Collecting the beans from civet droppings is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process. It is limited in supply as the production is limited. It relies entirely on the civets’ digestion process and hence it is costly.
Kopi Luwak, is considered one of the world’s best coffees. It is one of the expensive coffees too. This unique coffee is made from best beans eaten by animals. The beans are eaten and then excreted by an Asian mammal found in Southeast Asia. The beans undergo a fermentation process in the animal’s digestive system. The fermentation process enhances its flavour and reduces acidity. It results in a smoother cup of coffee.
The production process of Kopi Luwak is quite unique. It involves several steps. But the practices involved in the making this coffee are strange. The process begins when the Asian palm civet, a small mammal found in Southeast Asia, consumes best of the ripe coffee cherries.
The civet’s digestive system ferments the beans, The beans collected this way are thoroughly cleaned to remove any remaining faecal matter. They are then dried to reduce moisture content. Once dried up, the beans are roasted to bring out their unique flavours. After roasting, they are put to a grinding process and brewed to make coffee.
It’s worth noting that the traditional method of collecting beans from wild civets has largely been replaced by farming practices, where civets are kept in captivity.
This has raised ethical concerns about the treatment of the animals, as they are often kept in poor conditions and fed a restricted diet of coffee cherries, which can be harmful to their health.
Kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee, is produced mainly in Indonesia, including the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi, as well as in East Timor. It’s also produced in Malaysia and the Philippines.
Collecting the beans from civet droppings is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process. It is limited in supply as the production is limited. It relies entirely on the civets’ digestion process and hence it is costly.
Farmed Kopi Luwak is high in demand world over and costs around $100 per kilogram ($45 per pound) and about $4 per cup. The cost can go up to $1300 per kilogram ($600 per pound) and between $35 to $100 per cup.
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