Animal Responsible for a Luxury Coffee

In the 18th century, the Dutch colonists brought coffee plants to Indonesia to cultivate and produce coffee on a large scale. However, at that time, the Indonesian farmers weren’t allowed to harvest the coffee beans for themselves because the Dutch controlled the coffee plantations.

The farmers noticed that after the civet cats (locally known as luwak) ate the coffee cherries (the fruit that contains the coffee bean). After cherries passed through the civet’s digestive system, where the enzymes in the animal’s stomach fermented the beans.

The workers collected these beans from the faeces, which were thoroughly cleaned and dried. After roasting, they found that these beans produced a coffee with a distinct and smooth flavour profile, much less acidic than regular coffee.

Thus a new coffee named “Kopi Luwak” was invented from the Indonesian words “kopi” (coffee) and “luwak” (civet).

Kopi Luwak eventually became popular over time, sought after for its rarity and distinctive taste. Fermentation in the civet’s stomach alters the beans, often resulting in a smoother, less acidic coffee with rich flavours, mild bitterness and a unique smoothness.

Kopi Luwak is a highly prized type of coffee, often considered one of the rarest and most expensive in the world, and the one responsible for it is a small animal.

Despite being called a “cat,” it’s not a true feline. A civet cat is a nocturnal mammal that belongs to the family Viverridae and is more closely related to other animals like genets, mongooses, and hyenas. 

found in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, including countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Some species are also found in Africa.

There are various species of civet cats, but the most commonly associated with Kopi Luwak is the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). 

Civets are generally small to medium-sized animals, measuring about 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 inches) in length, excluding their tails, which are long and bushy. They use their keen sense of smell and hearing to navigate through the darkness and search for food.

In the wild, civets consume coffee cherries as part of their normal diet, but commercial production of Kopi Luwak often involves capturing and keeping civets in captivity to force-feed their coffee cherries, which has raised concerns about animal welfare.

The authenticity of some Kopi Luwak is also questioned, as some lower-quality versions are made without the involvement of civets.

Despite the controversies, Kopi Luwak remains a fascinating and rare coffee that appeals to coffee connoisseurs seeking an exclusive taste experience.