World’s Most Expensive Coffee Comes from Civet Excrement

Ever wondered what makes some coffee cost over $100 per pound — and why anyone would pay that much? One answer might shock you: the world’s most expensive coffee beans come from the droppings of a small jungle animal known as the civet.

The short answer: Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is made from coffee beans eaten and excreted by civets. In the Philippines, farmers can earn up to $28.75 per pound — five times the price of regular beans — by collecting these beans from wild or caged civets. A couple in the Philippines reportedly makes $230 a day during harvest season by processing up to 8 kilograms of civet droppings.

What Is Civet Coffee?

Civet coffee originates from coffee cherries eaten by civets — small, nocturnal mammals native to Southeast Asian jungles. These animals consume the fruit but can’t fully digest the inner beans. As the beans pass through the civet’s digestive tract, they’re exposed to enzymes and gastric acids that break down proteins responsible for bitterness. The result is a smoother, fruitier cup with a uniquely altered flavor profile.

This fermentation-like process inside the civet’s body is what gives civet coffee its renowned smoothness and reduced acidity. The beans are then collected from the animal’s feces, cleaned, and roasted like normal coffee beans.

How Did Civet Coffee Become So Valuable?

Civet coffee’s high value isn’t just about rarity. Originally, farmers in countries like the Philippines saw civets as pests that ate their coffee crops. But once they realized the digested beans could be sold for far more than regular coffee — up to five times the price — attitudes quickly shifted.

Today, some farmers actively collect civet droppings during harvest season. According to 44-year-old Rustico Montero (translated from the original source as ·), he and his wife can gather up to 8 kilograms of civet-excreted beans per day during peak months (March to May). After washing the beans with natural spring water, they sell the cleaned product for around 1,200 Philippine pesos per kilogram — approximately $28.75, compared to $5–6 for standard beans. That daily yield can bring in as much as $230.

The Controversy Around Caged Civets

While wild civets naturally select ripe coffee cherries — a process some argue enhances bean quality — the boom in demand has led to a darker practice: caging civets specifically to produce more kopi luwak. Farmers confine civets in small enclosures and feed them coffee cherries non-stop to maximize output.

Industry insider Reyes (translated from ) has openly criticized this practice, calling it “terrible.” She estimates that around 80% of civet coffee produced in the Philippines now comes from caged animals. Critics argue that captive civets suffer poor living conditions and are often force-fed, undermining the supposed quality and ethics of the product.

Does Digestion Really Change the Coffee?

Yes. The unique fermentation process inside the civet’s digestive system is believed to degrade certain proteins in the green coffee beans that contribute to bitterness. What remains is a cup that many describe as smoother, less acidic, and with hints of fruity or earthy undertones. While scientific studies vary, many coffee experts agree that something chemically different happens to beans that pass through a civet.

However, the actual impact depends heavily on whether the civet ate ripe or unripe cherries, how long the beans remained in digestion, and how the beans are handled post-collection. Not all civet coffee is created equal — especially when sourced from caged animals with controlled, often unnatural diets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kopi luwak coffee?

Kopi luwak, also called civet coffee, is made from coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by civets, small nocturnal mammals. The digestive process removes some of the beans’ bitterness and is said to create a smoother, fruitier cup. It’s one of the most expensive types of coffee in the world.

Why is civet coffee so expensive?

Civet coffee is expensive because of the unique processing method, limited supply, and the belief that digestion improves flavor. In the Philippines, some farmers can sell civet coffee beans for around $28.75 per pound — roughly five times the price of regular beans — leading to high market value.

Is civet coffee still made from wild civets?

Some civet coffee still comes from wild civets, but a large portion — estimated at around 80% in the Philippines — now comes from civets kept in cages and fed coffee cherries continuously. Wild civets are believed to select only ripe cherries, which may affect flavor quality.

How does civet digestion change coffee beans?

When civets eat coffee cherries, enzymes and acids in their digestive system break down proteins in the beans that cause bitterness. This process is thought to result in a smoother, less acidic cup with a distinct flavor profile. The beans are then collected from feces, cleaned, and roasted.

Is it ethical to drink civet coffee?

Ethical concerns exist, especially with farm-raised or caged civets. Many civets in captivity are kept in poor conditions and force-fed coffee cherries. Coffee experts and industry watchers have raised serious concerns about animal welfare in the production of most commercial kopi luwak today.

Where does civet coffee come from?

Originally from Indonesia, civet coffee is also produced in countries like the Philippines. In the Philippines, local farmers collect the beans from civet droppings, particularly during harvest season from March to May, and sell them at a premium price.

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