Kopi Luwak: A Top Arabica Coffee and Gourmet Coffee to Avoid?

For obvious reasons, we aren’t typically in the habit of advising against the purchase of gourmet coffee. With all the amazing different types of coffee beans available these days, we’re firm believers in variety being the spice of life.

But at the same time, there’s one example of an extremely specific Arabica coffee that’s earned near-universal criticism in some corners of the world.  It’s not the kind of coffee you’re ever likely to try by accident or without realising it, but instead the kind you have to make a good amount of effort to track down.

The coffee we’re referring to in this instance being Kopi Luwak.

What is Kopi Luwak, the Famous Arabica Coffee?

If you haven’t already heard of Kopi Luwak by its official name, you’ve no doubt come across the slightly less desirable handle of ‘cat poop coffee’ at some point or another. According to those who produce and sell the stuff, the fermentation process that occurs when the coffee berries pass through the digestive system of the Asian Palm Civet results in a uniquely superior flavour.

Unfortunately, civet coffee has earned global fame and popularity in some regions for all the wrong reasons. As far as the vast majority of experts are concerned, Kopi Luwak represents a rare example of a gourmet coffee to avoid at all costs.

The 4 most common reasons for such criticisms being as follows:

• Taste

For one thing, passing through the digestive tract of an animal really doesn’t have much impact whatsoever on the flavour of Kopi Luwak coffee. While it’s true to say civet coffee can have a delicious aroma and flavour profile, it’s nowhere near on par with some of world’s best types of coffee beans, such as the legendary Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, Kona Coffee, Geisha Coffee and so on. If it wasn’t for the novelty of the manufacturing process, chances are nobody would be particularly bothered about the flavour profile of Kopi Luwak coffee.

• Price

Sellers routinely charge more than $1,000 for a kilo of “cat poop coffee”. Largely attributed to the fact that Kopi Luwak beans are produced in relatively small quantities and has developed something of an infamous reputation worldwide. The simple fact of the matter being that what you actually get for your money doesn’t come close to justifying these kinds of costs.

• Animal Cruelty

There have been countless scathing reports into the production methods used to create and distribute Kopi Luwak coffee.  In most instances, the Asian Palm Civets are kept in conditions significantly worse than those of battery chickens, being forced to consume and pass coffee in vast quantities, ultimately getting sick and dying painfully. There may be some Asian Palm Civets farms who operate with higher standards, but for the most part, evidence seems to suggest animal cruelty is rife.

• Fakes

Last but not least, gourmet coffee marketed as Kopi Luwak beans quite often turns out to be nothing of the sort. They simply bag different types of coffee beans, slap a creative label on the packaging and sell it for an inflated price. A risk that isn’t worth taking, given that there are so many superior types of coffee beans you can pick up for a much lower price.

Due to ethical reasons and animal protection concerns, Hayman does not offer Kopi Luwak coffee. However, we bring you other legendary and world-famous Arabica coffee, such as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, best Kona coffee Hawaii, and Panama Geisha coffee beans (also called Gesha coffee). Click here to order today, we offer free worldwide shipping!