When we hear the word “superfood” we usually tend to think salmon, kale, eggs, etc. Well we can now add a new item to that list: cockroach milk. According to CNN, there is now new research that suggests that this insect milk can someday be a supplement for human consumption.
Before you freak out (like we did at first), hear us out. The Pacific Beetle Cockroach creates a formula to feed its babies, and this crystalized formula is packed with protein, fat, and sugar.
In fact, these crystals have three times the amount of energy than buffalo milk, which in turn as four times the amount of energy than cow milk does. Can’t beat that, right?
However, it is important to note that this formula isn’t actually milk, at least not in the way that we think of. “Any liquid harvested from a cockroach is not true milk,” said Becky Facer, director of school and educator programs at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta.
Leonard Chavas, one of the scientists behind the research, told CNN that the main interest behind the research of cockroach milk was, “what is it really made of?” He and his team eventually ran tests on the insect species, as well as genome sequencing, and discovered that the ‘milk’ is a complete food.
“It is what one would need: protein, essential amino acids, lipids and sugars,” Chavas said.
‘Cockroach milk’ is extracted from the midgut of the embryo’s, so as of now, it may not be the best method for feeding humans. Chavas and his team hope to reverse bioengineer the formula for mass production. But in the meantime, if you’re wondering what cockroach milk tastes like, Chavas says there’s, “no particular taste.” Nevertheless, we wouldn’t recommend you going out to find some to taste for yourself.
