Jellyfish chips might be the most bizarre snack you will ever have

• Jellyfish actually thrive in the sea conditions caused by global warming, that is, hotter ocean temperatures.
• A Danish team of researchers have figured out a way to convert the creature’s soft rubbery tentacles to crunchy goodies.
• A plateful of jellyfish is also quite good for health - they are low in calories and barely have any fat and are packed with nutrients like vitamin B12, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and selenium.
  

Scientists believe they have found an ecologically viable way to satiate those nasty munchies, and the answer is, brace yourself, drumroll - Jellyfish chips! Now, wipe that frown off your face. Admittedly, this is slightly offbeat but taking into account that the world’s food resources are fast depleting, it would perhaps be best to get accustomed to things that are not quite usual.

Why jellyfish you ask? Well, these creatures have an uncanny knack of managing to stay alive and multiply rapidly despite changing climatic conditions. In fact, these sea creatures actually thrive in the sea conditions caused by global warming, that is, hotter ocean temperatures. Other types of fish, however, aren’t so lucky and are fast dying out making room for even more jellyfish.

Non-poisonous, edible versions of these creatures are an Asian delicacy that is often marinated in salt and potassium alum for several weeks to make them more into a palatable pickle of sorts. However, in a bid to bring this creature to the mainstream food pyramid, a Danish team of researchers have figured out a way to convert the creature’s soft rubbery tentacles to crunchy goodies much faster.

In a press release, Mathias P. Clausen, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark, said, “Using ethanol, we have created jellyfish chips that have a crispy texture and could be of potential gastronomic interest.” They presented this study at the 62nd Biophysical Society Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California on 17-21 February.

And for all you healthy eaters, for whom nutritional value and calorie count trumps all other aspects of the item, a plateful of jellyfish is happily also quite good for health - constituting about 5% protein and 95% water, they are low in calories and barely have any fat. They are also rich in vitamin B12, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and selenium.

So, perhaps it is time to shed inhibitions and embrace this gooey umbrella-shaped aquatic creatures as part of our daily cuisine. In a few years, you may not have a choice but to.