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Bad sides of Luwak coffee

Kopi Luwak is still the world’s most expensive coffee, costing around $420 per pound. Some say the coffee beans that have been through the civet’s digestive tract have a pleasant aftertaste, while others say it’s probably simply a marketing ploy.
Coffee cherries, the fruit that yields coffee beans, are frequently fed to captive civets. Fruit, insects, and reptiles are among the foods they eat in the wild. It’s the most expensive coffee on the planet, and it’s crap. It’s created from partially digested coffee beans subsequently spat out by the civet, a cat-like creature.
How are Luwak coffee beans formed?

Kopi luwak, commonly known as Vietnamese weasel coffee, is prepared from civet beans that have been consumed and expelled. This Luwak coffee processing technique does not appear to be particularly hygienic. 

Wild civets leave undigested coffee beans in their droppings, gathered as kopi luwak beans. This can only be accomplished by following in the footsteps of a civet. However, as the demand for kopi luwak grows, more individuals raise captive civets to maintain a consistent supply of civet coffee. The wrong sides of Luwak coffee include several aspects such as:

Civets in captivity

The civets must be captured in the wild. Previously, only such common palm civet was captured and used to make kopi luwak, but this has now expanded to include all types of civets. Poachers are catching enormous numbers of civets as demand for kopi luwak rises, posing a danger to the wild civet population. 

The capacity of the inmates to act like regular civets is affected by the size and sanitation of the cages. Every Luwak coffee farm fails to meet basic animal welfare standards. This causes very underweight civets (because of a restricted diet of solely coffee cherries) and fat civets (due to their inability to move freely). Because of the enormous amount of caffeine they are compelled to take, the civets are excessively agitated and restless in all circumstances.

Less biodegradable
The captured civets are then housed in miniature battery cages. Cages are layered on top of each other to reduce the space needed. On multiple levels, this is an issue. Civets are cautious, reclusive creatures that sleep in deep foliage during the day and hunt at night.

The stress of having so many civets in such a tiny space might lead to stereotyped behavior like pacing, fighting, and even paw chewing. They are also confined in bare cages and do not have a comfortable area to relax throughout the day.

The popularity of Luwak coffee has spawned a slew of animal-based spin-offs. Elephant, monkey, and even bird excrement are used to make coffee beans. You’re endorsing the maltreatment of other animals in the business by buying a cup of Luwak coffee.

You won't get the authentic Luwak in most cases

Today, more than 80% of all coffee sold as Kopi Luwak is fraudulent. Even if you could locate 100 percent genuine Luwak feces, the commercial cultivation procedure results in a defective product. As a result, that costly coffee you’re enjoying is probably simply a warm cup of dummy. 

Only the best coffee beans are produced because wild Luwak can choose and choose the greatest coffee cherries to eat. When you feed luwaks any ordinary coffee cherry, it’s tough to recreate that process at scale. The fact is that locating approved items may be difficult. If you buy coffee, it’s more likely to come from a caged plantation than from a wild Luwak enterprise.

Risk for other animals and birds

Supporting Kopi Luwak’s concept led to the animals being captured and imprisoned. It is self-evident that cultural practices are a way of life and history for the indigenous people. However, supporting any activity on a big scale always leads to captivity and abuse. It has the potential to endanger not just civets but also other creatures. Once this immoral concept gains traction, it won’t be long until people forget about ethical and unethical animal care.

There are always two sides to every story, and the positives often lead to the downsides. There are many more ways to help a community without contributing to the commercialization that greed and power seek. To conserve civets and other wildlife, stop buying Luwak coffee. You will also make a significant contribution to the environment.

Silta Asia Oy is the Finnish company that offers customized coffee to businesses and consumers. We support the Wildlife Alliance and contribute a portion of our profits to help stop the producing of captive Kopi luwak coffee.

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