Bali coffee: the #1 most expensive coffee in the world is made from the #2 of a jungle cat.
Kopi Luwak, aka Bali jungle cat poop coffee, is produced mainly on the islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. Agrowisata Abian Kusuma Sari, a coffee plantation in the Tampaksiring region of Bali is one such plantation and the location for a taste test extraordinaire.
Where Does Kopi Luwak Come From?
The luwak, or civet, is a small nocturnal animal that looks like a cross between a cat and a ferret. They roam through the jungles after dark, selecting the ripest, sweetest coffee cherries to feast on for their fruit pulp. The fruit enters the animal’s digestive tract, where natural fermentation takes place as the enzymes seep into the coffee beans.
After spending about a day and a half in the civet’s digestive tract, the partially digested beans are expelled in clumps through the defecation process, thus gaining the alias “cat poop coffee.” The collected beans, which have maintained their shape and still covered with the berry’s fleshy inner layers, are harvested, washed and roasted.
Even though they are temporarily in contact with bacteria, the beans contain insignificant amounts of pathogenic organisms associated with feces because the outside of the bean is not completely digested and after collection, it is thoroughly washing and then roasted, sometimes multiple times.
The Tasting
The Agrowisata Abian Kusuma Sari plantation is ensconced in a jungle lushness enveloping the walking paths on the way to the tasting area. We were guided through the coffee and spice gardens and educated on all the plants in the thick growth. Finally, we reached the tasting area, a pleasant, shaded terrace overlooking a stunning panorama of dense jungle valley.
We were served around a dozen or so different types and flavors of tea and coffee in small glass demitasse cups to sample. The flavors were wonderful and diverse, some savory, some sweet. I especially liked the Bali Cocoa coffee and the Bali Ginger tea.
But the pièce de résistance, of course, was the moment of truth when you make the decision as to whether you will try the poop coffee. I was the only one in our group willing to take on the challenge.
Intrepidly, I grasped the handle, took a big gulp…. and swallowed. I have to admit, I was surprised that it tasted that good. I’m not one of those fans of overly-strong, burnt-tasting coffee, so the smooth flavor with just a tiny hint of caramel tickled my taste buds.
I drained the cup, down to the last dropping.
Pop Culture
A scene featuring Kopi Luwak coffee can be seen in the 2008 movie The Bucket List where Morgan Freeman takes great joy in revealing to Jack Nicholson that he has just enjoyed coffee make from cat feces. “You’re shitting me!” says Nicholson, to which Freeman replies amid a huge belly laugh, “No, the cats beat me to it!”
In 1995, an Ig Nobel Prize – a parody of the Nobel Prize whose stated aim is to “honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think” – was awarded to John Martinez of J. Martinez & Company in Atlanta, Georgia, for “Luwak Coffee, the world’s most expensive coffee, which is made from coffee beans ingested and excreted by the luwak (aka, the palm civet), a bobcat-like animal native to Indonesia.”
The Controversies
Aside from the initial repulsion of ingesting something that has been excreted by another species, there are two additional issues of debate surrounding Kopi Luwak coffee – taste and treatment.
1. Taste
There are mixed opinions regarding the taste of Kopi Luwak. The Specialty Coffee Association of America claims the taste is similar to normal coffee beans. “Cuppers” (professional coffee tasters) claimed that while they were able to distinguish the Kopi Luwak as distinct from the other samples and that it was less acidic, they did not find it to be remarkable, making it more rare than distinct and regarding it as a gimmick.
Supporters argue that the process may improve coffee through selection and digestion. Selection occurs when the animals choose the ripest, sweetest cherries. During digestive fermentation, enzymes permeate the beans with amino acids which may improve the flavor and remove the bitterness.
Most coffee drinkers are able to distinguish a distinct taste. Just the fact that it is less acidic makes it favorable to many people.
2. Treatment
A 2012 investigation by The Guardian newspaper found Indonesian civets were being confined in cramped cages and force-fed a debilitating diet of coffee cherries in conditions described as “awful” and “horrific.”
At the Agrowisata Abian Kusuma Sari plantation, we were shown where the expelled coffee is collected. Or rather, not shown. “We do not cage the animals,” said our plantation guide. “Nor do we force-feed them the coffee cherries as is, unfortunately, being done in some areas. We harvest the defecated beans from the wild before processing them. It is our opinion that the animals will naturally select the sweetest cherries, which ultimately makes the smoothest, best-tasting coffee.”
Cost
Kopi Luwak is considered the world’s most expensive coffee due to the uncommon method of production, and scarcity of only 500 lbs. of the beans produced every year. The price for 16 ounces of the beans can be as high as $600. A quick search on Amazon turned up a bargain of $389.99.
My steaming mug of the luwak crappachino was only $5.00.
The experience? Priceless.
Looking for more things to do in Bali?
- Finding Bliss in Bali
- 13 Things to Do in Bali. #8 is a Hoot #12 is Insane!
- Survival Guide to Bali’s Sensational Sister Islands
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About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning blog Luggage and Lipstick. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials.” Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal.
Patti has traveled six continents looking for fabulous places and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer (and Gen X!) tribe. You can follow Patti on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Read more about Patti Morrow.
33 comments
Comment by Anita
Anita September 28, 2015 at 11:47 am
I’m open to trying just about any coffee tradition, but have not yet tasted Bali Jungle Cat Poop. Gimmick or taste treat? Will have to refrain from judgment until I do. 🙂
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 28, 2015 at 11:49 am
My sentiments exactly, Anita! All in all, it was a fun experience, and a great (and inexpensive!) way to sample Bali jungle cat poop coffee.
Comment by Kay Dougherty
Kay Dougherty September 28, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Loved your introductory sentence and the many puns – too much to resist! I stayed at a coffee plantation on mainland Indonesia and was told about the cat poop coffee but wan’t brave enough to try it (and still wouldn’t be). You get this week’s Coffee Bravery Award!
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 28, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Knew you’d love the humor, Kay, as that’s your style and I love reading your blog! Sometimes I think I might have more courage than brains, but in this case, it worked out — the coffee was GOOD!
Comment by Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru September 28, 2015 at 6:20 pm
I can’t imagine NOT tasting it if given the opportunity! I’m rather shocked that others in your group declined, but not surprised that you were up for it. I enjoyed reading all the details and was gratified to see that at least somebody is concerned about humane treatment of the animals and harvesting responsibly, too. Very, very interesting.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 28, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Thanks, Betsy! Sometimes I even surprise myself at the things I’ll try! But in this case, it was worth the risk. I really did like the Luwak coffee.
Comment by Vicki Winters
Vicki Winters September 28, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Luwak coffee making sounds like quite the process….I’m not really a cat fan, so I probably would pass on cat poo coffee.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 28, 2015 at 7:54 pm
You would be in good company, Vicki! Mostly everyone tells me they would pass. But the cat poo coffee was good! How would you know such things unless you take a risk? 🙂
Comment by Irene S. Levine
Irene S. Levine September 28, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Is there anything you don’t try? I like tasting different types of coffees but would draw the line on this one:-)
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 28, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Ha ha, Irene! So I’ve been asked! I felt it my duty to try one sip, but it was my pleasure to finish the cup.
Comment by Paula McInerney
Paula McInerney September 29, 2015 at 5:28 am
I did, I liked it, I wrote about it. It tasted like Lebanese coffee to me so that was all good. I just hoped like hell my civet was not caged.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 29, 2015 at 7:32 am
I agree. The plantation assured me that they did not cage the civets and I did not see any cages during my tour.
Comment by The GypsyNesters
The GypsyNesters September 29, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Yes we have heard about Bali jungle cat poop coffee and would certainly try it. Less acidic sounds good.
Comment by R U S S
R U S S September 29, 2015 at 6:29 pm
We have a similar kind here in the Philippines. It’s called Coffee Alamid, also made from poop.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick September 29, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Really? I didn’t know that! Palawan is on my bucket list, so when I get there, I’ll definitely try it. Thanks for the tip, Russ!
Comment by R U S S
R U S S October 4, 2015 at 9:21 am
Lemme know if you ever visit Manila. We could have dinner or something 🙂
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick October 4, 2015 at 11:24 am
Absolutely! That would be great!
Comment by Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe October 10, 2015 at 8:47 am
I tried it and so did everyone there at the time we visited. I won’t say I loved it, but its drinkable. I really enjoy some of the other varieties of coffee and teas, which is a lot as I’m not a tea drinker. We wrote about our experience too.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick October 10, 2015 at 8:58 am
I also enjoyed some of the teas, and I’m not a tea drinker either, Lyn.
Comment by Sabine
Sabine January 2, 2016 at 2:44 pm
I’ve heard so much about this coffee that I always wanted to try it. Just in Europe it is pretty expensive. One day, I’ll have a cup of poop coffee 🙂
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick January 2, 2016 at 7:23 pm
It’s a very fun experience, Sabine!
Comment by Svet Dimitrov
Svet Dimitrov January 4, 2016 at 7:34 am
I would love to try it. Though I am not a coffee addict, I would definitely pay 5 to try it. In Bulgaria I have seen a cup for at least 40 USD.
Thanks for sharing this amazing piece of experience!
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick January 4, 2016 at 7:42 am
The jungle cat poop coffee is definitely a memorable experience!
Comment by Rachel
Rachel March 24, 2016 at 11:42 am
This was funny and amazing to read. lol. Loved the article. I am not sure you have convinced me to try Bali Jungle Cat Poop Coffee, but definitely open to adventures. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by luggageandlipstick
luggageandlipstick March 24, 2016 at 11:45 am
Oh, you absolutely must try it if you are in Bali, Rachel! I wouldn’t steer you wrong… the whole experience is fun and the coffee really was delicious. And, of course, you could always just stick to their variety of teas which were also very good.
Comment by Cristina Stoica
Cristina Stoica December 21, 2017 at 1:38 am
We read it for the first time this kind of coffee and your experience was amazing with Nice pictures. Thanks
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Comment by Laura Smith
Laura Smith August 22, 2018 at 5:10 am
I enjoyed reading all the details and was gratified to see that at least somebody is concerned about humane treatment of the animals and harvesting responsibly, too. Very, very interesting.I am not sure you have convinced me to try Bali Jungle Cat Poop Coffee, but definitely open to adventures.
Comment by Alexon
Alexon August 22, 2018 at 8:42 am
I’ve heard so much about this coffee that I always wanted to try it. Just in Europe it is pretty expensive.I am not sure you have convinced me to try Bali Jungle Cat Poop Coffee, but definitely open to adventures.
Comment by Jhon Smith
Jhon Smith August 28, 2018 at 9:12 am
I am not sure you have convinced me to try Bali Jungle Cat Poop Coffee.This was funny and amazing to read. lol. Loved the article.but definitely open to adventures. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by cebu beaches
cebu beaches November 28, 2018 at 1:55 am
This is the first time that I have read about a coffee made from a cat’s poop. I felt disgusted at first but as I read through your blog, I can almost see how you liked the coffee and how you were amazed by its aroma. Anyways, I won’t still try to drink it if ever I have the chance to do so. I just don’t. haha
Regards,
Zane
Comment by Almosaferblog
Almosaferblog May 21, 2019 at 2:42 am
the idea that this coffee comes from there makes me think a lot before drinking it, thank you for sharing.
Comment by Mohamed Hammad
Mohamed Hammad September 16, 2019 at 12:01 pm
As a coffee addict, always wanted to try this coffee haha, lovely article I really enjoyed reading..