Why is Luwak so expensive?
Civet coffee (commonly known as kopi luwak) is the most expensive coffee in the world because a combination of extreme rarity, unusual production process, strong marketing mystique, and perceived novelty value drives willingness to pay far above ordinary specialty coffee prices. Key factors: Unique production chain. Kopi” is the Bahasa Indonesian word for “coffee,” while “luwak” is what the Asian palm civet is called in Sumatra. Kopi Luwak is also called civet coffee in the West. It’s a kind of drink made from coffee beans that are excreted whole by an animal called a civet cat. In simpler words, it’s cat poop coffee.Kopi Luwak is the world’s most exclusive (and most expensive) coffee. The main factor of its high price is the uncommon method of production. It is produced from coffee beans which have been partially digested by the Indonesian palm civet and then excreted. Yes, it sounds kind of gross, but not to worry!It has a distinct, bold flavor that few have the pleasure of trying in their lifetime. This is why many speculators have been wondering when Starbucks will offer its own spin on kopi luwak, bringing one of the most exclusive coffees on the planet to the masses. So far, though, they have chosen not to.Kopi luwak is made from coffee beans plucked from civets’ feces. This is bad news for civets. It’s the world’s most expensive coffee, and it’s made from poop. Or rather, it’s made from coffee beans that are partially digested and then pooped out by the civet, a catlike creature.
Why is luwak so expensive?
Kopi luwak production involves a great deal of labour, whether farmed or wild-gathered. The small production quantity and the labor involved in production contribute to the coffee’s high cost. It has a distinct, bold flavor that few have the pleasure of trying in their lifetime. This is why many speculators have been wondering when Starbucks will offer its own spin on kopi luwak, bringing one of the most exclusive coffees on the planet to the masses. So far, though, they have chosen not to.