Cockroach Coffee Trend: China’s ₹570 Bug Brew Shocks The Internet - Would You Try It?

Just when you think food experimentation couldn’t get any stranger, Beijing has served up a brew that has left the world equal parts horrified and fascinated. In an insect-themed museum in China’s capital, baristas are stirring up ‘coffee with cockroach powder’, a concoction that has rapidly gone viral for its unsettling ingredient list. What began as a quirky café novelty has quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about beverage trends of the year.

Cockroach Coffee Trend

For coffee aficionados used to debates about beans, roasts and milk textures, the idea of ground cockroach dust sprinkled over your latte may feel unimaginable. Yet that is exactly what visitors to this Beijing museum are paying for, roughly 45 yuan (₹570) per cup. Social media reactions range from horror to intrigue, while those who dared take a sip describe it as ‘burnt and slightly sour.’

But cockroach dust isn’t the only ingredient raising eyebrows, dried yellow mealworms are also added to the brew, creating a sensory experience that is part beverage, part dare.

Inside Beijing’s Creepy-Crawly Coffee Craze

The drink was launched quietly in late June and only recently exploded online after curious visitors began posting about it. Staff at the museum say it was an intentional experiment to match the venue’s insect theme and appeal to young, adventurous customers. Not everyone is on board, though, parents and children reportedly tend to avoid it entirely.

A Dose of Traditional Medicine in a Cup

Interestingly, the ingredients are sourced from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) suppliers. According to TCM beliefs, cockroach powder is thought to support blood circulation, while protein-packed mealworms may help immunity. The café claims it sells more than 10 cups a day, suggesting the curiosity factor is strong enough to keep this peculiar innovation afloat.

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More Than Just One Strange Drink

The cockroach blend is not a standalone gimmick. The museum has also unveiled drinks made with fluid derived from pitcher plants and previously offered an ant-based brew during Halloween. That ant drink was reportedly sour, while the pitcher plant coffee tastes far more conventional, at least compared to cockroach dust.

China’s Growing Taste for Experimental Coffee

This is not the first time Chinese cafés have played with shock value. Earlier this year, a Yunnan café gained attention for mixing deep-fried worms into lattes, while a shop in Jiangxi experimented with chilli powder coffee. Together, these odd brews form a trend that keeps China’s café culture firmly in global headlines, pushing the boundaries of what coffee can be and daring consumers to ask: how far is too far?

So, if you were handed a ₹570 bug-infused brew, would you sip it for the story, or walk away and stick with a cappuccino?

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Image Courtesy: Freepik