Do you ever wonder where your coffee comes from?
Brace yourself for a fascinating journey into the world of animal excrement. Yes, you heard that right – coffee beans from poop.
But which animal produces these unique beans? Is it a monkey or a cat? Prepare to be enlightened as we delve into civets and their peculiar taste in snacks.
Discover why people are willing to sip on this unusual brew and unlock the secrets behind this intriguing phenomenon.
Table of Contents
- Is There A Cat That Eats Coffee Beans?
- Kopi Luwak Coffee Beans
- What Animal Poops Coffee Beans? Is It A Monkey Or Cat?
- What Is A Civet?
- Why Do Coffee Connoisseurs Drink Civet Coffee?
- What Do These Coffee Beans Taste Like?
- What Is The Kopi Luwak Coffee Production Process?
- Are Wild Civets Kept In Captivity For This Coffee?
- Conclusion
Is There A Cat That Eats Coffee Beans?
Do you know if there’s a cat that eats coffee beans? Well, the answer is yes! There is an animal called the Asian palm civet, also known as the Luwak, that consumes coffee cherries and passes them through its digestive system.
The result is a unique type of coffee known as Kopi Luwak. This cat-like creature primarily resides in Southeast Asia and has been a part of the coffee industry for centuries.
The Luwak’s diet consists of various fruits, including coffee cherries, which it finds irresistible. After consuming the cherries, enzymes in the stomach ferment the beans during digestion. Eventually, these partially digested beans are excreted by the animal.
Kopi Luwak Coffee Beans
Once collected from their droppings, these beans go through a thorough cleaning and roasting process to ensure they are safe for consumption. Despite its unusual origins, many coffee enthusiasts consider Kopi Luwak a delicacy with a distinct taste profile characterized by low acidity and smoothness.
What Animal Poops Coffee Beans? Is It A Monkey Or Cat?
While it’s commonly debated, many believe the animal responsible for producing these unique coffee beans is the civet. These beans are known as kopi luwak or civet coffee and are regarded as one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
Here are four fascinating facts about this peculiar coffee:
- The civet cat, also known as a weasel cat, plays a crucial role in the production process by consuming ripe coffee cherries.
- After digestion, the beans go through fermentation in the civet’s stomach enzymes, resulting in distinctive flavors and aromas.
- Once excreted, these precious beans are meticulously collected from the civets’ feces.
- Vietnam is famous for its Vietnamese Weasel Coffee, a variation made using this unusual method.
Although controversial due to concerns over animal welfare and sustainability, kopi luwak remains sought after by coffee connoisseurs fascinated by its unique origins and taste profile.
What Is A Civet?
The civet is a small mammal crucial in producing kopi luwak coffee. Found in Southeast Asia, this nocturnal creature belongs to the Viverridae family and is known for its unique digestive system. Civets consume ripe coffee cherries, digesting the fleshy pulp while their enzymes ferment the beans. After excretion, these fermented beans are collected, thoroughly washed, and roasted to produce one of the world’s most expensive coffees.

Here is a table that showcases some interesting facts about civets:
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Scientific name | Paradoxurus hermaphroditus |
Habitat | Dense forests |
Diet | Omnivorous – feeds on fruits, insects, small mammals |
Civets contribute to the distinctive taste of kopi luwak coffee by altering the beans’ chemical composition during digestion. Although controversial due to animal welfare concerns surrounding captive civet farms, this coffee remains popular among enthusiasts seeking a unique and rare experience.
Why Do Coffee Connoisseurs Drink Civet Coffee?
You might wonder why people drink this expensive and unique coffee. Well, the answer lies in its exquisite taste and the fascinating process behind it.
The coffee we’re talking about is called civet coffee or Kopi Luwak. It’s made from the beans eaten and excreted by Asian palm civets, small mammals native to Southeast Asia.
People are willing to spend a premium on this type of coffee because of its distinct flavor profile. During digestion, enzymes in the civet’s stomach break down proteins in the coffee cherries, resulting in a smoother and less bitter taste. This natural fermentation process enhances the flavors and gives the coffee a unique aroma.
Furthermore, due to limited supply and high demand, civet coffee has become a luxury item favored by connoisseurs worldwide. Some believe that consuming these rare beans symbolizes exclusivity and sophistication.
What Do These Coffee Beans Taste Like?
The taste of civet coffee is often described as smooth, rich, and complex, with a hint of chocolate and a slightly earthy flavor. Some coffee connoisseurs also note a subtly fruity or floral taste, depending on the region where the beans were grown.
However, it’s worth noting that the taste of civet coffee can vary depending on several factors, including the type of coffee bean used, the diet and health of the civet cat, and the processing methods used to prepare the beans for roasting.
Despite its unique flavor profile, civet coffee is also controversial due to the inhumane treatment of civet cats in some parts of the world. As a result, many coffee lovers choose to avoid civet coffee and opt for other specialty coffees with similar flavor profiles.
What Is The Kopi Luwak Coffee Production Process?
The production process of Kopi Luwak involves several steps:
- Harvesting: The coffee cherries are harvested from coffee trees and collected by farmers.
- Feeding: The coffee cherries are fed to civet cats, who eat the fruit but cannot digest the beans.
- Excretion: The civet cats excrete the coffee beans, which farmers collect.
- Cleaning: The coffee beans are cleaned and washed to remove any remaining fruit or debris.
- Drying: The coffee beans are dried in the sun or using a mechanical dryer.
- Roasting: The coffee beans are roasted to bring out their unique flavor profile.
- Grinding: The coffee beans are ground into a fine powder.
- Brewing: The coffee powder is brewed using hot water to make a cup of Kopi Luwak coffee.
It’s worth noting that the production process of Kopi Luwak has been controversial due to the inhumane treatment of civet cats in some parts of the world. As a result, many coffee lovers choose to avoid civet coffee and opt for other specialty coffees with similar flavor profiles.
Are Wild Civets Kept In Captivity For This Coffee?
Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, civets are kept in captivity to produce Kopi Luwak coffee. This practice is often associated with the inhumane treatment of animals, including small cages, poor nutrition, and a lack of veterinary care.
Civet cats are wild animals not suited for captivity, and the stress of being kept in small cages can lead to health problems and even death. In addition, the conditions in which the civets are kept can also hurt the quality of the coffee beans they produce.
Not all Kopi Luwak coffee is produced this way, and some producers use ethical and sustainable methods to collect the coffee beans. These producers allow the civets to roam freely in their natural habitats and collect the coffee beans from their droppings in the wild.
If you want to try Kopi Luwak coffee, it’s important to research and chooses a producer that uses ethical and sustainable methods. By supporting responsible producers, you can help to promote the humane treatment of animals and protect the environment.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the mysterious tale of coffee beans found in poop. Now you know that not a cat but a monkey, specifically a civet, produces these unique beans.
People are drawn to this peculiar coffee because of its distinct flavor and rarity. It’s like sipping on a cup of adventure, with each sip transporting you to the lush jungles where these exotic creatures roam.
So, next time you sip your favorite brew, remember the fascinating journey those beans took to reach your cup. Cheers!

Mike Shaw
Mike is a fervent aficionado of all things coffee. His journey has taken him from the verdant coffee farms of South America to the vibrant coffeehouses of Europe and many places in between. Over the years, he's delved deep into the intricate tapestry of coffee, savoring, brewing, and analyzing myriad varieties. For Mike, coffee transcends its role as a morning energizer; it's a world waiting to be explored and cherished.