Beijing Museum Sparks Debate with Insect-infused Coffee

Would you drink a coffee sprinkled with cockroach powder and topped with roasted mealworms?

Beijing's Biodiversity Pantheon, a museum themed around reptiles, has recently rolled out this unusual coffee, sparking debate online.

The 38-yuan (US$5.2) drink, served in the museum's cafe, mixes premium coffee beans with medicinal cockroach powder, roasted mealworms, and a dash of seaweed for flavor.

"It's crispy and savory, with a hint of seaweed aroma," said museum director Dayuwan, who insists the concoction is more than a marketing stunt.

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

Reactions online have been mixed, with some loving the novelty and others finding it hard to swallow.

The museum also introduced an "ant pumpkin drink" made with medicinal ants in late October — inspired by the director's experience eating wild ants in Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

He admitted the eye-catching drinks help spark discussion but insisted all ingredients meet food safety standards.

"Museum sales are moderate, but many customers hesitate to try the drinks due to psychological barriers, especially parents with children," a museum staff member said, according to the report.

The museum currently sells around a dozen cups a day, mostly to curious young people, according to Elephant News.