10 Feb The most expensive coffee in the world
How much are you willing to pay for a coffee? Some select grains are listed on the market for exorbitant amounts. However, its production is so limited that we would not even be able to drink the most expensive coffee in the world every morning. Its history is a little more complex, “justifying” its price, but we leave you the option of acquiring it or not. Here we tell you everything.
The history of Kopi Luwak coffee
The highest price of coffee is held by the Kopi Luwak variety, from Indonesia. In areas such as Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi, the locals discovered that a peculiar animal was destroying their coffee crops and they undertook hunting measures against them. However, they noticed that the civet (name of the fox-like animal) reduced harvest times for them.
How? Well, the civet is an extremely selective animal in the food it eats. That’s why when feeding on coffee plants, it only picks the ripest berries from each plant. We do not know how someone came up with the idea, for the first time, of digging through the animal’s feces. However, the result, according to some, is impressive.
Coffee processes
In the digestive process of the animal, it has some enzymes that reduce the strong flavors of coffee. The civet does not completely grind the berry, but only eats its pulp, leaving the kernels intact. During its passage through the intestine, much of the bitterness of coffee is eliminated, making it one of the sweetest drinks. Perhaps for this reason, or suggested by the price, it has been chosen as the best drink.
When the grains are expelled, they come in a compact group that is delicately collected and washed several times to avoid any type of bacteria. Once they are dried, they are also put through the high heat of roasting ovens and of course ground before packing. Two of the main elements that give them their price converge here, the delicacy of choosing them and the small quantity that is produced annually, limited to about 500 kilograms.
Quality-price ratio
For this little production, the average cost of a kilogram of Kopi Luwak coffee is close to 900 euros. On the contrary, just one cup can cost you between 80 and 90 euros. Would you encourage it? According to some reviews and coffee tastings, these harvests promise a more intense flavor, slightly bitter and with an aroma reminiscent of caramel, vanilla or cocoa. However, this coffee competes in terms of prices with the Black Ivory Coffee varieties, the Café de los Coatís in Latin America, and the Helena Coffee Company in Africa.
Concerns in your production
After selling their coffees for such high prices, locals in Indonesia have taken the civets into captivity, in order to control all the beans they eat. However, the environmental and animal protection movements are opposed to this type of exploitation in the coffee-growing areas, since they only expose them to appalling living conditions. Sometimes, they develop anxiety disorders and, far from contributing to the harvest, they cause their own death.
Summary on the most expensive coffee in the world
We are not willing to spill even a single drop of Kopi Luwak coffee. However, would you pay for it? Today you have learned about its history and the complex production process, but perhaps you do not agree with the conditions under which it is produced. Likewise, if you prefer stronger coffees, you probably drink robust blends and leave these sweeter shades to others. Tell us in comments and on social networks if you already knew about the most expensive coffee in the world, if you have tried it or if you plan to do so.
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