Kopi luwak, or civet coffee, is the espresso version of a luxury roller coaster ride in the coffee world. It’s not just any cup o’ joe; it’s like the James Bond of coffees—exotic, intriguing, and with a backstory that could win an Oscar. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes kopi luwak a standout in the world of caffeinated delights.
Kopi luwak is undoubtedly a unique beverage with a backstory as rich as its flavor. If you’re keen to try it, my recommendation is that you do your homework and opt for sustainably sourced beans. It’s a luxury experience that’s not just about tasting coffee but about savoring a piece of history and culture—just be ready to pay a premium for the privilege.
So, whether kopi luwak is worth it boils down to personal taste, curiosity, and ethics. It’s not just a cup of coffee; it’s a conversation starter, a bucket list item for some, and for others, a testament to the lengths we’ll go for that perfect cup.
The Origin Story
This coffee has roots in Indonesia, with tales also coming from the Philippines and Vietnam. The star of the kopi luwak process is the Asian palm civet, a creature that looks like it hit the genetic jackpot between a cat and a ferret. These civets have a thing for coffee cherries but, being the picky eaters they are, they only snack on the finest, ripest ones.
After the civet eats the cherries, the magic happens in their digestive tract. The beans undergo a fermentation process as they meander through, which supposedly gives kopi luwak its unique flavor profile. The beans are then, ahem, deposited by the civet, collected by farmers, cleaned (thankfully), and finally roasted to create what some hail as the most luxurious coffee in the world.
In Indonesia, the local name for the Asian palm civet is luwak. Kopi luwak thus means Asian palm civet coffee.
The Taste Test
So, what does this roller coaster of a coffee taste like? Aficionados claim it has a remarkably smooth, rich flavor with hints of chocolate, devoid of the usual bitterness of regular coffees. It’s like the coffee equivalent of a smooth jazz record – intriguing, sophisticated, and with a finish that lingers.
Testing has revealed that kopi luwak coffee beans are harder and more brittle than control beans. This suggests that digestive juices enter the bean as it moves through the digestive tract of the civet, modifying the structural properties of the bean.
Caffein
Tests have shown that the caffein content is lower in luwak coffee compared to unfermented coffee. This is true for both Arabica and Robusta coffees.
The Controversy
Now, before you rush off to sell your car to afford some kopi luwak, there’s a bit of controversy you should be aware of. The fame and high price tag of kopi luwak have led to some less-than-ethical farming practices. Some civets are kept in captivity under poor conditions to increase production. This has sparked a debate about animal welfare and the ethics of kopi luwak production, especially when images of civets housed in battery cage systems began to reach the consumers in other parts of the world.
Also, civets being captured from the wild to be kept for coffee production is a problem for the long-term sustainability of the wild populations.
The silver lining? There’s a growing movement towards ethical, wild-sourced kopi luwak. These are beans collected from the wild droppings of free-roaming civets, ensuring no civets are harmed for your brew. It’s a step towards enjoying this unique coffee without the side of guilt.
Get to know the animal that poops your coffee beans
The Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a member of the Viverridae family, which is considered the most primivite of all the families of feliform Carnivora.
What does it look like?
This is a very cute, furry animal that have been described as looking a bit like a cross between a ferret and a cat.
The adult Asian palm civet weighs around 2-5 kg. It lives partly in trees and is an excellent climber with very sharp claws. In addition to a stocky body which is roughly 50 cm long it also sports a long tale which can be almost as long.
The fur is coarse and shaggy; mostly greyish but with sizeable black areas. The civet is adorned with a white mask across its forehead, a small white patch under each eye, and a white spot on each side of the nostrils.
Where does it live?
The Asian palm civet is native to southeastern and southern Asia.
The greatest density of Asian palm civets are found in primary forests, but some populations have adapted well to secondary forests and selectively logged forests. It is even possible to encounter this species in certain parks and suburban gardens where there are fruit trees for it to eat from.
The chivet is both terrestrial and arboreal. It is a nocturnal animal, and is less active during nights when the moon is especially bright.
Is it endangered?
The Asian pam civet has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2008 and is thus not considered an endangered species.
The situation is different for certain populations, however. One exampel is the Indonesian one, which is threatened by poaching and illegal wildlife trade – including civets being captured from the wild to work in the production of kopi luwak. Certain rules aiming to save the civet are in place in Indonesia, but their impact remains unknown and the rules have proven difficult to enforce.
Does it only eat coffee berries?
No, this is an omnivore species that its a variety of things, including fruits, berries, palm sap, insects, and even small mammals. The bulk of its diet is berries and pulpy fruits, such as mango, rambutan and coffee berries. Since it eats a lot of seeds and do not digest them, it is an important seed disperser.