Coffee Beans That Monkeys Eat And Poop Out
If you're a coffee lover, you might have heard of a unique type of coffee that comes from the poop of monkeys. Yes, you read that right! This coffee is known as Kopi Luwak, and it originates from Indonesia. Kopi Luwak is made from coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by a small mammal called the Asian Palm Civet, also known as the Luwak.
How Is Kopi Luwak Made?
The process of making Kopi Luwak starts with the Asian Palm Civet, which eats the ripest and sweetest coffee cherries it can find. The cherries undergo a fermentation process in the animal's digestive system, which breaks down the outer layer of the coffee bean, leaving only the inner bean intact. The beans are then excreted in the animal's feces, which are collected and processed.
The feces are washed, and the coffee beans are separated from the rest of the waste. The beans are then roasted and brewed like any other coffee, producing a unique and expensive blend that many coffee lovers swear by.
Why Is Kopi Luwak So Expensive?
Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with prices ranging from $100 to $600 per pound. The high price is due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming process of producing the coffee. It's estimated that a single cup of Kopi Luwak can take up to 50 beans, which means that a pound of Kopi Luwak requires around 6000 beans. Additionally, the beans are in high demand, with only a limited supply available each year.
Is Kopi Luwak Ethical?
Despite its high price and popularity, Kopi Luwak has come under scrutiny for its ethical implications. Many producers keep the Asian Palm Civet in captivity, feeding them a diet of only coffee cherries to increase the yield of the coffee. This practice is considered unethical by many animal welfare organizations, as it can lead to malnutrition and health problems for the animals.
Additionally, some producers have been known to use wild-caught civets, leading to concerns about the impact on the animal's population in the wild. As a result, many coffee lovers have chosen to boycott Kopi Luwak in favor of more ethical and sustainable coffee options.
Conclusion
Kopi Luwak is a unique and expensive coffee that has gained popularity in recent years. While the production process has come under scrutiny for its ethical implications, many coffee lovers still swear by the taste and quality of the blend. Whether you choose to try Kopi Luwak or not, it's important to be aware of the implications of your coffee choices and to support sustainable and ethical coffee production.
