by Mary Hale

Created on: May 13, 2007   Last Updated: August 26, 2011

There is probably no other coffee in the world that has such an interesting (and possibly disgusting) background as Kopi Luwak. It is also one of the most expensive types of coffee world wide - selling at around $75 for a quarter pound of coffee. The name "Kopi Luwak" comes from Kopi - which is the Indonesian word for coffee, and Luwak - which, believe it or not, is a local name for the Asian Palm Civet. The Asian Palm Civet is a mammal native to south-east Asian and southern China.

Now, you might ask, what in the world does an animal have to do with one of the world's most expensive types of coffee? This is where it gets interesting - and is not recommended for those with weak stomaches. The coffee cherries - which are the fruit containing the coffee bean - are eaten in large quantities by the Palm Civet, or Luwak. They pass through the digestive system of the animal and are passed in a simi-digested state. These digested coffee berries are then harvested and used to make Kopi Luwak. It is believed that the digestive enzymes give the coffee unique flavor and also help cut down on the bitter taste that some coffees have.

This process takes place in the Philippines, Vietnam, and south India. Kopi Luwak is sold mainly in the United States and Japan, though it is becoming available in other places as well, in limited supplies. Once the beans are sold, they are washed and only lightly roasted to preserve the special flavors given by the digestive processes of the Luwak. What actually makes this coffee a delicacy and also gives it interest is the way in which the coffee beans are processed before they actually become coffee. However, the same processes will turn just as many people away from Kopi Luwak.

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