The Beijing Insect Museum has introduced a new coffee that uses ground cockroach powder. He also uses dried yellow mealworms to create an unusual drink that shocks many people.
Unusual coffee trends are common in China. Some cafes add fried worms to their drinks, while some mix fried chilies and hot peppers into their lattes.
According to Chinese doctors, yellow mealworms are rich in protein and can help improve the immune system. A museum worker says the ant-based drink tastes sour. The mugwort version, on the other hand, tastes like normal coffee.
Cockroach coffee is mainly tried by curious youngsters because their parents don’t like anything to do with cockroaches. The store sells over 10 cups of this unusual beer every day.
“Cockroach coffee is mainly consumed by curious young people. Parents with children don’t like it because they don’t like cockroaches,” he said.
Visitors say the taste is burnt and slightly sour, matching the museum’s insect theme. The drink costs 45 yuan (more than ₹550). It is sold only in the museum’s own cafes.
“We launched this type of coffee at the end of June, and it recently became a trend on the Internet. As an insect-themed museum, it seemed like a good idea to have drinks to match,” an employee told Chinese media.
Employees said the idea originated in June and later gained popularity on the Internet. This encouraged more people to try it.
The museum also created drinks using the digestive juices from the pitcher. She also innovated a special ant-based drink that was only offered during Halloween, according to the South China Morning Post.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
All insect ingredients are from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) stores. The museum claims they are safe to eat, which may comfort curious customers.
TCM belief suggests that cockroach powder can help improve blood circulation. However, this view is not accepted by mainstream science.
Beijing food vlogger Chen Xi tried ground insect coffee after his followers requested it. He closed his eyes and took a quick drink.
“Well, it’s not as disgusting as I thought,” he said.
However, netizens still doubt such experimental drinks.
“I dare not drink it even if you pay me,” SCMP quoted one of them as saying.
