What’s More Expensive Than the World’s Most Expensive Coffee?

Ever been asked what the world’s most expensive coffee is? If you said ‘Blue Mountain’ or ‘Kopi Luwak,’ you’re either behind the times—or just parroting tourist-shop lore. There’s a far rarer, far more expensive coffee that very few people have even heard of: a bizarre variation of Kopi Luwak known colloquially as ‘cat vomit coffee.’

The short answer? The world’s actual most expensive coffee isn’t Blue Mountain or even standard Kopi Luwak. It’s a rare variant where the Asian palm civet eats the coffee cherry, then vomits the beans—yes, vomits. It’s called ‘cat vomit coffee’ and costs around $1,200 per kilogram, roughly $200 more per kg than regular Kopi Luwak. Annual production? Just 10 kilograms worldwide.

What Is ‘Cat Vomit Coffee’?

Despite the crude nickname, ‘cat vomit coffee’ refers to a real, albeit extremely obscure, coffee bean. Like Kopi Luwak, it starts when an Asian palm civet (locally called Luwak) consumes ripe coffee cherries. But in this version, instead of passing the beans through its digestive tract normally, the animal vomits them back up. The beans are then collected, cleaned, and processed for roasting. It’s essentially a strange natural fermentation process—but one that’s far less predictable and much rarer than standard Luwak digestion.

How Much Does It Cost?

The price tag tells the story: while high-grade Kopi Luwak typically sells for around $1,000 per kilogram, this vomit-processed variant goes for approximately $1,200 per kilogram. That’s about 20% more expensive, due to its extreme rarity and unusual production method. With an estimated global annual output of just 10 kilograms, it’s not just expensive—it’s practically unobtainable for most coffee drinkers.

What Makes It Different?

According to available descriptions, the physical characteristics of ‘cat vomit coffee’ beans are surprisingly similar to regular Kopi Luwak. The bean shells are very clean, and the raw (green) bean color shows little to no difference. However, since no one (including the original Chinese source) has publicly documented tasting notes, the flavor profile remains unknown. What is clear is the process: vomiting instead of normal digestion leads to a different kind of fermentation, though exactly how that affects cup quality is undocumented.

Why Does This Even Exist?

This coffee exists due to the natural behavior of the Asian palm civet. While most Kopi Luwak beans are excreted through the usual digestive route—which is already unusual—this variant results from the animal vomiting the beans instead. Why some beans are vomited and others excreted isn’t well understood, adding to the mystery and rarity. The result is an ultra-niche product that’s as much a curiosity as it is a luxury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive coffee in the world?

While Blue Mountain and Kopi Luwak are often cited, the most expensive known coffee is ‘cat vomit coffee,’ a variant of Kopi Luwak where beans are vomited by the Asian palm civet instead of being excreted. It costs around $1,200 per kilogram.

How much does cat vomit coffee cost?

Cat vomit coffee is priced at approximately $1,200 per kilogram, which is about $200 more expensive than regular Kopi Luwak.

How many kilograms of cat vomit coffee are produced each year?

The annual production of cat vomit coffee is estimated to be just 10 kilograms worldwide, making it extremely rare.

What’s the difference between Kopi Luwak and cat vomit coffee?

Both come from beans eaten by the Asian palm civet, but cat vomit coffee is produced when the civet vomits the beans instead of passing them through its digestive system. This results in a different fermentation process and even greater rarity.

What does cat vomit coffee taste like?

The taste of cat vomit coffee is not documented in the source material. While the beans appear similar in cleanliness and color to Kopi Luwak, no sensory data or tasting notes are available.

Why is cat vomit coffee so rare?

Its rarity comes from the unpredictable and uncommon behavior of the Asian palm civet vomiting the beans, along with the extremely limited production of just 10 kilograms per year globally.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Specialty Coffee Lovers

For those curious about rare and exquisite coffees, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, known for its vibrant florals and juicy stone fruit notes, or the Kenya Little Tomato, offering bright acidity and tart berry complexity. Both are single-origin beans that showcase the diversity and depth of well-processed specialty coffee—without the need for civet involvement. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.