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I tried it. I tried the cat poop coffee.
Was it weird to make a cup of coffee using beans I knew had gone through the digestive system of a civet cat? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Hell yeah.
I tried Kopi Luwak coffee… and I think you should too.
What Is Kopi Luwak Coffee?
Kopi luwak coffee beans are eaten by Asian Palm Civet Cats (while they’re inside the coffee cherry). During digestion, the chemical makeup of the beans change to form a unique flavor experience.
Pure Kopi Luwak, the company whose beans I tried, partners with coffee farmers who walk their farm and collect the coffee beans from the cat droppings over time. They’re then dried and roasted, like all other coffee beans.
Why is Kopi Luwak Coffee So Expensive?
The main reason Kopi Luwak coffee is so expensive is due to supply and demand. Everyone wants to taste this exotic coffee, but there’s not much to go around due to the limited amount of Kopi Luwak that a civet cat can produce.
This slow, natural process means the Kopi Luwak coffee beans are pricey – $100+ per bag, pricey (no, really). That may sound crazy – and it is a little bit – but it’s also just supply and demand.
This no-cage, sustainable process allows the civet cats to eat at their own pace and keeps them out of captivity. (Some less-than-ethical companies manage ‘civet farms’ where they force-feed civet cats for higher yield).
Good News: Kopi Luwak Coffee Has Extra Health Benefits
Coffee is already super healthy – as long as you’re drinking it black! But since Kopi Luwak goes through an extra chemical process, there are some extra benefits.
Here’s what Pure Kopi Luwak says:
Get Smarter
Kopi Luwak’s sky-high levels of inositol strengthen neural connections and boost your nervous system.
Live Longer
Kopi Luwak combats kidney stones, defends against osteoporosis, and increases iron absorption, helping you stay stronger and live longer.
Feel Better
Kopi Luwak enhances your cells’ mitochondria directly, giving you a long-lasting energy boost without the caffeine crash.
Delicious Flavor
Civet coffee is naturally sweet, rich, and creamy, so you can say no to milk and sugar.
Zero Pesticides
That’s why we call it Pure—every one of our beans is shade-grown and pesticide-free.
100% Wild
Sustainability is our top priority, so we collect all of our beans from the droppings of wild civets.
I Tasted Cat Poop Coffee. Here’s What Kopi Luwak Tastes Like.
I tried the Civet cat coffee with four family members – all coffee snobs. We brewed up a Hario V60 and gave it a taste.
At first, we tasted a smooth dark chocolate and earthy base flavor, paired with a gentle sweetness. It was very similar to other Southeast Asian coffee’s we’ve tried (Thailand, Laos) – pleasant and mild.
But then something amazing happened.
As the coffee cooled, we began to taste an unmistakable minty, coriander coolness. It wasn’t quite like sucking on a peppermint candy, but the sensation was there.
It lingered, too. I could still feel that gentle-minty freshness on my tongue for half an hour after I finished the cup.
It was unlike any coffee I’ve ever tasted.
What are the Best Kopi Luwak Coffees?
| Best Kopi Luwak Coffee | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cafés Granell Wild Kopi Luwak Coffee | Best Overall |  | 3.5 oz. 100% free-range wild Luwaks Whole Bean Medium Roast | $108.98 |
Volcanica Kopi Luwak Coffee | Upgrade Pick |  | 16 oz. 100% Wild Gathered Cage-Free Whole Bean Certified Kosher Medium Roast | DEAL ALERT – Save $50 $399.99 |
Shangri-La Coffee | Budget Pick |  | 16 oz. Kopi Luwak and Arabica Blend Wild Ethically Sourced Whole Bean or Ground Medium Roast | $59.99 |
Kopi Luwak Coffee Review: 9/10
If you’re a coffee lover who wants to explore the outer bounds of exotic coffee flavor (or know someone who does), you can’t go wrong with Kopi Luwak.
At $100+ per 1 lb bag, it’s not cheap. However, it’s healthy, ethical, and exceptionally flavorful.
Hi Garrett,
I have heard all about Kopi Luwak coffee, but never had the guts to really try it.
Live longer? Get Smarter? really?