The most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak

Civet Cat 

I’m doing my Bali trip next week and I sure am very excited. But what I am even more excited about is the live Kopi Luwak experience. 

Luwak is the MOST expensive coffee in the world. Is that because it tastes really good? – Yes, but its more because of the way it is produced. 

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF KOPI LUWAK?

First up, an average cup of Luwak in a reputable coffee shop could be starting at 15 dollars and could run up to approximately 100 dollars. If you’re buying it over the counter in India, it costs about Rs12000 for 1 kg.

WHAT DOES KOPI LUWAK MEAN?

'Kopi' in simple terms means coffee in Indonesia. 'Luwak' is a palm civet cat.

WHAT'S THE CORRELATION?

Well, the finest coffee berries in the world are eaten by Asian Civet Cats as part of their diet. However, they say that the coffee bean does not digest itself in the cat’s system and it passes directly through the cat in its faeces and remains undamaged. These undamaged beans are further picked up and processed to make the famous ‘Kopi Luwak’

The branding of this coffee is particularly unique because it is believed that the coffee bean undergoes a unique fermentation process as part of the digestive system of the cat which cannot be synthetically replicated and hence gets a 100% pure distinct flavor.

IS IT GROSS?

Yes, at first it is. But, the bean undergoes a lot of cleaning, processing, and refining and it’s completely hygienic by the end of the process. Let’s believe that at least while we taste the coffee, shall we?

IS IT WORTH TRYING?

Talking about taste, the question is whether it’s worth trying?

Absolutely! You really aren’t an ardent coffee lover until you’ve tried it. I loved it because it’s smooth and not as bitter as other coffees. Distinctly earthy and less caffeinated, Luwak makes a wonderful, by-the-window, in-the-monsoon kind of drink. 

Also, since it’s not easily available, it makes it worth a try while you can!

FUN LUWAK FACTS

• POOP Coffee as many in India call it, has become popular because of T S Ganeshes organic plantation in Karnataka which has plenty of civets. Ganesh’s gang collect the droppings and have been making an indian version of Luwak.  The coffee brand called Kari Beck, the Indian version of Kopi Luwak, is sold at Rs 15,000 a kg to connoisseurs who swear by the gourmet coffee.

• Brand expert and coffee aficionado Harish Bijoor says animals are the best coffee pickers, picking the best ripe bean that are then naturally cured because of the civet's digestive enzymes. "Any coffee coming from the dung is an exotica. Naturally cured coffee comes with a huge price tag," he says.
• Coffee is not the only subject of poop. Haathi Chaap is a company that makes paper from elephant poop. Apparently, elephant dung is rich in fiber and they have been making big bucks on it.
• Inspired by Haathi Chaap, Mahesh Bora – Coal India engineer started making paper from Rhino poop in Assam since 2012. "We generate Rs 36 lakh in revenues annually. We are a small unit in Assam providing direct employment to 8 families (5 members each) and indirectly impacting 400 families including those who work on bamboo and jute ropes. I need 6 tonnes of dung to produce 3 tonnes of paper a month," Bora says, and adds that his company supplies notebooks and cane boxes to French designer Agnes B, and notebooks to another French fashion designer Jamini

• While researching about Luwak, I read this comment which actually left me thinking. You should think about it too:

‘’ I am wondering whether excretion distillation of animals eating sugar cane , or coconut , will give same effect like Rum and Coconut Feni. If it works then days are not far when you will find people carrying buckets and chasing animals to collect their booty. this will not only give the kick , but will also contribute to Clean india campaign’’

Enjoy!

And @Kush, Thank you :D