Lifestyle Buzz

This ordinary beverage, as we realize is suddenly a rich priceless commodity not just for the ordinary but also the connoisseurs. So, what differentiates the true buffs from the rest? The salient features that identify the buffs from the non-buffs would include the right amount of sugar, cream/milk, flavours, aromas, textures, the need to transcend it all - at times their wallet as well- to spend on their coffee and often a gas mask.
 
Yes, you read right! A gas mask. Because now it is possible to enjoy coffee that comes straight from an animal’s digestive tract! This brings us to the age old question - what separates humans from animals?  Coffee!  Well…not anymore.

THE KOPI FROM THE LUWAK

Kopi Luwak, as it is known, is the most expensive coffee in the world. Kopi Luwak is also known as the Weasel Coffee/Caphe Cut Chon (fox-dung coffee) in Vietnam and Kape Alamid/Alamid Coffee in Philippines. It hails from Vietnam and the bon-homie islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in the Indonesian archipelago. The word ‘Kopi’ refers to coffee and ‘Luwak‘or ‘Alamid’ is the name for a palm civet - the animal that devours these ripe, red coffee cherries.

KOPI FOR THE GUTS-Y

The palm civet has a weasel-face, a cat body and a grey or brown furry tail with dark markings. A cousin of a mongoose, this animal chooses the choicest, ripe coffee cherries, partially digests them et voila… you have roasted beans - whole with thin cherry layers undigested. These appear in the droppings and resemble any other healthy snack-bar that we eat! But wait…there is more! The Kopi Luwak beans, once extracted from their source, are concentrated, washed and thoroughly cleansed before they can be used. The beans are not really affected in the process. These cats really don’t care for the beans as much as for the cherry!

Villagers do it in their own style while coffee plantations have their own processing. The villagers collect the raw material and put them in the lesung or the large stone mortar and pound it with a wooden pole. This loosens the beans from their shells and they are then winnowed in a flattish tray by hand to separate them from the damaged ones. Now, one can say the ‘Kopi’ is finally brewed or is it the ‘Luwak’!

KOPI OR COFFEE – THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

So, what makes this coffee so exotic? The beans are of top grade quality. Robusta or Arabica beans have high caffeine content and with Kopi Luwak, the enzymes created in the partial digestion by the cat-fox animal remove the harsh or bitter coffee taste. Research states that the enzyme process breaks down the proteins and the lactic acid fermentation, aiding in removing the bitterness from this beverage. This transforms the taste completely, making it far more exciting and delicious than regular coffee.

THE KOPI ACT

It is the addictive aroma, the rich texture, the syrupy body and the unique chocolate flavour of the Kopi Luwak that gets one hooked. Anyone who tastes this coffee once shall seek this steamy sensation only thereafter. A natural chocôlat with coffee – minus the bitterness leaves one elevated and this higher realm of coffee-consciousness can only come from a good cuppa. The seduction irresistible. The palate enchanted. The taste buds dance till whacked and the craving lingers.

Kopi Luwak; a purr-f-cat potion. A mysterious untold journey. Sipping this luxurious infusion is the catty kick-start to being pampered. Perhaps it is the process that makes the coffee so ‘out of the wallet’ but then chocolate, men and definitely KOPI - some things are better rich.