It's pretty barbaric. The silkworm grub spins the silken thread out of its mouth & around itself in order to form the cocoon in which it will transform itself into a moth. The silk farmers wait for the grubs to do this then throw the cocoon, silkworm & all into hot water which allows the silken thread to be unravelled from the cocoon & spun on a machine & boils alive the silkworm grubs. The boiled grubs are then sold on as food to local people who eat them fried.
