Our Experience of a Bali Luwak Coffee Plantation Tour
A Journey Through the World of Luwak Coffee: Our Bali Plantation Tour
Watch our YouTube vid of our Bali Luwak Coffee Plantation visit below
When we embarked on our Bali month long trial (to see whether we could make the big move with our 2 kids), we took an unexpected trip to the above Luwak coffee plantation in Bali.
Unexpectedly, as we'd just been to a Water Purification Ceremony with a Balinese family that we'd met, who asked if we wanted to visit. We were without kids and I'm glad that we were. Kids would enjoy the learning aspect of the tour, but our kids are sensitive sausages and they get sad at zoo's so they wouldn't have enjoyed seeing the animals caged up.
We didn't really want to visit the Luwak Coffee place, but our balinese friends were being so sweet to us, showing us around their local area. They knew we loved coffee and suggested what they thought we would like to see. Sometimes the easiest option is to just smile and say 'ok' and do something that you might not ordinarily do.
We love coffee. We love seeing new things. We love animals. So the visit was conflicting for us from the start.
It's important to note at the beginning that nothing bad was happening here. The animal looked healthy and looked after. But from the start I'll just point out that vibrationally this didn't feel right for us. Since we go off energy, it didn't feel like a place that we wanted to enter. And we wouldn't return. We don't enjoy zoo's for the same reason. That said the education side of things was a great way to spend a an hour or so learning all about the processing of the amazing coffee bean that comes from the Luwaks bum!.
There are many people that are against Luwak coffee for being an abusive animal practice and also that it's actually very difficult to find authentic and ethically produced Luwak coffee. This post isn't written to discuss that side of kopi luwak and it's production, but has been written to educate and inform of our experience of visiting a luwak coffee plantation, so that you can plan your next Bali itinerary.
There were many tourists enjoying the tour and there was a chance to buy some Luwak Coffee at the end of the tour. So people do seem to enjoy this kind of thing. We wanted to share our experience of visiting the Luwak Coffee Plantation in Bali so that coffee lovers can make their own mind up whether to visit a Luwak Coffee Tour for themselves when next on their Bali vacation. Bahasa Indonesia Language Lesson: COFFEE = KOPI. Prounced (koh-pee). When speaking Bahasa we put the noun first so Luwak coffee would be Kopi Luwak. Luwak pronounced (Loo-Wak).
What is Luwak Coffee?
Kopi Luwak, is one of the rarest coffees in the world. And up there with one of the most expensive coffees too. Also known as civet coffee, kopi luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, that the Asian palm civets LOVE to eat, which have been eaten and pooped out. The cherries are fermented as they pass through the civet's intestines, and are collected after being pooped out. The belief is that the digestive enzymes remove the acidity from the coffee beans.
Why is Luwak coffee so expensive?
It's expensive because of the unusual lengthy processing that it goes through. The time and expense that goes into farming the beans. First the cherry orchards maintenance, then the cherries needing to be eaten and processed through the digestive system of an animal and extracted from it's poop. All requiring care and costs. The belief is that the digestive enzymes remove the acidity from the coffee beans, resulting in a smoother cup of coffee.
The average cup of Luwak Coffee in Bali costs around $30 US dollars.
It's believed that because of these high prices that Luwak coffee can demand over a normal cup of coffee, that the whole process is unregulated and thus prices have been driven up by the lack of regulation and tourists all wanting to try and take home that famour Luwak Coffee. Some places in Bali charge up to $80 US Dollars for one single cup. Hmmmm.
The Allure of Luwak Coffee
Luwak coffee, or Kopi Luwak as it’s known locally, is renowned for its rarity and distinctive flavour profile. What sets it apart is its unusual production process. The coffee beans for Luwak coffee, are consumed and then excreted by the civet cat, a small, nocturnal mammal found in Southeast Asia. The beans pass through the civet’s digestive tract, where they are fermented and undergo a transformation that purportedly enhances their flavour.
Arrival at the Plantation
As we arrived at the plantation, we were greeted by the warm Balinese sun and a serene landscape of verdant coffee trees. The plantation itself was a picturesque sight—a blend of traditional Balinese architecture and lush coffee fields. Our guide welcomed us with a friendly smile and a brief overview of what lay ahead.
A Walk Through the Coffee Fields
Our first stop was a stroll through the coffee fields. The plantation was a vibrant tapestry of green, with coffee trees bearing clusters of red and green cherries. We learned about the different stages of coffee cultivation, from the careful planting of the coffee saplings to the meticulous harvesting of the cherries. The guide explained the importance of soil quality, altitude, and climate in producing high-quality coffee beans. And showed us beans in different stages of their growth.
Meeting the Civets
Next, we visited the civet enclosure, which was rather sad. A lone civet lay on a branch, looking sleepy and sad. The civet, is a beautiful creature, with a distinctive striped tail and beautiful eyes. Our guide explained that these animals are well cared for and live in a controlled environment to ensure their well-being. We were told that the civet in the cage, is in there for only a few hours then returned to it's natural habitat, for another covet to be replaced. I'm not a fan of zoo's and so didn't feel good about this.
Check out our YouTube Video of the Luwak Coffee Plantation visit | Pinterest
The Processing of Luwak Coffee
The most fascinating part of the tour was witnessing the processing of Luwak coffee. We saw the collected beans being carefully cleaned, dried, and roasted. The roasting process was particularly intriguing, as the beans were transformed from green to a rich, aromatic brown. The guide shared insights into how roasting time and temperature affect the flavour profile of the coffee.
A Tasting Experience
No visit to a coffee plantation is complete without a tasting session. We were led to a cozy tasting area overlooking the picturesque fields. The staff prepared a selection of coffees, including the highly sought-after Luwak coffee. Each cup was a revelation.
The Luwak coffee was exceptionally smooth, with a unique richness and depth of flavour. We also sampled other varieties, each with its own distinct notes and nuances.
Reflecting on the Experience
As we sipped our coffee and soaked in the stunning views, we reflected on the intricate journey from bean to cup. The visit had given us a profound appreciation for the craftsmanship and dedication involved in producing Luwak coffee. It wasn’t just about the coffee itself but the entire process—we hoped that the Balinese culture of care and respect for animals is applied to the civets at the plantation.
Our day at the Luwak coffee plantation was an immersive experience that connected us to the rich traditions and sustainable practices of Balinese coffee cultivation. It would have been much better to see a video or pictures of the civets in their natural habitat, rather than see this lone civet caged up.
At the end you get to stop by the shop to buy some coffee. We bought a coconut coffee from the one we loved the most from our tasting experience.
It's no secret that we more than enjoy a cup of coffee, and it was a good experience to understand the journey the bean has taken to reach our cups, even if it is through an animals bum.
If you find yourself in Bali and have an appreciation for coffee, a visit to a Luwak coffee plantation is an unforgettable experience that offers a deep dive into one of the world’s most intriguing coffee traditions.
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