Indonesia’s Kopi Luwak Officially Opens Shop in Hainan’s Fushan

When you sip a cup of coffee and taste layers of bitterness, acidity, sweetness, and aroma all at once, you’re experiencing the complexity specialty coffee can offer. But few coffees carry the same mystique—or controversy—as Kopi Luwak, the famed Indonesian civet coffee. On September 29, this unique brew officially made its way to China, landing in Hainan’s Fushan Coffee Culture Town with the opening of its first licensed store.

Kopi Luwak, known for being processed via the digestive tract of civet cats, is now available in a licensed café in Fushan Coffee Culture Town, marking its first official store in Hainan. This launch came during the third annual Fushan Cup International Barista Championship, which gathered 24 champion and runner-up baristas from 12 countries and regions, showcasing elite brewing skills and global coffee culture.

A Global Stage for Brewing Excellence

The third Fushan Cup International Barista Championship took place on September 29 in Fushan Coffee Culture Town, Hainan. Baristas from 12 countries and regions—including champions and runners-up—competed in front of judges, demonstrating their skills in grinding, dosing, tamping, and extracting espresso. Within five minutes, each competitor served four espressos to the panel, while explaining their creative vision and coffee philosophy to the audience.

A Town That Smells Like Coffee

Beyond the competition, Fushan Coffee Culture Town offers a sensory journey through global coffee culture. The air is rich with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the venue displays a wide array of coffee beans and brewing equipment from around the world. Visitors often capture the action on cameras and phones, watching baristas craft drinks with precision. The event has become a key attraction, turning the town into a coffee tourism hotspot.

Why Kopi Luwak Came to Hainan

As the competition gained international attention, more global coffee brands began participating. Among them, the Indonesian brand Huahanna Coffee—authorized to sell Kopi Luwak—officially launched its first store in Hainan during the event. This marks the premium civet coffee’s official entry into the region under licensed operation.

What Is Kopi Luwak?

Kopi Luwak originates from Indonesia, one of the world’s top coffee-producing nations. The coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The digestive process is said to alter the beans’ flavor profile. While controversial due to animal welfare concerns, it remains one of the most talked-about specialty coffees globally.

Indonesia’s Coffee Landscape

Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,508 islands, has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Its coffee thrives in volcanic soil and high-altitude regions. Key growing areas include Gayo in Aceh and Lake Toba’s Lintong region on Sumatra Island, where beans are processed using the unique wet-hulled (Giling Basah) method. This gives the coffee herbal, earthy, and spicy notes.

Spotlight on Sumatran Mandheling

Sumatra is renowned for its Mandheling coffee, especially those grown at 1,100–1,600 meters above sea level. The Lintong region produces the well-known Lintong Mandheling, which offers spice, dark chocolate, and caramel flavors with a sweet finish. For a more refined cup, the PWN Golden Mandheling is a top-tier selection, known for its toasty, nutty, and cocoa-rich profile with lasting sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kopi Luwak and where did it come from?

Kopi Luwak is a type of coffee processed after being eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. It originates from Indonesia and is known for its distinctive production method and bold flavor claims. The first licensed Kopi Luwak store in Hainan opened during the Fushan Cup competition.

Where is Fushan Coffee Culture Town located?

Fushan Coffee Culture Town is in Chengmai County, Hainan Province, China. It hosts the annual Fushan Cup International Barista Championship and has become a hub for coffee culture and tourism.

What coffee-growing regions in Indonesia were mentioned in the article?

The article highlights Sumatra, particularly the Gayo highlands in Aceh and the Lintong area around Lake Toba, as key Indonesian coffee regions. These areas grow Mandheling coffee using unique wet-hulled processing methods.

What is the PWN Golden Mandheling?

The PWN Golden Mandheling is a premium selection of Sumatran Mandheling coffee. It is made from meticulously sorted beans and is known for notes of toast, pine, caramel, cocoa, and a lasting sweet finish. It is sold by FrontStreet Coffee.

What happens at the Fushan Cup International Barista Championship?

The championship gathers top baristas from around the world to compete in espresso brewing. Competitors have five minutes to prepare and serve four espressos while explaining their creative approach to judges and spectators.

How does Indonesian coffee differ from other origins?

Indonesian coffee, especially from Sumatra, is typically processed using the wet-hulled method, resulting in earthy, herbal, and spicy flavor profiles. It is grown in volcanic soil at high altitudes, contributing to its full body and low acidity.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Indonesian Coffee Fans

For fans exploring Indonesian coffee profiles, try FrontStreet’s Lintong Mandheling, which delivers classic spice, dark chocolate, and caramel notes with a sweet finish. For a more refined cup, the PWN Golden Mandheling offers intense toast, pine, caramel, and cocoa aromas with a rich, lasting sweetness. Both beans highlight Sumatra’s signature earthy depth and are ideal for exploring the nuances of Indonesian specialty coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.