How Elephant Dung Coffee Became a Luxury Brew Like Kopi Luwak

If you’ve ever wondered what coffee processed through an animal’s digestive system tastes like, Thailand offers an extreme example. Beyond the well-known kopi luwak (civet coffee), there’s a lesser-known but even pricier contender: coffee that’s been eaten, digested, and excreted by elephants. Yes, you read that right—this is the real story behind 'elephant dung coffee.'

The short answer: Thai 'Black Ivory' coffee costs around $25 per cup, or $1,100 per kilogram. It’s made from Arabica beans that pass through elephants’ stomachs, where enzymes reduce bitterness. Each cup is the result of a complex, natural fermentation process unique to these animals.

What Is Elephant Dung Coffee?

Elephant dung coffee, marketed as 'Black Ivory,' starts with specially selected Arabica coffee beans. These beans are fed to elephants at a rescue center in northern Thailand. After digestion, the beans are collected from the elephants’ feces, cleaned, roasted, and brewed. The result is a smooth, low-acidity coffee said to have notes influenced by the fermentation process inside the elephant’s gut.

Why Does Digestion Change the Coffee?

According to the hotel behind the product, the key lies in the elephant’s digestive enzymes. These enzymes break down proteins in the coffee beans—a major source of bitterness in regular coffee. With less protein remaining, the resulting brew is smoother and less bitter. The exact flavor profile is also shaped by the fermentation environment inside the elephant, which is impossible to replicate artificially.

How Expensive and Rare Is It?

Black Ivory coffee sells for approximately $1,100 per kilogram, making it one of the most expensive coffee blends in the world. At the Anantara hotel chain in Thailand, a single serving costs $25, or $50 for two cups. For comparison, kopi luwak typically ranges in a similar price bracket. The coffee is produced exclusively from beans digested by 30 elephants at the hotel’s own rescue center.

Where Does the Process Happen?

The entire production takes place at the Anantara Elephant Rescue Center in northern Thailand. The center houses around 30 elephants, and all Black Ivory coffee beans are processed through their digestive systems. The beans are fed to the elephants as part of their diet, then carefully gathered after defecation, cleaned thoroughly, and processed for roasting. This location is the sole source of genuine Black Ivory coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Black Ivory coffee made from?

Black Ivory coffee is made from Arabica coffee beans that have been eaten and digested by elephants. The beans are collected from the elephants’ feces, cleaned, and roasted. The process is similar in concept to kopi luwak but uses elephants instead of civets.

How much does elephant dung coffee cost?

Black Ivory coffee costs about $1,100 per kilogram, or roughly $25 per cup. A serving of two cups is sold for $50 at the Anantara hotel in Thailand.

Why does coffee taste different after being digested by elephants?

Elephants’ digestive enzymes break down proteins in the coffee beans. Since proteins contribute to coffee’s bitterness, their reduction leads to a smoother, less bitter cup. The fermentation process inside the elephant also affects flavor development.

Is elephant dung coffee the same as kopi luwak?

No, they are not the same. Kopi luwak is made from beans digested by civets, while Black Ivory coffee is processed through elephants. Both are examples of animal-processed coffee, but the species and digestive processes differ, leading to unique flavor profiles.

Where is Black Ivory coffee produced?

Black Ivory coffee is produced exclusively at the Anantara Elephant Rescue Center in northern Thailand. The beans are fed to 30 elephants kept at the center, and the post-digestion processing happens on-site.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Curiosity

If you’re intrigued by unique processing methods like elephant dung coffee, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, complex cup with floral and citrus notes, or their Yirgacheffe offering for juicy acidity and berry tones. Both are light-roasted single origins that highlight natural fermentation profiles—without the elephants. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.