet potato — at this year’s Seoul Urban Agriculture Expo which will be held at the Children’s Grand Park in Seoul from May 19-22.

In September, the firm will officially introduce the soups to the market with wider flavor options, becoming the first homegrown food company to commercialize edible “insect food” in Korea. One 150-gram soup package will likely cost around 2,000 won ($1.80), Jeong Poong said.

Though excited about the upcoming new product, the firm stressed it wants to retain its brand image as a reputable maker of home meal replacement foods, retort foods and sauces.

“We won’t be marking the mealworm soup as ‘insect soups,’” Woo said.

Jeong Poong worked together with the Korean Edible Insect Laboratory, which specializes in edible insect research and product development, to develop the mealworm soups.

The two sealed a partnership last December for developing a new protein source based on edible insects and to launch products utilizing such proteins

Korea has recently been exploring the culinary possibilities of insects, with the government supporting the expansion of the local edible insect market. In April, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs rolled out a set of legal support measures to increase the size of the nation’s insect market to 500 billion won by 2020, from 303 billion won in 2015.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)