Elephant Dung Coffee: What Makes It Worth $13 an Espresso?

Ever wondered why some coffees cost as much as a casual dinner — and what actually goes into making them so exclusive? One unusual brew has captured global curiosity not just for its price, but for how it’s made: inside an elephant.

The short answer? A single kilogram of elephant-digested coffee beans sells for $1,880, and each espresso made from it costs around $13. That’s because it takes 33 kilograms of regular coffee beans to produce just one kilogram of this rare brew, and the entire process is both slow and inefficient.

How Elephant Dung Coffee Is Made

Developed by 44-year-old Black Ivory Coffee founder Blake Dinkin, the process begins when elephants consume raw coffee beans. Unlike humans, elephants digest these beans over roughly 17 hours. During this time, stomach acids break down some of the beans’ bitter compounds, altering their flavor profile.

The beans are excreted — often while the elephants bathe in rivers. This environment causes many beans to be lost, adding to the rarity. The remaining beans are then collected, cleaned, and sun-dried by the families of elephant trainers.

Why Is It So Expensive?

There are several factors driving the high price. First, the yield is extremely low: 33 kg of regular coffee beans are required to make just 1 kg of elephant dung coffee. Second, collection is inefficient due to natural loss in the wild. Third, the entire production involves manual labor, from retrieving the beans to cleaning and drying them.

All of this happens in limited regions, and the final product is sold only in select high-end markets. The rarity, combined with the unique digestive process, justifies the $1,880 per kg price tag — and a $13 cup of espresso.

Where You Can Buy It

Currently, Black Ivory Coffee is available only in luxury hotels across Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong. However, the brand plans to expand into high-end venues in Paris, Zurich, Copenhagen, and Moscow in the near future.

What Happens to the Profits?

An impressive 8% of the revenue from each sale goes back to conservation organizations that Black Ivory Coffee partners with. Additionally, the local families who help clean and process the beans — often relatives of elephant trainers — are paid for their work, supporting both wildlife efforts and local communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is elephant dung coffee?

Elephant dung coffee is a rare specialty coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by elephants. The digestion process is said to reduce bitterness and alter the flavor, resulting in a distinct cup profile.

How much does elephant dung coffee cost?

A single kilogram of elephant dung coffee costs $1,880. Each espresso portion typically sells for around $13.

How is elephant dung coffee made?

Elephants are fed raw coffee beans, which they digest for about 17 hours. The beans are then excreted, often in river water, collected, cleaned, and sun-dried to produce the final coffee.

Why is elephant dung coffee so rare?

The coffee is rare because it takes 33 kg of regular beans to make 1 kg of elephant-processed coffee. Many beans are also lost in the wild, and the collection and processing are done manually in limited regions.

Where can you buy elephant dung coffee?

Currently available in luxury hotels in Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with planned expansion to Paris, Zurich, Copenhagen, and Moscow.

Does the sale of elephant dung coffee support any causes?

Yes, 8% of sales go to conservation partners, and local workers involved in processing the beans are compensated, aiding both wildlife and community efforts.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Unique Profiles

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or Yirgacheffe for a juicy, tea-like body — both highlight the delicate flavors that processing methods can bring out. For something richer, their Panama Humbera offers complex stone fruit and chocolate tones. These beans showcase how origin and processing shape taste, much like the unique profile of elephant dung coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.