Arabica Coffee Beans

I’ve seen a lot of weird things before, but this one is up there. In certain parts of the world (like the Philippines for example) a special type of coffee is produced - Kopi Luwak (it goes by other names too, but this is usually what it’s referred to in these parts). What makes this coffee bean special is that before it’s harvested it’s been partially digested by a palm civet. Civets are omnivorous. When they’re not eating rodents they like to indulge themselves by snacking on coffee cherries. Civets eat the cherries for the fruity part… leaving the coffee bean to pass through their digestive tract. Folks dig through civet excrement picking out the coffee beans. Enzymes in their digestive tract break down some of the proteins in the bean, thereby altering it’s chemical makeup. This (along with a secretion from a gland located near the end of the digestive tract) give it a very unique flavor. I found an interesting thread on this on CoffeeForums.com.

Some say this coffee is the best they’ve ever had, especially when served iced. And it’s been demanding some pretty high prices here in the States. Upwards of $175 per pound depending on whether you get Arabica beans or Robusto. AnimalCoffee.com has it bargain priced at $160 for the Arabica.

Those interested in trying some can find it here: Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak)

If you’ve tried it please share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below.

Filed under: Arabica Coffee Beans on April 4th, 2007