Museum in China sells cockroach coffee for S$8.50 & other edible insect drinks

A museum in Beijing has gone viral in China for selling cockroach-infused coffee, along with a wider menu of beverages featuring edible insects.

The insect-themed museum began attracting attention after a visitor shared their cup of “cockroach coffee” online on Nov. 10.

When local reporters contacted the venue on Nov. 11, staff confirmed that the drinks were genuine and part of an experimental beverage line, according to United Daily News.

Insect coffee series

According to museum staff, the “insect coffee series” incorporates insects sourced from traditional Chinese medicine stores to ensure food-safety compliance.

Each drink costs around 45 yuan (S$8.50) and includes options such as:

• Cockroach coffee
• Mealworm coffee
• A specialty drink containing the digestive fluid of a pitcher plant
• Halloween limited-edition ant drink

The taste profiles for each of the drinks vary.

The mealworm coffee is said to have a nutty roasted aroma, while the cockroach coffee has a  slightly acidic taste.

The ant coffee on the other hand is noticeably more acidic, while the pitcher-plant drink reportedly tastes similar to a normal fruity beverage.

Taste test

An influencer, who posted a video on Xiaohongshu recording his reactions to the drinks, recommended the mealworm coffee the most out of all the options.

He mentioned that the coffee and milk was of a good quality while the mealworms had a biscuit-like texture and tasted a bit salty and flakey.

He said:

“If you cover my eyes and don't tell me it's an insect, I'll say it's not bad.”

The museum has assured that the actual flavours are “much milder than expected” despite the off-putting names.

Mixed public response

The museum told the media that it sells only about 10 cups daily, with most customers being young people keen to try something unusual, as cited by The Asia Business Daily.

"Museum sales are moderate, but many customers hesitate to try the drinks due to psychological barriers, especially parents with children.”

Reactions across Chinese social media have ranged from curiosity to strong revulsion.

Some praised the museum for promoting insect-based proteins, while others said that they would not “eat it even if it were free” and that “just looking at it is horrifying”.

The museum director, as quoted by City News Service Shanghai, reminded people that not all cockroaches are pests and that they can be useful.

"There are over 5,000 species of cockroaches worldwide, and most aren't pests. They're decomposers in the wild and even have medicinal and cosmetic uses."

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Top images via Xiaohongshu