Kopi Luwak coffee comes from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, an area well-known for its excellent coffee. Also native to the area is a small civit-like animal called a Paradoxurus. That is the scientific name, the locals call them luwaks. These little mammals live in the trees and one of their favorite foods is the red, ripe coffee cherry. They eat the cherries, bean and all. While the bean is in the little guys stomach, the Luwak know exactly by smell which coffee bean is exactly ripe, and ready to eat, it then undergoes a chemical treatments and fermentations in his stomage. The bean finishes its journey through the digestive system, and exits. The still-intact beans are collected from the forest floor, and are cleaned, then roasted and ground just like any other coffee. The resulting coffee is said to be like no other. It has a rich, heavy flavour with hints of caramel or chocolate. Other terms used to describe it are earthy, musty and exotic. The body is almost syrupy and it is very smooth.
The most talked about Kopi Luwak Coffee because of the rarity of this coffee, the price is quite outrageous. You are paying for the experience of enjoying such an unusual and rare delicacy as well as a spectacular cup of coffee. You may have seen Kopi Luwak on the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, where it is actor Jack Nicholson`s beverage of choice and he carries a supply with him wherever he goes. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured this coffee as well.
Because of the rarity of this coffee, the price is quite outrageous. If you can find a vendor, the current cost for a pound of Kopi Luwak is around $300 or more. Some more adventurous coffee houses are selling it by the cup, but you will not likely find it at your local coffee shop just yet.
