According to some questionable results from the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in India, the milk from the Pacific beetle cockroach contains three times the energy of regular cow milk. Oh, and they’re native to Australia. Score!
Although the study was originally published in 2016, it has hit the news cycle again this week as we continue to look for sustainable ways of eating and living.
And while eating or drinking cockroaches is not idea, the scientists hope to replicate the milk in a lab by sequencing the genes responsible for producing the milk protein crystals.
“The crystals are like a complete food — they have proteins, fats and sugars. If you look into the protein sequences, they have all the essential amino acids,” researcher Sanchari Banerjee told the Times of India.
If you’re wondering why you’ve never seen cockroach nipples, you’re not alone. They don’t actually have them, so extracting the ‘milk’ would provide a potential hurdle to mass production.
"If you need food that is calorifically high, that is time released and food that is complete. This is it," added Subramanian Ramaswamy, lead researcher.
Given the description and high protein and caloric composition of the Roach milk, the new product could peak the interest of the body building community. In fact a South African company, Gourmet Grubb, is already farming cockroaches and selling their milk.
"One of the most pivotal benefits of Entomilk is that it has a high protein content and is rich in mineral such as iron, zinc, and calcium," the brand says on it’s website. And according to those that have tasted it, it’s has the same taste as traditional cow milk.
Would you give it a go?
