Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee that includes part-digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus).

History

The origin of Kopi Luwak is closely connected with the history of coffee production in Indonesia. In the early 18th century, the Dutch established the cash-crop coffee plantations in their colony in the Dutch East Indies islands of Java and Sumatra, including Arabica coffee introduced from Yemen. During the era of Cultuurstelsel (1830–1870), the Dutch prohibited the native farmers and plantation workers from picking coffee fruits for their own use. Still, the native farmers wanted to have a taste of the famed coffee beverage. Soon, the natives learned that certain species of musk civets consumed the coffee fruits, yet they left the coffee seeds undigested in their droppings. The natives collected these luwak's droppings, then cleaned, roasted and ground them to make their own coffee beverage.

Production

The Kopi Luwak production process follows several steps. The civets consume the cherries for the fleshy pulp, then in the digestive tract, fermentation occurs. The beans finish the journey through the digestive system, and workers collect them from the forest floor for cleaning. The beans are washed and given only a light roast so as to not destroy the complex flavors that develop through the process.

Taste and Price

Kopi Luwak is a full-bodied coffee, smooth, and not as acidic as other varieties. It has been described as having a flavor profile that is at once syrupy, earthy, and wild. The price of Kopi Luwak varies widely, but it is notoriously one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with prices reaching up to $700 per kilogram.

Controversy and Criticism

The production of Kopi Luwak has raised ethical concerns, particularly in relation to animal welfare. The high demand for the rare coffee has led to civets being captured and kept in battery cage systems, a practice that is viewed as inhumane. This has led to a backlash against the production and consumption of Kopi Luwak, and calls for more sustainable and humane farming practices.

See Also

• Coffee production in Indonesia
• Civet
• Specialty coffee