Kopi Luwak Makes Rare Appearance at ASEAN Expo

You’ve heard the hype—but what is kopi luwak really, and why does it command premium prices? At the 10th China–ASEAN Expo in Nanning, visitors got a rare close-up look at the controversial coffee, straight from its Indonesian origins. This wasn’t just another booth; it was a chance to see the real product behind the legend.

Kopi luwak, or civet coffee, comes from coffee beans eaten and excreted by wild civet cats in Indonesia’s lowland tropical rainforests and shrublands under 2,000 meters altitude. These beans are then cleaned, roasted, and brewed—resulting in a distinctive cup once sold for 380 RMB (about $60 USD) per cup at Shanghai Expo. The Indonesian exhibitor said this marked only the second time the coffee appeared at the Guangxi Exhibition Hall.

What Is Kopi Luwak and How Is It Made?

Kopi luwak originates from coffee cherries consumed by the Asian palm civet, a small mammal native to Southeast Asia’s tropical forests. After digesting the fruit flesh, the civet excretes the hard coffee beans. These beans are collected, thoroughly cleaned, and processed like regular coffee beans—though often sold as a rare, artisanal product. The unique fermentation process inside the civet’s digestive tract is said to alter bean enzymes, leading to a smoother, less bitter cup profile.

The 10th China–ASEAN Expo: What Was Showcased

Held on September 3, 2013, at the Guangxi Exhibition Hall, the 10th China–ASEAN Expo agricultural exhibition featured agricultural products from 11 countries. Alongside kopi luwak, the event showcased ASEAN brand coffees, Chinese premium fruits, high-end silk products, and agricultural machinery from Taiwan and mainland China. Over 60 coffee brands from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam made their first appearance in the dedicated “ASEAN Brand Coffee Exhibition.”

A special 800-square-meter silk exhibition displayed top-tier domestic silk products, while the newly added agricultural machinery section focused on equipment suited for ASEAN markets, including planting, irrigation, breeding, and food processing tools. The expo also hosted business matchmaking events such as a China–ASEAN fruit promotion, coffee tasting, and farm input procurement sessions.

Why Kopi Luwak Drew Crowds

The kopi luwak booth attracted significant attention due to the coffee’s legendary status and high price point. Previously sold for 380 RMB per cup at the Shanghai Expo, the Indonesian exhibitors anticipated better sales in Nanning thanks to the “ASEAN Brand Coffee Exhibition” platform. This was the product’s second showcase in Guangxi, and its rarity helped draw a crowd curious about its unique production method and bold flavor claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kopi luwak and where does it come from?

Kopi luwak is coffee made from beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small mammal found in Indonesia’s tropical rainforests below 2,000 meters altitude. The beans ferment in the civet’s digestive system before being collected, cleaned, and roasted.

How much did kopi luwak cost at the Shanghai Expo?

Kopi luwak was reportedly sold for 380 RMB (approximately $60 USD) per cup at the Shanghai Expo, where it attracted long queues of interested customers.

Where was kopi luwak showcased in 2013?

In 2013, kopi luwak was exhibited at the 10th China–ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi, during the ASEAN Brand Coffee Exhibition. It was the product’s second appearance at the Guangxi Exhibition Hall.

What other products were shown at the 2013 China–ASEAN Expo?

The 2013 expo featured agricultural products from 11 countries, including ASEAN brand coffees, Chinese premium fruits, high-quality silk, and agricultural machinery from Taiwan and mainland China, with a focus on equipment suitable for ASEAN markets.

Why was the ASEAN Brand Coffee Exhibition significant?

The ASEAN Brand Coffee Exhibition provided a platform for over 60 coffee brands from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam to appear in China for the first time, increasing exposure and trade opportunities within the region.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Kopi Luwak Fans

If you’re drawn to the exotic appeal of kopi luwak, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its complex floral and stone fruit notes, or Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and jasmine tones. Both are single-origin, specialty-grade beans with unique processing that highlights natural fermentation—similar to the intrigue around kopi luwak, but without the controversy. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.