Coffee is one of the greatest beverages known to man: It keeps us warm in the winter, gives us a boost, and tastes delicious. So, what would you think if I told you that the cup of coffee you are drinking from was filled with only the most delicious animal droppings around?
You probably just spat your coffee out. However, before you judge a coffee’s origins, you need to hear the backstory. With this in mind, join us on a journey of discovery as we travel from a falling fruit, through the digestive tract of the Asian Civet Cat, to a thorough cleaning process, and delicious beans ready to grind into your coffee.
What Is Kopi Luwak?
This rare coffee was first discovered by Indonesian farmers, during a time when natives weren’t allowed to harvest their coffee. Putting their creative minds together, they needed to formulate a new method of harvesting coffee. Then, they discovered that the Civet Cat is capable of passing coffee cherries without breaking them down. Once these unconventional beans had exited the Civet Cat, they were brewed. Kopi Luwak is both smooth and delicious, so pull out your favorite mug and get ready to tantalize your tastebuds.
How Is Kopi Luwak Made?
Civet Coffee comes from coffee bean seeds from The Coffee Tree. The coffee is supposed to protect the beans from animals, but the Civet Cat can’t get enough of them. Once eaten, it takes a full day for them to be digested, but the beans themselves emerge unscathed in the cat’s droppings.
Farmers then get to work collecting the “cat poop coffee”. The excrement goes through a thorough cleaning process that leaves the coffee bean clean. After this, the beans can be dried, put through the grinding process, and brewed. The time taken to wash and prepare the beans for brewing is enough time for any bacteria to be eliminated. If you’re brave enough to embrace these beans, they’re perfectly safe for human consumption.
The Taste
So, you must be thinking “what does this cat poop coffee taste like?”. Well, in a nutshell, this coffee is said to taste rather nutty, smooth, and creamy. The reason the beans need to go through the digestive process, rather than be picked off the tree, is that they have a bitter-tasting coat. As these beans are passed through the Civet Cat, this coating is broken down by proteolytic enzymes. Seeing as the coffee isn’t bitter, it only needs a light roasting before being ground and brewed. If the bean is roasted for too long it loses its unique flavor.
Considerations
Unfortunately, as with most things, there are things you need to think about when you’re buying Kopi Luwak - we’ve outlined these below:
- The rising demand. As the coffee has risen in popularity, some farmers have been impatient and tried to feed the Civet Cat alternatives. These harm the animals and don’t share the same exquisite taste. The Civet Cat is unique because it chooses which berries it eats, with only the ripest ones being the optimal choice.
- Fake Kopi Luwak. You need to do your research when buying this rare coffee because a large proportion of the market is fake. Sumatra is the most significant Kopi Luwak player in the world right now.
- Human consumption. Naturally, you’re going to question consuming something that was once inside the digestive system of another animal. However, be rest assured that Civet Coffee is perfectly safe. This is another reason why you need to do your homework and ensure the manufacturer is legit.
How Much Does This Poop Coffee Cost?
Of course, you’re now itching to try this delightful coffee and want to know how much it will set you back. Due to the unique journey that the coffee bean goes through, this is one of the most expensive coffees worldwide. The price of your coffee will come down to whether you’re buying it by the pound or cup. Further, the bean’s origin and the demand will have an impact on the cost. If you’re buying the coffee beans, you will be looking at around $100-$600 as a benchmark. Alternatively, if you’re buying a cup of cat poop coffee, you will find prices sitting at around $50 per cup. The profit ratio makes this an excellent choice for coffee shop owners.
Note: If you buy Kopi Luwak from caged Civet Cats, you will pay a lower cost but will sacrifice authenticity.
This coffee is unique and comes with the taste and cost to go with it. If you want to try this coffee, you should remember to do your homework and verify the manufacturer. Seeing as you’re paying far beyond the average price for coffee, you should probably only bring out your Kopi Luwak on special occasions.
Leave a Reply