• Chinese museum offers coffee containing cockroach powder
• Other drinks include pitcher plant juice and ant coffee

A museum in Beijing has launched a unique coffee drink containing ground cockroach powder sprinkled on the surface, along with dried yellow mealworms, according to a local news report.

Tasters described the flavor as "burnt and slightly sour."

The drink is sold at the insect-themed museum’s cafes in the Chinese capital for 45 yuan (around US$6) per cup, a museum employee said.

He added, "Since the museum is insect-themed, it seemed fitting to offer drinks that match the concept."

The menu also features drinks made with pitcher plant juice and a coffee brewed with ants, which is typically sold only during the Halloween season.

The employee confirmed that all ingredients were purchased from traditional Chinese medicine herb shops, ensuring the safety of the drinks.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, cockroach powder is used to improve blood circulation, while protein-rich yellow mealworms help strengthen the immune system.

The employee added that the ant coffee tastes sour, whereas the pitcher plant drink tastes like regular coffee.

He noted that the cockroach coffee is mainly consumed by curious young people, while parents tend to avoid it with their children due to the presence of insects.

The café reportedly sells more than 10 cups of the cockroach drink daily.