What is so special about kopi luwak coffee?

There is always a reason why something has a premium price tag. Kopi Luwak coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, so what is the reason for this?

What is Kopi Luwak Coffee?

The first thing that makes Kopi Luwak coffee special is how it’s made. Certain islands of Indonesia are the main origin of this coffee, but it is also produced in The Philippines and Vietnam, and more recently in Ethiopia and Thailand.

Although it's a form of arabica coffee, Kopi Luwak can claim to be completely unique. The Asian palm civet, a weasel-like creature, likes to eat raw coffee cherries. Farmers collect the excreted beans and make them into coffee. This is why you will often hear Kopi Luwak referred to as cat poo coffee or weasel poo coffee.

Why Drink Kopi Luwak?

It is not just the manual labour that makes this coffee a premium commodity and enables it to command a high price. Connoisseurs love the taste too.

Experts believe that civets are very choosy about their favourite snack and only eat the best quality cherries. The excreted beans have passed through the civet's intestinal tract and as well as being partially digested and fermented by gastric enzymes, much of the skin and pulp is removed. This enables them to be processed much quicker, as the majority of the deskinning and initial washing process can be bypassed.

When the beans are roasted, they have a special unique taste. Depending on your palate, the taste might be described as being earthy or musty with tones like caramel or chocolate. Remember though – again adding to its appeal – each batch will be slightly different because it all depends on what the civet eats and which cherries are collected by the farmers.

If you want a smooth coffee with no bitter aftertaste, choose Kopi Luwak.