A café in eastern China has gone viral online after introducing a strange new drink that combines coffee with eggs boiled in child urine, a local speciality that some believe has health benefits.
The unusual drink is being sold in the city of Dongyang, where the practice of making so-called “boy urine eggs” has existed for centuries and is even listed as part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage.
Coffee Topped With Traditional “Boy Urine Eggs”
According to reports, the café recently began selling a special Americano served with an egg that had been boiled in urine collected from boys under the age of 10.
Staff said the drink costs about 28 yuan (around $4) per cup and has been selling well, with around 100 cups sold on busy days. The egg is roasted before serving and placed on top of the coffee, giving it a slightly crispy texture.
Customers can either eat the egg separately or mix it into the coffee, depending on their preference.
Long History Behind the Local Delicacy
The unusual ingredient is not new to Dongyang. Locals have been eating eggs boiled in child urine for generations and believe the dish can help the body stay healthy during seasonal changes.
Some traditional beliefs say the eggs can help prevent tiredness in spring and reduce the risk of heatstroke in summer.
Stories about the food date back to the Song dynasty, when it was said to have been used as a tonic. Because of its long history, the dish was added to Dongyang’s list of intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
Doctors Warn About Hygiene Concerns
Despite its cultural background, medical experts have warned people not to consume the eggs.
Doctors said urine is a waste product of the human body and does not provide any real health benefits. They also raised concerns about hygiene and safety, even though they acknowledged the food remains part of local tradition.
One specialist from a hospital in Zhejiang said he respected the custom but would not recommend eating it from a medical point of view.
Drink Removed After Online Backlash
After the coffee went viral on social media, many people questioned the hygiene of the drink, with some saying the idea sounded too strange to try.
Following the online reaction, the café reportedly removed the item from its menu.
In recent years, cafés in China have introduced many unusual drinks to attract customers, including coffee served with unexpected ingredients, but this latest creation has surprised even those used to bizarre food trends.
