KOPI LUWAK / CIVET COFFEE

KOPI LUWAK / CIVET COFFEE:

Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee, in which coffee bean is collected from the Asian Palm Civet’s feces. It also known as “Civet coffee” or “cat poop coffee”. The dirty secret of this coffee bean is collected from poop of palm civet.

It is world’s strange and most specialized expensive coffee. Kopi Luwak (as pronounced in Indonesia) is famous Indonesia coffee. Civet is cat like wild creature that roams in the forest of Bali at night, eats ripe coffee cherries and excretes the coffee beans.

The palm civet

ORIGIN OF CIVET COFFEE:

The birth place of civet coffee is Indonesia. The Dutch initially established coffee plantation in Sumatra and java in the 1700. Since the locals were prohibited of harvesting beans for themselves, they began making coffee using these discarded beans. The civet wild animal will only eat up the best ripest coffee cherries. The civet digestive enzymes partially digest the coffee cherries, removing the chaff and flesh and leaving lightly fermented coffee beans. Locals collects civet’s poop, wash and roast them to make coffee for they personal use. Thus the story of civet coffee began.

Discarded Beans

PROCESS OF KOPI LUWAK:

• Farmers grow Arabic coffee plants
• Palm civet cats/ Luwak eat the ripe coffee cherries.
• The civet digestive enzymes partially digest the coffee cherries, removing the chaff and the flesh and leaving lightly fermented coffee beans.
• Workers handpick the coffee beans out of the civet’s poop and wash, dry and roast them.
• Roasted coffee beans are packed and sold.

  

Ripen Coffee Cherries

                            
PRODUCER COUNTRIES:

Indonesia islands of Sumatra, Philippines, Vietnam, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and East Timor.

India, Asia’s third largest producer and exporter of coffee, coorg District of Karnataka started in small scale, export the coffee powder.

PRODUCING METHOD:

TRADITIONAL METHOD:

The palm civet is a shy and nocturnal animal. Civet cats rely on plenty of juicy fruits, odd insects and reptile. Civets choose certain cherries to eat. The civet digestive enzymes partially digest the coffee cherries, removing the chaff and the flesh and leaving lightly fermented coffee beans. Workers handpick the coffee beans out of the civet’s poop and wash, dry and roast them.

INTENSIVE FARMING:

The palm civets are kept in battery cages and force fed the cherries. The process of production is done.

Caged Civet / Forced fed

FLAVOR:

Some people use the word “jungle” as a tasting descriptor, but the flavor of kopi Luwak is primarily described as earthy and musty with trace of caramel and chocolate. The taste depends on the tree variety, soil type, and seasonal fruits eaten by the civet. It is unique.

POSITIVE FACT:

1. Easier on the stomach unlike other coffee. Good for ulcers and gall bladder related problems.

2. Treat migraine problem.

3. Reduce the risk of cancer.

4. Release stress and increase energy.

5. Anti bacterial properties of Luwak (Asian Palm Civet) strengthen teeth.

6. Good for heart health, detoxifies the body and helps in controlling diabetes.

7. Rich in antioxidants.

Its general facts, medicate person can consult before using civet coffee.

DRAWBACKS:

1. Labor intensive task.

2. Caged civet cat for coffee production, fails to meet the animal welfare standards like         hygiene, shelter, poor diet and mobility.

3. Force fed the cherries leads to mal nutrition and their health issues.

4. Many civet sold aren’t authentic, it has inferior flavor and acidity.

5. It’s very expensive.

6. While higher dose of caffeine leads to anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increase heart rate.                                         

COST OF CIVET COFFEE POWDER:

It is expensive when compared to other coffee powder available in the market. A cup of civet coffee cost $35- 100 outside Indonesia. Farmed beans cost $ 200+ and wild beans per kg cost $600 to 1300+ outside Indonesia. That’s 20 to 60 times more expensive than average coffee. Production takes a lot of time and energy. It is produced in traditional way and manually. Generally only five to six beans are found in each dropping. So it tends to be costly. 

Image from Google

                       

FINAL SUMMARY:

Kopi Luwak is world’s strange and most specialized expensive coffee which has a unique taste can be consumed at least once in life time. It is claimed to be more nutritious. Be aware of the fraudulent product available. Check the certification before purchase.

Images:

Images are taken from Google.