Elephant-Dung Coffee Sells for $50 a Cup

In the misty highlands of northern Thailand, something unusual is happening: twenty elephants are producing some of the rarest—and priciest—coffee beans in the world. These aren’t just any beans. They’re consumed by elephants, fermented in their gut, and expelled the next day. And people are paying $50 a cup to drink the result.

Yes, the coffee beans excreted by elephants after eating coffee cherries can be brewed into a cup that reportedly sells for around $50. The beans themselves cost approximately $1,100 per kilogram, making them among the most expensive in the world.

What Is Elephant-Dung Coffee?

Commonly branded as Black Ivory Coffee, these beans begin as regular coffee cherries. But instead of being picked, processed, and roasted in the usual way, the cherries are fed to elephants. The animals digest the outer fruit, and the beans inside pass through their digestive system overnight. The next morning, the beans are collected from the dung, cleaned, and roasted. The result? A coffee said to have a smooth, earthy flavor with no bitterness.

How Does Digestion Change the Coffee?

The unique processing isn’t just a gimmick. According to producers, enzymes and stomach acids in the elephant’s gut break down proteins in the coffee beans that are usually responsible for bitterness. This results in a smoother cup. Additionally, fermentation in the digestive tract is believed to add subtle earthy and fermented notes to the final brew. While the concept may sound unappetizing to some, the process yields a distinctly different flavor profile compared to conventional coffees.

Where Can You Try It?

Black Ivory Coffee first launched in luxury hotels in Northern Thailand and the Maldives. By last month, it had expanded to high-end venues in Abu Dhabi. The coffee is served as a specialty brew, typically priced at around $50 per cup. Like Kopi Luwak (civet coffee), it caters to curious coffee drinkers willing to pay a premium for an unusual origin story and distinct taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does elephant coffee cost per kilogram?

Black Ivory Coffee beans cost roughly $1,100 per kilogram, making them one of the most expensive coffee varieties globally.

What is the price per cup of elephant-dung coffee?

When served in luxury hotels and resorts, a single cup of Black Ivory Coffee typically costs around $50.

How are the coffee beans processed in this method?

Coffee cherries are fed to elephants, which digest the fruit pulp and excrete the beans the next day. The beans are then collected, cleaned, and roasted. The digestive process is said to reduce bitterness and add unique flavors.

Where is Black Ivory Coffee produced?

The coffee is produced in northern Thailand, where local elephants consume the cherries. The beans are gathered from their dung and processed nearby.

Is this similar to Kopi Luwak?

Yes, both involve animals eating coffee cherries and excreting the beans, but Black Ivory uses elephants while Kopi Luwak uses civets. The digestion processes differ, affecting flavor and price.

Where can you buy or drink Black Ivory Coffee?

It’s available in select luxury hotels in Thailand, the Maldives, and Abu Dhabi. It’s typically served as a specialty or premium offering.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Curiosity

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui offers floral and citrus notes with vibrant acidity, ideal for exploring unique origins. Their Panama Huacai brings chocolate and stone fruit complexity, another rare bean worth trying. For a smoother cup, try the Brazil Queen Manor with its nutty and caramel profile. All are great examples of how origin and processing shape flavor. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.