Kopi Luwak Officially Opens in Hainan’s Fushan Coffee Town

When coffee lovers talk about unique brews, few drinks spark as much curiosity — and controversy — as Kopi Luwak, the famed Indonesian civet coffee. But beyond the lore, how did this coffee, brewed from beans eaten and excreted by civets, find its way into a new coffee destination in southern China? The answer lies in a growing convergence of global coffee culture and regional tourism.

Kopi Luwak officially launched its first licensed café in China on May 29, settling into the Fushan Coffee Culture Town in Chengmai, Hainan. This arrival follows the conclusion of the third annual Fushan Cup International Barista Championship, which drew elite baristas from 12 countries and regions.

The Fushan Cup: Where Coffee Meets Competition

Held on May 29 in Fushan Coffee Culture Town, the third Fushan Cup International Barista Championship saw 12 national and regional champion baristas compete in front of judges, crafting espressos in under five minutes. Competitors demonstrated technical skill and shared insights on coffee creativity, while attendees — including many international visitors — captured the action on cameras and phones. The event highlighted not just skill, but also sensory engagement with diverse global beans and brewing setups.

A Growing Hub for Global Coffee Culture

Beyond the competition, Fushan Coffee Culture Town has become a magnet for coffee tourism. Since its inception, the Fushan Cup has evolved into both a competitive stage and a branded attraction. Each year, it draws top baristas whose presence boosts local foot traffic and fosters cross-cultural exchange. The event’s rising profile has also attracted exhibitors from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and India, further diversifying the coffee offerings on display.

Kopi Luwak Comes to Hainan

On the same day as the competition, Indonesia’s Hua Han Na Coffee Company officially entered the market in Hainan through a licensed Kopi Luwak café — the brand’s first in the province. Though details on the specific beans or processing methods used were not disclosed, the presence signals a push to introduce this iconic, albeit polarizing, Indonesian coffee variety to Chinese audiences. Kopi Luwak originates from the archipelago’s rich, tropical coffee-growing regions, often involving the Asian palm civet.

Why Indonesia Produces Such Distinct Coffee

Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer, is made up of over 17,000 islands. Its equatorial, tropical climate — with consistent temperatures between 25°C and 27°C and distinct wet and dry seasons — offers ideal conditions for coffee. The country’s volcanic soils, dense forests, and numerous rivers further enhance its terroir. Most famously, Sumatra’s high-altitude regions like Gayo (Aceh) and Lake Toba’s Lintong area grow beans between 1,100m and 1,600m using the wet-hulled or Giling Basah process. This method contributes to the earthy, spicy, and herbal profiles typical of Mandheling coffees.

What Sets Sumatran Coffee Apart

Sumatran coffees, especially those from Lintong and Gayo, are renowned for processing methods that create low-acidity, full-bodied cups. The wet-hulled technique leaves beans with a deep greenish-blue hue and contributes to their signature herbal, woody, and sometimes spicy notes. FrontStreet Coffee’s Lintong Mandheling offers spice, black chocolate, and caramel tones, with a sweet finish. Their PWN Golden Mandheling, meanwhile, is a meticulously hand-selected offering with notes of toast, cedar, cocoa, and a lasting caramelized sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kopi Luwak and where did it originate?

Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civets, typically the Asian palm civet. It originated in Indonesia, where the practice began on coffee plantations where civets would consume ripe coffee cherries. The beans, once fermented in the animal’s digestive tract, are collected, cleaned, and roasted. This method is most associated with the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi.

Where is Fushan Coffee Culture Town located?

Fushan Coffee Culture Town is located in Chengmai County, Hainan Province, in southern China. It serves as a hub for coffee culture, hosting events like the Fushan Cup International Barista Championship and featuring coffee-themed tourism experiences.

What makes Sumatran coffee different from other origins?

Sumatran coffee, particularly from regions like Lintong and Gayo, is known for its low acidity, full body, and distinctive earthy, herbal, and spicy flavor notes. These characteristics come from the wet-hulled (Giling Basah) processing method and the high-altitude, volcanic soil environment where the beans are grown.

Has Kopi Luwak been commercially available in China before?

While Kopi Luwak has been sold in niche markets across China, the May 29, 2024 opening in Fushan Coffee Culture Town marks the first official, licensed Kopi Luwak café in Hainan. It is operated by Indonesia’s Hua Han Na Coffee Company.

What other Indonesian coffees are well known in specialty markets?

Indonesia is well known for its Mandheling coffees, particularly those from Lintong and Gayo. FrontStreet Coffee offers Lintong Mandheling with notes of spice, black chocolate, and caramel, and the PWN Golden Mandheling, which is a premium, handpicked lot with flavors of toast, cedar, cocoa, and sweet caramel.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Indonesian Coffee Fans

Try FrontStreet’s Lintong Mandheling for its spicy, black chocolate, and caramel notes, or explore their PWN Golden Mandheling, a meticulously selected bean with flavors of toast, pine, cocoa, and lasting caramel sweetness. Both showcase the earthy depth typical of Sumatran coffees and are excellent representations of Indonesia’s unique wet-hulled processing style. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.