Fears that Chinese civet cats may help spread Sars have led to thousands of the animals being slaughtered, but that does not seem to have affected demand for a rare coffee harvested with the animals’ help in Indonesia.

 

“Kopi Luwak” or “Civet Coffee” the most expensive coffee in the world…is made with beans that have been partially digested and then excreted by civets.

 

The animals live in plantations and are apparently expert at picking out the finest coffee berries.

 

Their digestive systems break down the fruit and then expel the beans.

 

These are gathered by plantation workers who then wash off the dung and roast the beans to produce a coffee which experts say has a unique flavour.

 

Kopi Luwak began showing up in North America during the 1990’s at the height of the gourmet coffee craze. It has been sold in the U.S. for up to $600 per pound and can fetch as much as $30 for a single brewed cup in some parts of the world.

 

Coffee connoisseur Chris Rubin explains what makes kopi luwak worth the exorbitant price:

 

‘The aroma is rich and strong, and the coffee is incredibly full bodies, almost syrupy. It’s thick with a hint of chocolate, and lingers on the tongue with a long, clean aftertaste. It’s definitely one of the most interesting and unusual cups I’ve ever had.’