Kopi Luwak is hailed as one of the most expensive coffees in the world, and its price is jaw-dropping: up to $1,200 per kilogram in the U.S. market, £50 per cup in London, and at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo it sold for as much as 396 yuan per cup. This coffee indeed comes from the feces of the civet, developing its unique flavor through fermentation inside the animal's body. This article will walk you through why Kopi Luwak is so expensive, the unique habits of the civet, key points for brewing and tasting, and practical tips on who should not drink coffee. If you are interested in this legendary coffee, Front Street Coffee also has related products you can explore.

Anyone who has been to Bali has almost certainly heard of Kopi Luwak. It is widely recognized as one of the most expensive coffee varieties in the world today.

In the U.S. market, it can sell for $1,200 per kilogram; in London, a cup costs £50; during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a cup of Kopi Luwak was priced at 396 yuan.

This coffee really does come from cat feces. Dedicated workers collect the droppings and pick out the undigested coffee beans from those strongly smelling — though locals in Indonesia insist they don't stink — excrements. After being repackaged, these things actually became precious gifts from the Indonesian president to foreign heads of state.

The cat mentioned here is not an ordinary domestic cat, but the civet. Some people regard it as a close relative of the house cat, but by appearance it doesn't look like a cat at all — rather like a cross between a cat and a dog: the fur on its head and face is a mix of black and white, its body is grayish-black, and its size and tail resemble those of a cat. Some Chinese people, upon seeing it, say it looks like a masked palm civet.

In fact, the civet is a rare species found only in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It is said that only one remains on Bali today, so precious that it is not easily shown to visitors. Before the civet became famous, its diet included wild berries, drupes, wild vegetables and leaves, and of course, its favorite — coffee beans. The civet is truly a gourmet of the cat world; when eating coffee beans, it carefully selects only the finest quality and hardest beans. Once swallowed, these beans cannot be digested and instead undergo a remarkable journey inside its body.

The civet's intestines contain a special digestive fluid rich in lactic acid bacteria. Under the action of these bacteria, combined with suitable temperature and environment, the coffee beans begin to ferment. The proteins in the beans are broken down into small particles, which are small-molecule enzymes. When the coffee beans are subsequently roasted, these small-molecule enzymes react with the carbohydrates or sugars in the beans, resulting not only in the removal of the coffee's bitterness but also in the emergence of a peculiar, rich aroma.

The civet's belly is like a magical processing plant, and countless experiments have proven that no processing method in the world can match it. Therefore, when the coffee beans are expelled along with the civet's feces, they join the royalty of coffee, their status so noble and incomparable!

The water temperature for brewing Kopi Luwak is also very particular — one degree higher and it's too hot, one degree lower and there's insufficient heat. After brewing, a thin layer of white foam floats on the surface of the coffee. To truly taste Kopi Luwak, do not add sugar or milk at this moment, and do not speak. Just gaze at it once, then gaze deeply once more, bring it close to your nose, close your eyes, and slowly take a deep breath, letting the aroma penetrate your lungs. Once you've inhaled fully, take a sip while it's hot...

How wondrous! Who exactly, and under what circumstances, first discovered the deliciousness of this coffee? This question is even more puzzling than the coffee itself.

【Tips】

Who should not drink coffee?

1. People with high blood pressure. The caffeine in coffee may raise blood pressure in some sensitive individuals.

2. People with kidney failure. If hyperkalemia is present, a potassium-restricted diet is necessary, and coffee is high in potassium.

3. People with peptic ulcers. Caffeine stimulates gastric acid secretion and relaxes the smooth muscle blood vessels of the digestive system, speeding up food metabolism and thereby reducing the nutritional value of food.

4. People with diabetes. Caffeine can reduce insulin secretion from the pancreas, lower glucose tolerance, and increase insulin excretion, leading to elevated blood sugar.

5. People with epilepsy. Caffeine stimulates the brain's motor centers, and xanthine causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the brain — very detrimental to epilepsy patients.

6. People with heart disease. Coffee increases fat and triglyceride levels,加重心脏负担和氧气消耗 — this sentence needs to be in English: increases the burden on the heart and oxygen consumption, and is especially likely to cause problems when the body is tired or when smoking excessively.

7. People with iron-deficiency anemia. Coffee accelerates food metabolism and reduces iron absorption.

8. People with kidney stones. To prevent the recurrence of calcium oxalate stones, foods rich in oxalic acid must be avoided, and coffee is a drink with a high oxalic acid content.

9. People with insomnia. Long-term coffee consumption can affect sedation, increase the number of awakenings, and make sleep shallower.

In addition, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and athletes should also try to avoid drinking coffee.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.