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In the world of this drink, one of the most unusual and unorthodox ways is the production of the so-called “civet coffee”, which requires a very laborious and expensive process. This is a gourmet coffee that is obtained from coffee beans that have been partially digested by civets. Civets are animals similar to cats or weasels that live on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and Bali; they feed almost exclusively on coffee.
Red coffee fruits are a natural part of your diet. The internal coffee bean (seed) is not digested and is recovered in the feces, since it comes out whole. It appears to be chemically modified by enzymes present in the civet’s stomach, which add flavor to the coffee, breaking down the proteins that produce its bitterness. The presence of enzymes during the fermentation process, although most of them change during roasting, gives coffee its distinctive flavor and aroma.
“Civet coffee,” also called “kopi luwak,” is considered the most expensive coffee in the world. Its particular production process and its low annual production mean that it has a very high price. It is only found in very specialized stores, and it is estimated that only a third of a ton is produced each year, which makes it exotic.
Opinion
As civet coffee has gained popularity and widespread appeal, these small animals are becoming a big target for controlled production. Hundreds of civets are captured to be locked in tiny cages on coffee plantations in unsanitary conditions. The natives in Indonesia have them to recover their feces with modified coffee beans and to expose them to tourists.
Understandably, it is difficult to obtain enough wild-processed coffee, which is why they must be captured. Unfortunately, it is evident that it is a form of animal abuse since some of the civets look too thin from receiving a diet restricted to coffee berries, the fruit that surrounds the bean. Others may be obese, because they cannot move freely. Many others may be too stimulated by caffeine.
Many civets do not have access to clean water or the opportunity to interact with others of their species, living in their natural environment. They are exposed to noise from traffic and tourists, which is disturbing for these nocturnal animals. Your stress level is high. For all this, the consumption of this type of coffee becomes questionable, since those who buy it are supporting the chain of cruelty against civets, forced to live in captivity. Some marketers will claim that it is a product of wild animals, which is difficult to prove.
One of the common concerns is whether there are risks in consuming Kopi Luwak. At this point all analyzes confirm that it is not dangerous to health. Due to the washing process, the amount of pathogens is negligible and any that remain after the cleaning process are lost in the roasting process. This ensures that the only thing that reaches consumers is coffee beans without impurities. A few years ago, in Indonesia it was prohibited because it was considered dirty, currently its consumption is allowed although most of it is destined for export.
On the other hand, a coffee expert cited in an article for the Specialty Coffee Association of America, a trade organization for gourmet coffee roasters and baristas, claims that kopi luwak is not even that good of a coffee. Although the civet’s digestive process does make the coffee smoother, it also strips away the good acids and flavor that characterizes a cup of specialty coffee.
The Sustainable Agriculture standards (SAN) – which the New York-based Rainforest Alliance and other renowned coffee certifiers use to issue their seals of approval – prohibit the hunting and captivity of wild animals on farms. The ban on keeping caged civets is specifically outlined in the FNS guidelines for coffee in Indonesia.
Alex Morgan of the Rainforest Alliance, which uses SAN standards, says it is too risky to certify kopi luwak. It is very difficult to determine whether grains come from 100% wild animals or not. Although civet coffee has some distinctive flavor and is the most expensive bean, as a final conclusion and healthy recommendation it is best to avoid it completely. It is the same recommendation that Alex Morgan makes, because “it is very likely that it is a production made with caged animals” and obviously very mistreated.
*Author of the book: “The power of coffee, healthy value.”
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The post The most expensive coffee in the world, which is not recommended appeared first on Minuto30.
2024-11-25 06:33:00
#expensive #coffee #world #recommended
How does the process of making kopi luwak affect the welfare of civets?
**Interview with Coffee Expert on the Ethics and Production of Civet Coffee**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Fabio Arévalo, a coffee expert who specializes in unique coffee varieties. Fabio, thank you for joining us!
**Fabio:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a fascinating and controversial topic.
**Interviewer:** Let’s dive right in. Civet coffee, or kopi luwak, is known as the most expensive coffee in the world. What exactly makes it so unique?
**Fabio:** Civet coffee is produced using a very unusual process. The coffee beans are eaten by civets, which are small mammal-like creatures native to Southeast Asia. After partially digesting the beans, the undigested seeds are excreted. The fermentation process that occurs in the civet’s digestive system alters the beans’ chemical composition, resulting in a distinct flavor profile that many coffee aficionados find appealing [[1](https://thecoffeeguru.net/kopi-luwak-coffee-the-ultimate-guide-to-taste-production-and-authenticity/)].
**Interviewer:** That sounds intriguing! But with such a labor-intensive process, it must be quite rare. How rare is it?
**Fabio:** Indeed, it’s rare and expensive. It’s estimated that only about a third of a ton of this coffee is produced each year, making it highly sought after in specialized markets [[1](https://thecoffeeguru.net/kopi-luwak-coffee-the-ultimate-guide-to-taste-production-and-authenticity/)]. However, this rarity has also led to some serious ethical concerns.
**Interviewer:** Ethical concerns? Could you elaborate on that?
**Fabio:** Absolutely. As the popularity of civet coffee has surged, many civets are now captured and kept in poor conditions on coffee plantations. They’re often confined to small cages, fed a diet primarily of coffee cherries, and deprived of their natural behaviors and social interactions. This is a clear form of animal cruelty as their well-being is severely compromised [[1](https://thecoffeeguru.net/kopi-luwak-coffee-the-ultimate-guide-to-taste-production-and-authenticity/)].
**Interviewer:** It’s distressing to hear that. So, when people buy this coffee, what are they really supporting?
**Fabio:** When consumers purchase civet coffee, they often inadvertently support a system that promotes animal abuse. Many marketers may claim their product is sourced from wild civets, but it’s challenging to verify such claims. By buying this coffee, customers may be contributing to a cycle of captivity and exploitation [[1](https://thecoffeeguru.net/kopi-luwak-coffee-the-ultimate-guide-to-taste-production-and-authenticity/)].
**Interviewer:** Given all these concerns, is there a health risk associated with drinking kopi luwak?
**Fabio:** Fortunately, studies have shown that drinking this coffee is not hazardous to your health. The beans undergo thorough washing and roasting processes that reduce any potential pathogens to negligible levels. However, the health risks are overshadowed by the ethical issues surrounding its production [[1](https://thecoffeeguru.net/kopi-luwak-coffee-the-ultimate-guide-to-taste-production-and-authenticity/)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Fabio, for shedding light on the complexities surrounding civet coffee. It’s vital for consumers to be aware of these issues before making a purchase.
**Fabio:** Thank you for bringing attention to this matter. I hope more people consider the ethical implications of their coffee choices.
**Interviewer:** That’s a wrap on our discussion about civet coffee. Thank you all for tuning in!