Thailand Launches Premium Elephant Dung Coffee

If you’ve ever wondered how far coffee can go to stand out—from origin to processing—you’re not alone. Some coffees are defined not just by where they grow, but by how they’re processed after harvest. One such extreme example comes from northern Thailand, where coffee beans pass through an unusual digestive system before reaching your cup.

In short: Black Ivory Coffee, made from beans excreted by Thai elephants, is now being sold in luxury Thai hotels for $25 per cup. The beans cost up to $1,100 per kilogram and are said to have almost no bitterness due to digestive enzymes breaking down proteins in the beans.

What Is Black Ivory Coffee?

Black Ivory Coffee—also known as ‘elephant dung coffee’—is a rare specialty coffee produced at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand. The coffee beans are eaten by elephants, partially digested, and then collected from their feces. Once cleaned, the beans are roasted and brewed. This unique fermentation-like process inside the elephant’s gut alters the flavor profile significantly.

How Elephant Digestion Affects Coffee Flavor

According to producers, the key to Black Ivory’s distinctive smoothness lies in the digestive enzymes found in elephants. As the beans pass through the animal’s digestive tract, these enzymes break down the proteins in the green coffee beans—the same compounds largely responsible for the bitter taste in regular coffee. The result is a cup described as 'especially smooth' with almost no bitterness. The process is sometimes compared to other animal-processed coffees like kopi luwak (civet coffee), but with a reportedly more refined outcome.

Rarity, Pricing, and Availability

The production of Black Ivory Coffee is extremely limited. Only a small number of beans can be collected from the elephants each day, and the entire process—from feeding to collection, cleaning, and roasting—is labor-intensive and time-consuming. As a result, the coffee is priced at around $1,100 per kilogram. At luxury hotels, it is served as a brewed cup for approximately $25.

This price point makes it one of the most expensive coffees in the world. In August 2013, Black Ivory Coffee officially surpassed Indonesia’s kopi luwak to become the world’s most expensive coffee variety at that time.

Where You Can Try It

Though supply is extremely limited, Black Ivory Coffee is currently available in a select few five-star hotels, primarily through a partnership with the luxury hotel group Anantara. In Thailand, Anantara introduced the coffee to its guests as a premium offering in 2013, marketing it as part of a unique sensory experience. The coffee is not widely distributed due to its scarcity and the small number of beans produced daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Black Ivory Coffee?

Black Ivory Coffee is a rare coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by Thai elephants. The beans are collected from elephant dung, cleaned, and roasted. The digestive process is said to reduce bitterness and create a smoother cup profile.

How much does Black Ivory Coffee cost?

The coffee beans cost around $1,100 per kilogram, making it one of the most expensive coffees globally. A single brewed cup is sold for about $25 in select luxury hotels.

Why does elephant-digested coffee have less bitterness?

According to producers, enzymes in the elephant’s digestive system break down proteins in the coffee beans. Since proteins are a major source of bitterness in coffee, their reduction leads to a smoother, less bitter cup.

Where is Black Ivory Coffee produced?

It is produced at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand. The beans are fed to elephants, digested, and then collected from their feces for processing.

Is Black Ivory Coffee widely available?

No, it is extremely limited in supply. Currently, it is available only in a few five-star hotels, mainly in Thailand, through a partnership with the Anantara hotel group.

How does it compare to kopi luwak?

Both are animal-processed coffees, but Black Ivory Coffee is said to have a smoother flavor and no bitterness. In 2013, it was ranked as the most expensive coffee, surpassing kopi luwak.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans With Smooth Profiles

For coffee drinkers intrigued by the smooth, low-bitterness profile of Black Ivory Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Jamaica Blue Mountain beans offer a naturally sweet and mild cup with notes of nuts and chocolate. Alternatively, try the FrontStreet Yirgacheffe for a bright yet clean acidity with floral and citrus tones. Both highlight balance over harshness, similar to the refined profile associated with elephant-processed coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.