Kopi Luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world selling for between $100 and $600 USD per pound or about $50 a cup. Its also known as Civet coffee or Weasel coffee. Kopi Luwak is an Indonesian word, Kopi which means coffee, and luwak is a common name of a cat size mammal Asian Palm Civet. Kopi Luwak has an exceptional aroma and most pleasing taste.
But I’m sure many of us don’t know how this delicious coffee is obtained. Civets consumes red coffee cherries, containing fruits and seeds. But, its not able to digest the coffee beans so they are passed out. The beans and collected washed and dried. Though Civets are not able to digest the beans but their digestive juices penetrate the beans break down the proteins and enhance its flavour.
We may worry about the safety, but rigourous washing, sun drying and roasting at high temperature help to eliminate bacteria making it a safe coffee.
Really, an unusual way to get an unusual flavour…….
All scientific analysis confirm that Kopi Luwak is not dangerous for health. Dr. Marcone said that as a scientist, he doubted about the safety of a product which has been in contact with excrement but his final tests show that due to the thorough washing process the quantity of pathogen organisms in the beans is insignificant. Whatever the washing process misses the roasting and brewing process will make up for.
If you want to know all about Kopi Luwak or want to try it, There you can find a description of the Luwak animal, the process to obtain the Kopi Luwak, How to make a perfect cup of coffe, warnings about buying kopi luwak, description of this rare coffee, pics and video. You can also buy kopi luwak online.