Kopi Luwak: My First Cup | A Truly Javanese Experience
Hello, coffee lovers! What is the most exotic coffee that you have tried? For me, it would be kopi luwak. In English, civet coffee.
It's a type of coffee that has been partially digested then defecated by the Asian palm civet cat. Yes, the civet cats eat the coffee berries first, and because they can't fully digest the coffee beans, these will come out with their poo. As the coffee beans travel through the digestive system of the civet cat, especially the intestines, they get fermented. This is what adds to its distinct flavour.
The coffee beans here are already separated. They come out in chunks actually. I hope I am not grossing you out yet. And yes, I can hear the animal rights activists at the back. I do feel sorry for the civet cats who are somehow limited to a diet of coffee berries. Imagine eating the same thing every day ad infinitum?
I'd be tired and weary AND wary as this little one here at the corner. We call this milu in our Cebuano language. They can be found in the mountains of Cebu too although their population is dwindling due to environmental factors. Anyhoo, I'm not here to discuss about biodiversity, so let's get back to coffee.
Again, thanks to our driver who showed us this interesting coffee shop. It's somewhere between Jogjakarta and Magelang. We dropped by after visiting Borobudur (you may read about our trip to the magnificent temple here). I remember how bad the rain was that we had to take a detour, and that's how we ended up in this cozy coffee shop. It was just drizzling lightly in this area when we arrived.
It was midafternoon. Just the perfect time to have a break from the road trip. And I love the traditional setting of this shop. Look at the wooden pieces of furniture behind me in the photo. 😍
Fancy a cup? I ordered a cup of black kopi luwak. Like Americano but kopi luwak, right? I wanted to enjoy its special taste first without sugar or milk. I can't remember the exact taste for it was four years ago, but I do recall the pleasant feeling of drinking it. It was just right for that rainy afternoon somewhere in Java.
Thank you for not asking me about the price because I forgot. But it could be about Rp 100,000 a cup (about two Starbucks grande in the Philippines). Also, the price could have changed after all these years with inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The barista taught us that we could eat these palm sugar cubes like candy as we take a sip of coffee, and this is the most interesting part. Instead of putting the sugar in the coffee, you let these flavours mix in your mouth. It's a game-changer for me. I wish other coffee shops would try this trick. I would like to do it again but only with palm sugar cubes because they're tastier than the regular white sugar, which is from sugarcane.
The gang enjoyed their time here, and we all admired the Javanese art pieces on the wall. There's a panoramic view of Borobudur at the leftmost frame. But my favorite would be the ethereal feminine figures against a red background at the bottom right.
This is the best detour of our Java trip. Initially, we wanted to follow the same route we took on our way to Borobudur because we wanted to eat durian. But this was even better. Kopi luwak is considered one of the most exotic coffees in the world, and we were able to try an authentic one. The commercialized kopi luwak sold in sachets at the groceries does not even come close in terms of taste and experience.
Before we go, let's enjoy some more Javanese art. I just love these carvings on the beams and the post.
And look at that antique lamp gracing the ceiling and illuminating the coffee shop. And those carved wooden panels at the back. I should have been an interior designer with my love for these details, hehe.
Anyhoo, the belly is full and warm with the invigorating kopi luwak. It's time to continue our journey back to Jogjakarta. Catch me again soon for our next coffee break in Bandung. ☕️
For more about me, you may click here: Get to Know April: A Self-Intro Blog
Perhaps you might also like to read my other food blogs:
- Soto Betawi: The Search for the Ultimate Indonesian Food
- Kani Salad | My Own Version
- CRIBS: An Indonesian-Dutch Gastronomic Experience in Cebu
- Banh Mi Kitchen: My Favorite Kitchen
And please feel free to follow me to read more about my adventures and creative writing endeavours. Cheers! 🥂
Images: All photos are owned by the author unless otherwise indicated.
I wanna try this @ate.eping 😊
Taralets, @explorewithsasha. 😍 Nindut pa jud kaayu ang view padung diring dapita.
Yay!! Super love it @ate.eping masabtan ang mga adik sa coffee 😂
Ang mga adik ra jud sa coffee ang musulung aning dapita ba. Klariks na kaayu, hehe. 😆
Hahahah truly 😂
I brought that brown sugar with me back home as I was amazed at how distinct the taste was. And their supermarket has plenty of option for sugar from the granulated up to those in blocks and cubes. I did some research and those palm sugars in blocks were process manually thru boiling and reduction. The sugar also works perfectly with milktea. Sorry if i focused too much on the sugar haha as i did not enjoy the kopi luwak in bali..
Hehehehe, it's okay. It was also quite interesting for me. And yes, they have different types of sugar. Kasuway ku atung cylindrical block. Solid kaayu, uy. Pero lami kaayu sa banana cue. Try nya puhun sa kopi luwak. Mas nindut jud if sa Indonesia like sa Bali or Java, then kanang homegrown jud ba kay authentic.
Would love to try this one someday! Palm sugar cubes got me interested plus I love coffee ☺️
I think you would also love to try the other Indonesian coffee varieties, @sassycebuana. 😍 Pero lahi ra jud ning level sa kopi luwak tungud sa journey sa coffee bean, hehe. Puhun, dalhan nya ta mu ug Sumatran coffee. Dili kanang sa Starbucks. Local jud. Sa kopi Aceh (a Sumatran coffee variety) kay na-sigmat ku for twelve hours. Wala nuun ku nag-palpitate. 😆
LAMIIIIIAAAAA SA KAPE🤩
Never tried civet coffee yet, ms. Murag sign ni nga mu suway ko sa Civet Cafe sa IT Park hehe.
Love the photos 😍❤️
Thanks, miss @jongcl! Must-try jud, miss! 😍 Naa diay sa IT Park? Hala, uy. Banyaga na jud ku sa IT Park, ay. Na-ihas gani ku atung didtu ku stay for a week, hehehehehe.
I love coffee! 😍
I really wanna try this once in my life. Reading your blogs makes me wanna visit Indonesia.😄
That's good to know. Hope you'd get to travel to Indonesia soon and try their coffee. They have so many local varieties. 😍
very good
Thank you so much, @boeltermc. 😍
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Interesting experience. I think they used to feature civet coffee on TV as one of the most expensive coffees years back. How I wish I could taste it too 😊 Also wanna try the palm sugar cubes. Do they have this in the Philippines?
Thank you for sharing this 😊
Thank you! I haven't experienced the palm sugar cubes plus coffee combo in the Philippines yet. As with civet coffee, my friend has just told me that there's a coffee shop in Cebu IT Park that serves it. It's aptly called The Civet Coffee. Perhaps you would like to try it when you're in the neighbourhood. 😊
That's great to know. Thank you for the information
Maybe when I get to visit Cebu, I'll check it out 😊
My pleasure!
What an interesting and unique coffee experience😍 I used to dislike coffee because I get bad palpitations but now I just can't start my day without a cup!! Would love to try authentic civet coffee!! 🤗
I think it depends on the type of coffee. I don't get palpitations, but my hyperacidity does act up. So I try to limit my coffee intake. 😊 Yes, please; it's a must-try. I heard that there's The Civet Coffee shop in IT Park. Perhaps you can drop by one of these days. 😍
Ohh I guess it's best that you don't drink coffee on an empty stomach! 🤗🤗 Yes will try to drop by someday 🤗😍🥺