Recently, a coffee shop in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, creatively paired “boy’s urine eggs” with Americano coffee, calling it “Boy’s Urine Egg Americano,” and priced it at 28 yuan (RMB, hereinafter). However, after sparking controversy, the product has been taken off the shelves.
According to a report by Jiu Pai News on March 16th, the staff at the coffee shop mentioned that the product was quite popular, selling hundreds of cups a day. They noted that “the taste might feel a bit strange and exhilarating for first-time consumers.”
The staff explained that the boy’s urine eggs were cooked and roasted over charcoal fire, resulting in a slightly charred outer layer and a salty taste. The boy’s urine egg was placed on the rim of the cup with Americano coffee inside. Customers were advised to consume them separately, but some preferred to crush the egg and mix it with the coffee for consumption.
In a document published by Zhiwang in 2016, it was stated that boy’s urine eggs, which are chicken eggs boiled in boy’s urine, are an intangible cultural heritage of Dongyang City. Boy’s urine eggs are recommended for consumption during the winter and spring seasons, as they are believed to have the effects of nourishing yin, reducing fire, and alleviating heat and agitation. Boy’s urine refers to the urine of boys under 10 years old. According to “Compendium of Materia Medica,” boy’s urine is cool and non-toxic, effective in reducing fire, clearing stasis, promoting the elimination of old and the growth of new, without harming the internal organs.
In 2011, Gong Mingwei, the then head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center in Dongyang City, stated that although the exact origins of boy’s urine eggs are uncertain, their widespread popularity and reputation among the public are enough to prove their value. He mentioned that in the past, Dongyang had many martial artists, and boy’s urine eggs were effective in recovering from injuries caused by falls. Additionally, farmers often sustained injuries while working in the fields, and boy’s urine eggs proved effective in their recovery.
The report also quoted Wu Yunhua, Chief Physician of the Respiratory Department at Dongyang City Hospital, who mentioned that boy’s urine eggs might not be suitable for everyone and should be consumed based on individual body constitutions. Furthermore, Huang Jian, Director of the Nephrology Department at Jinhua Central Hospital, believed that urine is a waste product excreted by the body and generally does not contain beneficial substances for humans. Hence, he did not advocate for the consumption of boy’s urine eggs.
According to “Orange Interactive Urban Express” on March 17th, the café offering Boy’s Urine Egg Americano was located at the entrance of the Lu Residence Scenic Area in Dongyang. However, the product has now been discontinued, with the staff not providing any explanation. They simply stated, “We no longer offer this product. The café only serves Americano coffee now. If you want Boy’s Urine Eggs, you will have to bring them yourselves!”