For coffee fanatics a cup of coffee is not just a beverage, it is an experience. From cappuccinos to espressos, the variety is endless. However, did you know that the world’s most expensive coffee is also one with a jaw-dropping price and a just as intriguing narrative? If you thought coffee was just about beans and brewing, think again!
Enter Kopi Luwak, also known as Civet Coffee—the most luxurious (and controversial) coffee in the world. Sell at an above of $500 per pound, this coffee has the attention of coffee enthusiasts all over the world. What makes it so special? The secret lies in its unique and special production, beginning with an adorable pet and natural magic. Curious? Let’s check out.
All you need to know about world’s most expensive coffee
- What is Kopi Luwak?
The Indonesian coffee, Kopi Luwak, is produced by the Asian palm civet, a small, nocturnal mammal (the ‘luwak’, part of the production. These are different from conventional coffee beans, in that these beans are initially consumed by civets. Yes, you read that right!
The civets feast on ripe coffee cherries, digesting the fruit’s pulp but not the inner bean. During digestion, the civet’s stomach enzymes ferment the beans in its food, changing its taste characteristics. The beans are later excreted, collected, and cleaned (very thoroughly! And then roasted to make the most decadent coffee ever.
- What Makes It So Expensive?
The high cost of Kopi Luwak comes from its scarcity and time-consuming production cycle. Civets will select only the best and ripest cherry coffee and thus collect on nature an artificial higher quality bean. The intracellular fermentation within the civet’s stomach gives a consistent, special flavor with low acidity, and is highly valued by people.
Increase this by the scarcity (it is not a mass product) and the resulting demand explodes. Authentic, ethically sourced Kopi Luwak is even more scarce, thus pushing up prices.
- The Controversy Around Civet Coffee
While Kopi Luwak is sought-after, it’s not without controversy. On many farms, civets are kept in pathetic conditions in the hope of increasing the number of animals, and thus calls for ethical sourcing have emerged. According to the experts, it is currently advisable to purchase only wild-harvested Kopi Luwak from trustworthy sellers. This ensures the animals do not get disturbed and that the taste of the coffee is naturalistic.
More Than Just a Drink
Kopi Luwak isn’t just coffee—it’s an experience and a story. Although it is expensive price and complicated fabrication (i.e., a luxury), it does present fundamental questions on sustainable and ethical sourcing. For those who have the time/desire to indulge, a cup of this exotic beverage is guaranteed to be memorable.
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