[Kopi Luwak]

I encountered “kopi luwak” in Indonesia. Coffee lovers may already be familiar with it, but I would like to share my surprise at seeing and hearing about it for the first time. Indonesia, a coffee-producing country, introduced coffee beans during the Dutch colonial era and has cultivated them across more than 10,000 islands, utilizing the unique characteristics of each region. With its volcanic soil and tropical climate, Indonesia has fertile land and consistent humidity year-round, making it ideal for coffee cultivation. Indonesia is truly part of the coffee belt, and it now ranks as the world's third-largest producer after Brazil and Vietnam.

Among this coffee-producing powerhouse, “kopi luwak” is considered a rare and valuable commodity. In Indonesian, “kopi” means coffee, and “luwak” refers to the civet cat. Typically, coffee cherries are processed artificially after harvest, but kopi luwak is processed by passing through the civet's digestive system. Wild civets eat ripe, high-quality coffee cherries, and the beans are processed and excreted within their bodies. The beans undergo fermentation due to the digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria in the civet's intestines, resulting in high-quality beans with a unique aroma and flavor. The coffee beans excreted with the feces are thoroughly washed, sun-dried, and manually peeled one by one to avoid crushing them with machinery, which would release acidity. The beans are then roasted. The finished beans can be eaten as is, and the coffee is mild in acidity, bitterness, and caffeine content, resulting in a very smooth flavor.

Still, why go to such lengths? It's natural to wonder. It's related to Indonesia's history. At the time, the coffee cultivated by local farmers was exploited by the Dutch government for export purposes, leaving no coffee for the farmers to consume personally. They discovered that coffee beans remained undigested in the feces of wild civet cats and began processing and drinking them. Eventually, the Dutch colonial rulers noticed this and were amazed by its deliciousness! Is it the people who discovered it that are amazing, or the power of fermentation? Either way, it's truly astonishing.

However, the rarity of this coffee has driven up its value, leading not only to farmers and shops selling the natural product but also to situations where wild civet cats are captured and forced into harsh breeding environments to increase production. This is the complex and somewhat sad reality behind the discovery of kopi luwak. As we learned more about this background, we were reminded of the importance of thoroughly understanding the product and its producers, and reevaluating our consumption habits. Indonesia offers a wealth of delicious coffee that doesn't pass through the civet's body. The streets are dotted with charming cafes and specialty shops, and with various regions producing coffee, comparing different varieties is a delightful experience. We encourage you to try Indonesian coffee as well.

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Ichiyougama's Mug
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References
https://maruco.co.jp/taishacoffee/indonesia-coffee/http://www.nichibeicoffee.co.jp/blog/?p=191
https://www.kopi-loewak.com/history-kopiluwa
https://www.eva.or.jp/Kopiluwak