Why Young People in China Are Trying Cockroach Coffee
A new food trend in China, cockroach coffee, is making headlines after a Beijing insect museum introduced the unusual drink using ground cockroach powder and dried yellow mealworms. While it may sound alarming, many young visitors are trying it out of curiosity, and a popular food vlogger even described it as “not as disgusting as expected.” This rising interest has sparked questions about taste, safety, and possible health benefits.
What Is Cockroach Coffee?
The museum, known for its insect-themed displays, launched cockroach coffee in late June. The drink combines traditional coffee with finely ground cockroach powder sourced from licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shops. In addition, some versions include dried yellow mealworms to enhance the theme.
Cafés in China often experiment with unusual flavours, from deep-fried worms to chilli-infused lattes, so this launch fits into a broader trend of novelty beverages.
Why Are Youngsters Trying It?
According to museum staff, the drink primarily attracts younger customers who enjoy adventurous foods. Parents, however, tend to avoid anything containing cockroach ingredients.
Even so, the café reports selling over 10 cups daily, driven by social-media buzz.
The drink costs 45 yuan (over ₹550) and is available only within the museum’s cafés.
How Does It Taste?
Visitors describe the flavour as slightly burnt with a mild sour note, which aligns with the museum’s goal of offering insect-themed beverages. A food vlogger, Chen Xi, tried the crushed-insect coffee after his followers requested it. After taking a quick sip with his eyes closed, he admitted:
“It’s not as disgusting as I thought.”
Despite these reactions, many online users say they still cannot bring themselves to try it.
TCM Perspective on Cockroach Powder
All insect ingredients, including those in cockroach coffee, come from TCM shops where they are prepared and sold for medicinal use.
TCM practitioners believe:
- Yellow mealworms are rich in protein and may support immune function.
- Cockroach powder may help improve blood circulation.
However, medical experts emphasise that these claims are not supported by mainstream scientific research. While the ingredients are generally considered safe when properly processed, they should not be seen as proven health treatments.
More Insect-Based Drinks at the Museum
The museum has also experimented with:
- A sour-tasting ant-based drink, offered only during Halloween
- A coffee made using digestive fluids from pitcher plants, which reportedly resembles normal coffee in flavour
These innovations are part of the museum’s strategy to match its beverages with its insect-themed exhibits.
Growing Online Curiosity
Staff members say that once cockroach coffee began trending online, more people became willing to try it. Nevertheless, scepticism remains high, with one netizen expressing:
“I wouldn’t drink it even if someone paid me.”
Conclusion
The rise of cockroach coffee shows how food trends can shift quickly when novelty and curiosity come together. Although TCM ingredients are considered safe when properly sourced, the supposed health benefits of cockroach powder are not backed by modern scientific evidence. For now, the drink remains an adventurous choice rather than a medical recommendation, one that appeals mostly to curious young consumers.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 27 November 2025
- 09:00
