Woman finds sesame seeds floating in her soup, but doesn’t remember using them — she checks her seasoning and freezes immediately
For one woman, a 40-minute dinner prep turned into a horror story after she realized her “seasoning” was actually moving. TikTok creator Jenn Nguyen (@jenn.when) shared a video that is currently sending home cooks everywhere sprinting to their spice racks to check for uninvited guests.
The creator explained that because her kitchen lighting was dim, she didn’t notice anything unusual until she took a closer look at her finished soup. What she initially thought were sesame seeds turned out to be a full-blown infestation. And she poured her spices into her hand to investigate. The discovery was stomach-turning for both her and viewers.
Jenn first thought there were sesame seeds in her soup
Jenn explained that when she finally sat to eat, the soup looked unusual. “I don’t remember like the seasoning or like the soup looking like that,” she said. “There’s like these little sesame seeds like looking thing and I’m like, I don’t remember that being in the seasoning that I used.”
Soon, she realized that those “sesame seeds” look like bugs. So, she took out a scoop of the seasoning she used and her nightmare turned real. There were actual bugs in the container. Jenn noted that there were no holes or gaps in the lids, leading her to wonder how the pests could have possibly breached her secure spice collection.
The breakdown of the situation came when she turned to the internet for answers and discovered the existence of “cigarette beetles.” These tiny pests don’t necessarily break into your house. Often, they are already there, tucked away as microscopic eggs during the manufacturing or packaging process.
For the creator, the realization was devastating: “I tasted my cooking,” she lamented after discovering she’d been sampling more than just paprika.
Are cigarette beetles toxic and how did they get into Jenn’s seasoning?
Cigarette beetles are small, reddish-brown insects that are notorious for infesting dry pantry goods. They are common pests in warehouses and homes. Chances are, there were cigarette beetle eggs in Jenn’s seasoning, too, when she bought it. And they later infested it due to lack of precaution.
But the good news is, their presence in your food is more of a psychological trauma than a medical emergency. Cigarette beetles are not known to be toxic to humans. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases that are harmful to people.
While the thought of accidentally eating one is enough to make anyone crash out, accidentally ingesting these beetles or their larvae is generally considered harmless. They do not produce any poisonous secretions, though they can certainly ruin the flavor and texture of your meal.
How to avoid an infestation in your seasoning containers
The most effective way to handle these pests is to prevent them from hatching in the first place. Their eggs can be present in spices like paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper which these beetles particularly love. So, experts suggest a freeze treatment for all new purchases.
When you bring home new spices, place them in the freezer for two to three days. This temperature drop is sufficient to kill any potential eggs before they have a chance to hatch in your warm pantry. Once treated, move your spices into glass or heavy plastic airtight containers. Cigarette beetles are capable of chewing through thin cardboard and plastic film to move from one bottle to the next.
And don’t forget to check your “red” spices (paprika, chili powder) frequently, as these are the most common targets. If you see “clumping” or what look like tiny holes in the powder, it’s time to toss the bottle.
Pantry safety is a game of temperature
So, a sealed bottle is not necessarily a safe bottle. It’s true that the experience of cooking dinner should not involve a side of entomology. As Jenn argued, we should “simply not have bugs in our seasoning.”
But the reality of global food chains means the responsibility often falls on the home cook to be the final line of defense. So, clear some space in your freezer next to the ice cream next time you bring home a new pack of seasoning. Your paprika’s life depends on it.
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