Black Ivory vs Kopi Luwak: Which Exotic Coffee Is Best?

If you’ve ever wondered whether coffee processed through an animal’s digestive system is really worth the hype—or the price—you’re not alone. Exotic coffees like kopi luwak and black ivory have long sparked curiosity, debate, and a fair share of skepticism. But what actually makes these coffees different, and is one truly better than the other?

In short: Black ivory coffee costs more, is rarer, and is considered to have less bitterness due to enzyme action during digestion—but both are produced via animal digestion, and availability is extremely limited. Black ivory sells for around $25 per cup and up to $1,100 per kilogram, making it the priciest coffee in the world as of 2012.

What Is Black Ivory Coffee?

Black ivory coffee, also known as elephant dung coffee, is made from coffee beans that have been eaten, digested, and excreted by Thai elephants. Produced at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand, this coffee is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Black Ivory Coffee, a company founded in March 2012 by Canadian entrepreneur Blake Dinkin.

The unique processing begins when elephants are fed high-quality arabica coffee cherries. During digestion, enzymes in the elephant’s stomach break down proteins in the beans—a key factor in perceived bitterness. The result? A cup reportedly smoother and less bitter than conventional coffee. After digestion, the beans are collected from the elephants’ feces, cleaned, and roasted.

How Is It Different from Kopi Luwak?

Both black ivory coffee and kopi luwak (civet coffee) are produced through animal digestion—but with key differences. Kopi luwak uses beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet, while black ivory uses coffee beans processed by elephants. Black ivory is produced solely in Thailand, whereas kopi luwak traditionally comes from Indonesia, though it is also produced in other countries.

Another major difference is yield: Elephants consume over 72 pounds (approximately 33 kg) of coffee cherries to produce just 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of usable beans. This extremely low output contributes to its record-high price. In contrast, the civet coffee process, while also low-yield, does not involve the same volume of input beans per output.

Why Does Digestion Affect Coffee Flavor?

The flavor transformation in both coffees is largely due to how animal digestion affects coffee bean proteins. Proteins in coffee are a major source of bitterness during brewing. When enzymes in the stomachs of elephants or civets break down these proteins, the resulting cup tends to have a smoother, less bitter taste. In the case of black ivory coffee, the enzymatic activity is thought to be more significant due to the elephant’s digestive tract length and chemistry.

Additionally, the fermentation environment inside the animal’s gut introduces subtle flavor shifts. However, the exact sensory impact can vary based on the individual animal’s diet, health, and digestion efficiency.

How Rare and Expensive Is It?

Black ivory coffee is exceptionally rare. With only about 2.2 pounds of usable beans produced from over 72 pounds of consumed coffee cherries, supply is extremely constrained. This scarcity, along with the specialized production process, places its price at around $1,100 per kilogram—or roughly $500–$25 per cup, depending on the outlet.

It debuted at select five-star hotels, including Anantara Resorts, in October 2012 at $25 per cup. By 2012, it had officially surpassed kopi luwak to become the most expensive coffee in the world, with a per-kilo price tag of 33,000 New Taiwan Dollars (approximately ¥6,747 or $1,100).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is black ivory coffee?

Black ivory coffee is a type of coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of Thai elephants. The beans are eaten, digested, and then collected from the elephants’ feces. The digestion process reduces bitterness, resulting in a smoother cup. It is produced by Black Ivory Coffee, a company founded in 2012.

How is black ivory coffee made?

Elephants are fed high-quality arabica coffee cherries. The beans are digested by the elephants, during which enzymes break down proteins, reducing bitterness. The beans are later excreted, collected, cleaned, and roasted. Only a small amount of beans are recovered from the large quantity of cherries fed to the elephants.

What is kopi luwak and how does it compare?

Kopi luwak, or civet coffee, is made from beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. While both coffees involve animal digestion, kopi luwak uses civets and is mainly produced in Indonesia. Black ivory uses elephants and is produced only in Thailand. Black ivory has a lower yield and higher price.

Why is black ivory coffee so expensive?

Black ivory coffee is expensive due to its limited production. Over 72 pounds of coffee cherries are needed to produce just 2.2 pounds of beans. The complex and labor-intensive collection, cleaning, and roasting process, along with its exclusivity, contribute to prices reaching up to $1,100 per kilogram.

Where can you buy black ivory coffee?

Black ivory coffee is available only in a few luxury locations, such as selected five-star hotels like Anantara Resorts. It is not widely sold due to its rarity. In 2012, it debuted at $25 per cup in those select venues.

Which is better: kopi luwak or black ivory coffee?

“Better” depends on preference, but black ivory coffee is often described as smoother and less bitter due to greater protein breakdown during elephant digestion. It is also rarer and more expensive. Kopi luwak is more widely known but has faced criticism regarding animal welfare in some production cases.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Comparable in Uniqueness

While FrontStreet Coffee doesn’t produce animal-processed beans, their Ethiopia Huakui offers floral and citrus complexity akin to the clean profiles found in exotic coffees. For something earthy and syrupy, try the Kenya Little Tomato, which shares a fermented depth without digestive processing. Both highlight origin character like black ivory does—naturally. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.