What Is Kopi Luwak? A Rare Coffee Tasted in Qingdao

Ever wondered why some coffees cost hundreds of dollars per cup? Yesterday in Qingdao, coffee professionals gathered to taste one of the rarest and most controversial brews in the world—Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee. This event shed light on why a single serving can cost as much as a nice dinner, and why so few people have ever tried it.

The short answer: a 50g bag of Kopi Luwak sells for ¥1,500 and makes just 3–4 cups, meaning each cup costs roughly ¥400. Global annual production is under 400kg, making it the rarest coffee in the world.

What Is Kopi Luwak?

Kopi Luwak, often called “cat poop coffee,” is made from coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The digestive process is said to alter the beans’ flavor profile, though the science and ethics behind it remain widely debated. The result is a very limited batch of coffee with an unusual backstory.

How Much Does Kopi Luwak Really Cost?

At the Qingdao tasting event, hosted by the Qingdao Coffee Association and Abika Import & Export, attendees learned that a 50g package of Kopi Luwak retails for ¥1,500. That quantity yields only 3–4 cups, putting the per-cup price at approximately ¥400. For comparison, most specialty coffee costs less than ¥50 per cup, often much less.

Why Is Kopi Luwak So Rare?

The global annual production of Kopi Luwak is estimated to be no more than 400 kilograms. This extremely limited output is due to the labor-intensive and natural process required, as well as the small number of civets and the unpredictability of bean collection. The scarcity drives both the mystique and the market price.

What Happened at the Qingdao Tasting Event?

The event aimed to educate coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals about this infamous coffee. Attendees were able to see the beans, hear the history, and discuss the implications of such a high-priced, low-quantity product. While no images of the actual brew were provided, the event included visual materials explaining the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kopi Luwak coffee?

Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of the Asian palm civet. The beans are collected, cleaned, roasted, and brewed. The process is controversial due to animal welfare concerns and questions about flavor enhancement.

How much does a cup of Kopi Luwak cost?

A single cup of Kopi Luwak costs around ¥400. This is based on a 50g bag selling for ¥1,500, which makes approximately 3–4 cups.

Why is Kopi Luwak so expensive?

Kopi Luwak is expensive due to its extremely limited production—less than 400kg per year globally—and the unique, labor-intensive process of collecting civet-ingested beans. The rarity and story behind it also contribute to the high price.

Where did the Kopi Luwak tasting take place?

The tasting was held in Qingdao, China, and organized by the Qingdao Coffee Association in collaboration with Abika Import & Export.

How many cups can you get from 50g of Kopi Luwak?

A 50g pack of Kopi Luwak makes about 3–4 cups of coffee.

Is Kopi Luwak still produced today?

Yes, Kopi Luwak is still produced, but in very small quantities—estimated at under 400kg per year worldwide. Its production remains limited and controversial.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Curiosity

If you're exploring rare and specialty coffees, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for floral and citrus complexity, or Yirgacheffe for bright berry notes. Both are single-origin, ethically sourced, and showcase the diversity of flavor possible without controversial processes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.