Coffee is one of the most versatile drinks in the world. There are so many varieties and options to choose from. Luwak Coffee is one that leaves every coffee lover intrigued and can typically be found on bucket lists around the world. So read more and unlock the world’s most exclusive coffee!
WHAT IS LUWAK COFFEE?
Luwak Coffee is a rare and exotic coffee made from partially digested coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by a civet. More commonly known as Kopi Luwak, the name is derived from the local name of the Asian palm civet, which plays an essential role in contributing to the development of the coffee’s unique taste profile.
(Image Credit: https://enjoyjava.com/)
ORIGIN
Luwak Coffee originates from the Dutch East Indie Islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia in the 18th century. The Dutch knew that Indonesia’s tropical climate was exceptional for coffee cultivation but the plantation workers were not allowed to harvest the coffee for their own consumption. Soon enough, the workers discovered that civets would frequently consume the coffee cherries and undigested seeds would be found on the forest/plantation grounds and could be processed into drinkable coffee without getting into trouble with the Dutch farmers. This process eventually spread throughout the colonies and gained widespread popularity.
THE PROCESS
The unique factor of Luwak Coffee lies in its production process. The civet only picks and eats the ripest coffee beans of the highest quality. These coffee beans rest in the civet’s stomach for 24 hours and are subsequently digested, undergoing a unique chemical process which removes the bitterness and enhances the natural flavours of the coffee beans.
Farmers gather these beans and a thorough cleaning process follows. Once the best beans are washed and dried, they are light to medium roasted to ensure the flavour potential of the beans are retained in the beans.
Luwak coffee is typically characterized by it’s sensationally silky and sweet flavour profile, very smooth without any bitterness. It’s definitely a more complex cup compared to a regular cup of java, and something you could easily become accustomed to.
The Asian Palm Civet indulging in coffee beans
Image credits: https://coffeeheadblog.wordpress.com
Luwak coffee has a distinct taste due to its production process.
(Image Credit: https://enjoyjava.com/)
WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL?
Authentic Luwak coffee is a prized possession, costing between $100-$600 for just a pound! As you can imagine product supply is very limited and the production process is time-consuming and requires a lot of special handling. Farmers will have to look around forests and land to find civets’ droppings. Hence, it’s very time-consuming to be able to find enough coffee beans for production. Moreover, the cleaning process is extremely tedious to ensure bacteria is washed away.
Luwak Coffee Beans are roasted carefully after the thorough cleaning process.
(Image Credit: https://enjoyjava.com/)
Luwak coffee isn’t for everyone. Many shy away due to its background and the fact that it originates from poop, but you will never know until you taste it yourself. So, if you are adventurous and looking for a sensory experience, you know where to look!
JJ Royal Coffee is Indonesia’s supreme mountain coffee. If you can’t make your way to Indonesia, taste the luxurious silkiness and exquisite flavour in JJ Royal’s 100% Pure Luwak Coffee!
