An Animal That Poops Gourmet Coffee:
Say Hello to the Civet: The Maker of $600 Coffee
Yes, it's true -- this mammal, native to Africa and Asia, is responsible for
pooping out the world's most expensive coffee, called Kopi Luwak. Civets are
fed coffee cherries, and during digestion the animal's enzymes mix with the
coffee beans before they, ahem, pass through, giving the beans a unique, bitter
taste. See how it all happens...
The Cherries Are Chosen
A farmer in East Java, Indonesia, picks coffee cherries to feed the civets.
A Whole Team at Work: Hand-Picking the Cherries
The Civet Approaches.. .
...Gets Ready to Dig In...
...And Is Joined by Friends for Dinner
Gathering the Dung With Gloves...
In East Java, workers use gloves to clear the results of the feast.
That Ain't Peanuts and Nougat.
Civet poop before it's turned into the coffee.
Separating It and Washing It Off
Another Step in Production
A worker displays the distinct, cleaned-off beans.
The Very Expensive End Result
Pictured: Coffee Alamid, one Philippine brand. Because a very limited supply is
produced each year, civit coffee can cost up to $600 per pound.
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