Elon Musk had a short but clear response to the idea of cockroach milk becoming the next superfood.
The billionaire reacted with a one-word comment, “Gross”, after the New York Post shared a report about the unusual food ingredient and how scientists extract it.
(Also Read: Google’s Project Suncatcher satellite sends first AI response from space, writes a haiku ) Despite its name, cockroach milk is not milk in the traditional sense. It is a nutrient-rich substance produced by female Pacific beetle cockroaches to nourish their developing young. The substance contains protein crystals along with fats and sugars, making it an interesting subject for food scientists. The extraction process, however, is far from appealing. Scientists are now studying the substance’s molecular structure to explore whether it could eventually be reproduced without relying on such a labour-intensive process. However, cockroach milk is still a subject of research, and it is not an established everyday food product. the online reaction suggests that getting people comfortable with the idea may be a challenge in itself While scientists continue to explore alternative sources of nutrition.
A 2026 review published in the journal Insects also examined the potential of insect-derived ingredients in beverages, including protein shakes, tea and other drinks.
Researchers worked with pregnant Pacific beetle cockroaches, removed their embryos and opened them to release the protein crystals, according to the New York Post report.
