Are you always on the hunt for a fabulous new beverage? Have you been hearing about Kopi Luwak as of late and have no idea what it is or why it seems to be the hottest trend right now? Kopi Luwak is coffee, but it’s far from your average coffee both in flavor and in price. Everything about Kopi Luwak is unique including the process, the ingredients and where it got its beginnings. So, let’s examine all that is Kopi Luwak including what makes it all the rage right now.
Commonly Known as the “Cat Poop Coffee”
Coffee lovers are always on the hunt for the best tasting brew out there and the latest trend but, what if we were to tell you that the most buzzed-about and most expensive coffee right now doesn’t even hail from the coffee bean? What if the trendiest coffee is cat poop coffee? Sure, it may sound crazy, but this is a specialty coffee that has been around for years and has been a staple in the Far East regions.
Kopi Luwak has a very interesting history that can be traced back to Indonesia where it was first produced. The name refers to the production rather than the product itself. Rather than come from a coffee bean, a coffee cherry is used – which is a fruit. These fruits have green seeds and, depending on what region it has been grown in, the taste will differ slightly.
The Production Process
Now here’s where things get unique. Traditionally, coffee beans would ferment in the sun or water, but that’s not the case with these coffee cherries. Instead, civet cats eat the cherries, allowing them to ferment as they move through the digestive tract. The idea is that this provides more flavor.
The cats eat the cherry-like fruit whole and their digestive system can break down the fruit while leaving the bean intact. Once they pass the bean, it is on to production. At this point, the beans are then collected, sorted, washed thoroughly and then dried. Next, they are prepared for roasting so that coffee can be made out of them.
So, what gives the coffee its flavor? The cat’s digestive enzymes are what impart the unique flavor. Now because this process is all-natural, it can take a fair amount of time.
Many Factors Play into the Cost
Maybe you’re wondering why the coffee is so expensive if it’s a cat that is responsible for much of the production process. Because the cat needs to eat and then let the bean pass through their digestive system, it can take a while – typically about 1 ½ days. There is no way to speed up this portion of the process, so you’ll see that the price tag reflects how time-consuming it is.
There is also the fact that the cat should not be under stress and needs to eat a high-quality diet. Both of these factors will affect the flavor of cherry, so no corners can be cut.
Besides being made in Indonesia, it is also produced in Vietnam and the Philippines.
A Truly Unique Experience
So, if you’re tired of the same old cup of coffee in the morning and you’re looking to step outside your comfort zone, you may want to read more on Kopi Luwak and give it a try. For many people, it’s more than just a trendy beverage or something they can wow their friends with; it’s a really enjoyable drink and may just end up being a staple in your rotation.
