Beijing museum cafe introduces cockroach-topped coffee, pitcher-plant brews and seasonal ant drinks

TCM practices hold that powdered cockroach products may support blood circulation.

A museum in Beijing had introduced an unusual line of coffees that incorporated insects, including a brew topped with finely crushed cockroaches. The drink, served with the ground insects dusted across its surface, was part of an experimental menu developed by the museum’s cafe.

The concoction also contained dried yellow mealworms, offering what visitors described to local media as a “burnt and slightly sour” taste. The Cover reported that the beverage was sold for 45 yuan (US$6) or Rs 532 approximately per cup. The institution behind the cafe was identified only as an insect museum in the Chinese capital; its name was not disclosed in the report.

A member of staff said the museum began selling the insect-based coffee towards the end of June, and that it had recently gained attention online. “We launched this type of coffee at the end of June and it trended on the internet recently,” the employee told the media as per South China Morning Post. He explained the reasoning behind the unusual menu: “As an insect-themed museum, it seemed like a good idea to have drinks that match.”

The museum confirmed that it had created several other specialty beverages in the same series. These included a coffee drink prepared with the digestive fluid of a pitcher plant, and another limited edition brew made with ants, which was only available during the Halloween period. The employee reiterated that the ingredients had been sourced from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) supplier, adding that customers could therefore be confident about the safety standards of the drinks.

TCM practices hold that powdered cockroach products may support blood circulation, while the high protein content of yellow mealworms is believed by some health professionals to play a role in supporting the immune system. According to the employee, the drink featuring ants had a notably sour profile, and the pitcher-plant variation resembled conventional coffee in flavour.

He noted that the cockroach-based drink mainly appealed to younger patrons interested in trying unconventional foods, while families with children tended to avoid it. “The roach coffee is mainly consumed by curious young people. Parents with children do not like it as they dislike cockroaches,” he said. The cafe serves more than ten cups of the cockroach version daily, he added.

A Beijing content creator, Chen Xi, sampled the insect coffee at the request of his followers. He drank it with his eyes closed and commented, “Well, it is not as disgusting as I thought.” However, a number of social media users expressed discomfort about the idea. “I dare not drink it even if you pay me,” one commenter said.

Unusual coffee combinations have surfaced elsewhere in China in recent months. Earlier in the year, a café in Yunnan province had drawn attention for combining deep-fried worms with its coffee offerings. Another establishment in Jiangxi province had gained notice for adding fried chilli and powdered hot peppers to its lattes.