How I tried Luwak coffee — the most expensive coffee in the world with a strange way of production

An honest review of the very drink whose grains come out through the digestive tract of palm martens.

Kira Feklisova

neuro coach, expert in flavors and aromas, Ph.D.

When I arrived in Bali, I noticed a strange name of coffee with an image of an animal similar to a cat. The first thought was that it was a drink for animals or he had animal vigor. As it turned out later, it is made by a close relative of the well-known mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

In order to explore the whole process, I went to a small farm where coffee, cocoa, the animals themselves are grown and tastings are held.

A smiling Balinese woman greeted me at the entrance. She accompanied me to the tropical garden, where she told and showed me the plants that are used for making drinks, cocoa, coffee.

We smoothly approached the cages in which the big-eyed cats from the pictures were fussing. This animal is called luwak or Asian palm civet. During the day they see poorly and mostly sleep, but at night they go hunting.

They are gourmets by nature, as they really like to drink low-alcohol fermented palm juice and snack on red coffee berries, which are sometimes called "coffee cherries".

Having an ultra-fine sense of smell, the animals choose the ripest and most delicious berries, this is the first stage of production. The next stage begins in the animal's food tract.

The composition of the gastric juice of these animals includes civet, which breaks down the proteins of coffee beans, which gives the drink a special flavor.

Locals collect undigested, fully preserved coffee beans. Then they are washed, dried and fried. During roasting, coffee gets a richer taste.

Only about 500 kg of this coffee is produced annually on the planet. The wholesale price of kg of unroasted luwak coffee beans ranges from $ 100 to $ 300.

A cup of luwak coffee in specialized cafes varies from $ 5 to $ 10, which is very expensive by Balinese standards, since the price of regular coffee starts from $ 1.5.

The production of an invigorating drink on farm plots has its own nuances. The animals that are kept in cages are deprived of the opportunity to move freely along the branches in search of the best coffee berries. And they are forced to eat what the staff feeds them.

This is reflected in the taste and quality of coffee. The price of such a product will be lower than that extracted in the wild under the palm tree where luvak fell asleep.

After the stories about the method of coffee production and acquaintance with the animals, which could not be petted because of their aggressiveness, we were taken to the tasting terrace.

First we tried classic coffee with additional flavors: ginger, ginseng, cocoa, honey, coriander, turmeric. Taste buds gradually began to get tired of bitter, bright and saturated tastes. And then Luwak coffee was brought to us.

Compared with the usual varieties, this coffee was distinguished by its aristocracy and softness. It has a special taste with a slight bitterness, a distinct hint of butter and honey, as well as a stable pleasant aftertaste.

Holding a cup of coffee in my hands and enjoying its aroma, I completely forgot about the peculiar method of production. I decided that by drinking it, I would have feline grace and speed. And the image of a furry animal is just about that.

Doctor's opinion

Marina Rosenstein

is an allergist, immunologist, candidate of medical Sciences, member of the American Association of Nutritionists (AN A)

Coffee is one of the most controversial products, it is being investigated inside and out. Some conduct research and prove that the drink is 100% healthy. Other scientists say that many people's favorite arabica causes cancer.

First of all, it should be said that coffee causes hypersensitivity in 60% of cases. People who were born and raised in Russia do not "digest" this product very well. Therefore, it is still worth checking how your body reacts to caffeine.

Also, the drink can be dangerous for people with hypersensitivity to gluten (a group of complex vegetable proteins). Studies in 2013 showed that in people suffering from celiac disease or gluten allergy, instant and processed coffee caused an undesirable reaction.

Mitotoxins produced by mold fungi often appear in the drink due to improper transportation and storage.

At the same time, the use of natural coffee did not give such a reaction. It not only banishes drowsiness, increases reaction, accelerates metabolism, but also increases dopamine levels.

If we talk about coffee obtained in such a way as Luwak, we definitely need to agree with the taste qualities. According to its useful properties, this drink does not differ much from other varieties. Moreover, it loses most of its coffee properties.

Most often, fake Luvak is sold outside the borders of the European and tropical countries. It is very difficult to determine the quality of coffee. Although today manufacturers of such a product appear in Russia.