What is kopi luwak?
It is one of the world's most expensive coffees, and it is found only in
Indonesia. And if you are a serious coffee lover, you must try this when visiting this part of the world.
You may have seen Luwak Coffee being sold or even tried it, but let me tell you about this exclusive and unique coffee that has intrigued the world since its introduction.
The funny part about this coffee is that the coffee berries are eaten by the local Asian civet cat and passed through the digestive system before coming out as droppings and then processed to be this high-grade coffee.
Does that sound disgusting? Yes and no. I went on a coffee hunt around Southeast Asia, trying some of the region's best coffee from Borneo, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam. Finally, I had my chance to try this exquisite coffee during my Bali trip in June 2011.
You may have seen Luwak Coffee being sold or even tried it, but let me tell you about this exclusive and unique coffee that has intrigued the world since its introduction.
Kopi Luwak Coffee in Bali
The funny part about this coffee is that the coffee berries are eaten by the local Asian civet cat and passed through the digestive system before coming out as droppings and then processed to be this high-grade coffee.
Does that sound disgusting? Yes and no. I went on a coffee hunt around Southeast Asia, trying some of the region's best coffee from Borneo, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam. Finally, I had my chance to try this exquisite coffee during my Bali trip in June 2011.
After
hearing mixed reviews of this exclusive and unique coffee from friends
and travellers, judging this exceptional Indonesian coffee was finally up to me.
So, during my Bali trip, every other local person I met would ask where I could get some Kopi Luwak (pronounced as Co-Pee Loo-Wark), and most of the time, the answer would be 'everywhere' from souvenir shops to cafes and even to coffee farms. So, my quest began.
So, during my Bali trip, every other local person I met would ask where I could get some Kopi Luwak (pronounced as Co-Pee Loo-Wark), and most of the time, the answer would be 'everywhere' from souvenir shops to cafes and even to coffee farms. So, my quest began.
Luwak Coffee is sold in packets.
My Kopi Luwak Journey
After many conversations with taxi drivers, tour guides and even hotel concierges, I visited a small drink stall serving locals near the Uluwatu Temple in Bali.
A reasonably large sign showed that they sold Coffee Luwak and various other coffees and teas; I did not hesitate and ordered a cup of this.
Was I excited? I was ecstatic! It was the highlight of my coffee quest, and when the cup came, I could smell the pungent aroma.
My personal guide laughed at me as he had never seen someone so thrilled to see a cup of coffee. Before drinking this, I had to take a photo, and then the intense magical moment came.
After many conversations with taxi drivers, tour guides and even hotel concierges, I visited a small drink stall serving locals near the Uluwatu Temple in Bali.
A reasonably large sign showed that they sold Coffee Luwak and various other coffees and teas; I did not hesitate and ordered a cup of this.
Was I excited? I was ecstatic! It was the highlight of my coffee quest, and when the cup came, I could smell the pungent aroma.
My personal guide laughed at me as he had never seen someone so thrilled to see a cup of coffee. Before drinking this, I had to take a photo, and then the intense magical moment came.
The minute the coffee touched my lips, I felt something surreal that only I could experience after trying the many types of coffee from around the region. It was solid yet aromatic in its own way.
I could not pass immediate judgment; therefore, I slowly sipped it to flavour the roast and after-sensation. It was good—so good that I finished the cup in mere minutes. I looked into the bottom of the cup and was surprised that it showed coffee residue.
Was the water not to boiling temperature? It could have been, according to my guide, and therefore, he took it to the shop lady to have half a cup of boiling hot water added, and I had my fill of one and a half cups of this fantastic coffee.
I could not pass immediate judgment; therefore, I slowly sipped it to flavour the roast and after-sensation. It was good—so good that I finished the cup in mere minutes. I looked into the bottom of the cup and was surprised that it showed coffee residue.
Was the water not to boiling temperature? It could have been, according to my guide, and therefore, he took it to the shop lady to have half a cup of boiling hot water added, and I had my fill of one and a half cups of this fantastic coffee.
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| Real Luak Coffee will cost more than your regular coffee. |
How Much Is Luwak Coffee?
Kopi Luwak cost around 50,000 Rupiahs or US $5.60 a cup, which was well worth it. The stall even sold sachets of this at the same price, where each pack would make you one cup of coffee.
Expensive? Some may think so, but if you genuinely enjoy exotic coffee, you would easily fork out that money for the experience, which could be a rare opportunity.
A pound of Luwak coffee can cost anywhere from US$100 to $600. However, if you can afford it, it makes a great souvenir for friends and family.
Kopi Luwak cost around 50,000 Rupiahs or US $5.60 a cup, which was well worth it. The stall even sold sachets of this at the same price, where each pack would make you one cup of coffee.
Expensive? Some may think so, but if you genuinely enjoy exotic coffee, you would easily fork out that money for the experience, which could be a rare opportunity.
A pound of Luwak coffee can cost anywhere from US$100 to $600. However, if you can afford it, it makes a great souvenir for friends and family.
Coffee shop selling Kopi Luwak.
Where
to find Kopi Luwak in Bali
Many places around Bali and throughout Indonesia sell Luwak Coffee. You have to ask about this, and your best bet is to talk to the locals or your reliable tour guide.
While most souvenir shops and supermarkets sell them, you should be careful as many Luwak are just knock-offs and not the real thing. The Bali airport also sells them, and these are genuine.
One of the best options is to go on a Kopi Luwak Farm Tour, where they bring you to see how the entire process is done. Some travel agents sell these unique coffee tours here.
You get to experience seeing the civet cats, going through the beans' cleaning process, and then tasting the finished product. I should have gone for this, but time did not permit it, so on my next trip to Bali, a farm visit is at the top of my itinerary.
Many places around Bali and throughout Indonesia sell Luwak Coffee. You have to ask about this, and your best bet is to talk to the locals or your reliable tour guide.
While most souvenir shops and supermarkets sell them, you should be careful as many Luwak are just knock-offs and not the real thing. The Bali airport also sells them, and these are genuine.
One of the best options is to go on a Kopi Luwak Farm Tour, where they bring you to see how the entire process is done. Some travel agents sell these unique coffee tours here.
You get to experience seeing the civet cats, going through the beans' cleaning process, and then tasting the finished product. I should have gone for this, but time did not permit it, so on my next trip to Bali, a farm visit is at the top of my itinerary.
Remains of the thick coffee Luwak.
Other Popular Coffee from Southeast Asia
During my travels, my favourite coffee from Southeast Asia was Lao Coffee, one of Laos's strongest and most widely found.
When you travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, and look for authentic places to sell Weasel Coffee in Hanoi, you should take advantage of the Weasel Coffee.
Over on the island of Borneo, the most unique Bottled Coffee in Sabah is a must-try for any coffee lover. These black coffees are put into bottles and refrigerated before being served. Totally mind-blowing for any coffee lover.
In Malaysia, many local brewers in smaller towns produce quality cups of coffee, like the famous Ipoh White Coffee in the state of Perak and, of course, the famous Tenom Coffee in Sabah Borneo.
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| Tenom Coffee from Sabah Borneo. |
They include the Kopi Muncak, made from the barking deer's dung, and the famous Kape (Barako Coffee) from the Philippines. I would love to hear your opinion on whether you have tried the above.
Conclusion
I have always found local coffee much more interesting than trendy cafe-style coffee like Starbucks and Coffee Bean; I would explore the
many coffee shops around here, especially those that roast their own
beans for business.
Travelling around Southeast Asia allowed me to try each of the country's local brews, and one of the best I have tried to date is the Kopi Luwak Coffee in Bali, Indonesia.
Travelling around Southeast Asia allowed me to try each of the country's local brews, and one of the best I have tried to date is the Kopi Luwak Coffee in Bali, Indonesia.