civet coffee

Feline-processed brew

Civet coffee is coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet, a cat-like mammal.

The civet eats ripe coffee cherries; enzymes in its gut ferment the beans, supposedly producing a smoother, less bitter flavor.

Also called kopi luwak.

It commands high prices, though critics question both its taste and the ethics of civet farming.

production

digestive enzymes

Food-processing biological catalysts

fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
droppingsAnimal excrement deposits
beansEdible pod seeds

roasting · processing · collection · Indonesia · Sumatra · Java · Philippines · Vietnam · arabica · robusta

ethics

animal welfare

Non-human health and treatment

captive breedingReproducing animals under human care
exploitationSelfish use of others
crueltyDeliberate harm-causing disposition

certification · authenticity · fraud · counterfeit · sustainability · regulation · awareness · boycott · humane · free-range

luxury

expensive

Costing much money

exclusiveLimited to one group
premiumAdded cost for better
gourmetConnoisseur of fine cuisine

rare · connoisseur · prestige · indulgence · specialty · artisanal · high-end · elite · opulence · splurge

beverage

aroma

Pleasant distinctive smell

brewSteeped or fermented drink
cuppingSkin suction healing method
espressoConcentrated pressurized brew

filter · pour-over · grind · earthy · smooth · mellow · chocolatey · caramel · musty · complex

Opposites

production method

civet coffeeinstant coffee

Powdered caffeinated drink

regular coffee · Folgers · Maxwell House · drip coffee · Nescafé

price and exclusivity

civet coffeefree coffee

Unpaid caffeinated beverage

ethical status

civet coffeefair trade coffee

Justly compensated grower beans

shade-grown coffee

Family

civet, civets, coffee, coffees, coffeehouse, coffeehouses, coffeepot, coffeepots

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G