A recent study revealed that civet-processed Robusta coffee, known as Kopi Luwak, differs significantly from naturally harvested Robusta beans in its fatty acid composition and total fat content, providing new scientific insight into the unique aroma and flavour that make it famous.
About Kopi Luwak
Kopi Luwak is a coffee made from beans that have been partially digested and then excreted by the Asian palm civet. Known as one of the world's most expensive and exclusive coffees, it originates primarily from Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. 
Production process and flavor
The unique production process is what gives Kopi Luwak its distinct qualities. 

• Civet selection: The Asian palm civet eats the ripest and most flawless coffee cherries.
• Digestion and fermentation: As the cherries pass through the civet's digestive tract, the outer pulp and skin are removed, but the inner bean remains intact. Gastric juices and enzymatic actions ferment the beans, breaking down proteins. This process alters the coffee's amino acid composition, which impacts its aroma and flavor.
• Collection and processing: The excreted beans are collected, thoroughly cleaned, and then air-dried.
• Roasting: Like regular coffee, the beans are then roasted, a high-heat process that eliminates any lingering bacteria.
• Flavor profile: This process is said to give Kopi Luwak a smooth, less bitter, and intensely aromatic flavor with hints of chocolate, caramel, and other complex notes. 

Safety and consumption
Despite its origin, Kopi Luwak is considered safe to drink. 

• The extensive washing process effectively cleans the beans.
• The high temperature of the roasting process further sterilizes them, killing any remaining bacteria.
• Some sources suggest the coffee has lower acidity, making it easier on the stomach than regular coffee. 

Ethical concerns
The high price and luxury status of Kopi Luwak have led to serious animal cruelty issues. 

• Cruel conditions: A high demand has incentivized producers to move from collecting beans in the wild to intensive farming. Investigations by organizations like the BBC and PETA have revealed that civets are often kept in cramped, unsanitary battery-cage conditions.
• Forced diet: In these farms, the civets are force-fed coffee cherries, leading to an unhealthy, unnatural diet.
• Animal distress: The captive animals show signs of severe stress, such as pacing, self-mutilation, and premature death.
• Conservation risk: This practice also threatens wild civet populations, as many animals are illegally captured to supply the farms.
• Boycotts and alternatives: Major coffee executives and animal welfare activists have called for boycotts of the product. Some coffee companies have also developed humane, synthetic versions of the fermentation process. 

Key Facts about Asian Palm Civet
The Asian palm civet is a small, nocturnal mammal native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its role in producing the luxury coffee, kopi luwak. Despite its name, it is a viverrid and more closely related to mongooses than to felines. 
Physical characteristics

• Size: They are about the size of a house cat, weighing 2 to 5 kilograms. Their head-to-body length is approximately 53 to 71 cm, plus a long, unringed tail.
• Appearance: Their stocky bodies are covered in coarse, shaggy, grayish hair. They have distinct facial markings, including a white mask across the forehead, a white patch below each eye, and a narrow dark line between the eyes.
• Scent glands: Both males and females possess a perineal scent gland under their tail. When threatened, these glands emit a nauseating secretion used for chemical defense. This feature led to their scientific name, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. 

Habitat and behavior

• Native range: Asian palm civets are found across a wide area, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, and southern China.
• Adaptability: They are highly adaptable and thrive in a range of habitats, from primary and secondary forests to parks, gardens, and fruit plantations near human dwellings.
• Nocturnal and solitary: These animals are primarily active at night. They are solitary creatures, except for brief periods during mating.
• Arboreal and terrestrial: As skilled climbers, they spend much of their time in trees. Their sharp claws and grasping hind feet aid in their movements, though they are not as agile as some other civet species. 

Diet and ecological role

• Omnivorous diet: Asian palm civets are omnivores. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, such as berries, mangoes, and coffee cherries, as well as insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
• Seed dispersal: By feeding on fruits and excreting the seeds in their feces, they play an important ecological role in seed dispersal, which helps maintain and regenerate tropical forest ecosystems.
• "Toddy cats": They have a fondness for the sap of palm flowers, which can be fermented into a sweet liquor called toddy, earning them the nickname "toddy cats". 

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