Highlights
- Beijing insect museum launches coffee made with cockroach powder
- Drink includes dried yellow mealworms and other insect-based ingredients
- Museum says all ingredients are safe and sourced from TCM herb shops
- Young customers show curiosity, while parents mostly avoid it
- Other insect-based drinks also available, including ant and pitcher-plant brews
Museum Introduces Cockroach Coffee
An insect museum in Beijing has created a unique and unusual beverage — a coffee topped with powdered cockroaches and dried yellow mealworms. The drink, priced at 45 yuan (US$6) per cup, has quickly gained attention online for its bold and creepy concept.
According to reports, customers describe the taste as “burnt and slightly sour.” Most buyers are young people who are curious to try something out of the ordinary.
Why the Museum Launched the Drink
A staff member from the museum said the cockroach coffee was introduced at the end of June and recently went viral on social media.
He explained that since the museum focuses on insects, offering insect-themed beverages felt like a natural idea. Along with the cockroach brew, the cafe also sells:
- Drinks made with yellow mealworms
- A beverage using the digestive juice of pitcher plants
- A limited-edition ant drink released during Halloween
Assurance of Safety
The museum employee said all ingredients used in the drinks are purchased from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb shops, ensuring they are safe for consumption.
TCM traditionally claims that cockroach powder can support blood circulation. Medical professionals also mention that yellow mealworms, being rich in protein, may help boost the immune system.
The staff added that:
- The ant drink tastes sour
- The pitcher-plant drink tastes similar to regular coffee
- Parents usually avoid buying the drinks, especially because of cockroaches
Despite that, the coffee shop still sells more than 10 cups of the cockroach brew each day.
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Public Reactions
A Beijing blogger, Chen Xi, tried the drink after his followers requested it. He drank it quickly with his eyes closed and commented,
“Well, it is not as disgusting as I thought.”
However, many internet users expressed strong hesitation. One person wrote,
“I dare not drink it even if you pay me.”
Unusual Coffee Trends in China
China has seen several unconventional coffee ideas in recent years. Earlier in 2025:
- A cafe in Yunnan mixed deep-fried worms with coffee
- Another shop in Jiangxi created lattes flavored with fried chili and hot pepper powder
These creative combinations often become trending topics online, attracting both curiosity and debate.
Source: South China Morning Post
