Introduction:A “Jianshouqing Dirty” coffee launched by a Shanghai café has sparked heated discussion on social media due to its unique greenish appearance and distinctive name. The drink looks vastly different from a typical Dirty — its bottom layer is an unusual green color, topped with espresso, and even features suspended greenish powder. However, in truth, the beverage contains no Jianshouqing at all, but rather uses black truffle powder and spirulina to achieve its striking color. This article delves into the reality behind this viral coffee and introduces the background of Jianshouqing along with its associated risks.
This creative coffee beverage, named “Jianshouqing Dirty,” quickly became a trending topic on social platforms after being introduced by a café in Shanghai. Photos shared by customers show that this Dirty looks drastically different from the conventional style — its lower layer is a vivid green, topped with espresso, and dotted with some greenish powder floating on top, instantly catching the eye.
The drink has garnered widespread attention not only for its unique appearance but also largely because of its name — “Jianshouqing.” Jianshouqing is a colloquial term for a type of wild boletus mushroom, which turns indigo when cut or bruised. It mainly grows in forests in regions like Yunnan and is a locally unique wild edible fungus. However, if not properly cooked, Jianshouqing may contain highly toxic compounds that can cause mild effects such as hallucinations and diarrhea, or in severe cases, pose life-threatening risks.
Interestingly, this so-called “Jianshouqing Dirty” contains absolutely no Jianshouqing ingredients. According to café staff, to achieve the green hue, they used a blend of black truffle powder and spirulina — both safe ingredients that also create a special visual effect. It is precisely this color inspiration that gave this Dirty its creatively named twist, “Jianshouqing.”
While the name may spark the imagination, the drink actually poses no toxicity risks. Nevertheless, this naming approach has drawn skepticism from some consumers, who feel it could lead to misunderstandings or even inadvertently remind people of the dangers associated with toxic wild mushrooms. Many others, however, expressed relief that the café did not actually use real Jianshouqing in the coffee, thereby avoiding potential health hazards.
It is understood that this drink is priced at 38 RMB. Due to its distinctive appearance and name, it attracted a large number of customers eager to try something new, even briefly leading to supply shortages. The café has now limited its daily production to 100 cups to manage demand and maintain quality.
Although the “Jianshouqing Dirty” does not actually contain real Jianshouqing, the name still evokes associations with the hallucinogenic wild mushroom. Those who have previously experienced “Jianshouqing poisoning” note that although online rumors claim such poisoning causes visions of dancing figures, these experiences are usually accompanied by physical discomfort and health risks. They strongly advise against trying wild mushrooms casually, especially when their species cannot be accurately identified.
For coffee enthusiasts, the creative color-mixing technique used in this Dirty also offers new inspiration. Utilizing natural ingredients such as black truffle powder and spirulina can not only enhance a drink’s visual appeal, but also create a uniquely sensory experience without compromising flavor.
In summary, although the “Jianshouqing Dirty” has a sensational name, it is ultimately a safe and creatively crafted coffee beverage. By using black truffle powder and spirulina to achieve its unique green hue, it successfully captures consumer interest. At the same time, it reminds us to stay rational and understand the facts behind novel names and appearances.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
