Who doesn’t know civet coffee? Surely many coffee lovers know about civet coffee. But it turns out that luwak coffee has many types and variants. One of the most famous variants of luwak coffee is gayo luwak coffee. This coffee is one of the precious gems originating from the land of Gayo, Aceh Province.
Of course, this civet coffee has many features among other civet coffee variants. Therefore, this coffee has many enthusiasts in the field of coffee. Well, on our occasion this time, we will discuss more about gayo luwak coffee. For those of you who are curious about what it is, see the following article until the end!
What is Gayo Luwak Coffee?
Gayo civet coffee is a variant of civet coffee, which is coffee produced from the fermentation process carried out by civet animals. The civet eats the coffee beans and ferments them in its stomach and then excretes them through its feces along with the civet’s feces.
However, one unique thing is that the coffee beans from the civet will remain intact like normal coffee beans. This is because mongoose animals only take the sweet glucose content, so the coffee beans are not destroyed in the digestive process.
Kopi luwak gayo or kopi luwak aceh is one of the coffee variants that has many enthusiasts both in Indonesia and abroad. Therefore, this coffee has become one of Indonesia’s pride coffees.
Luwak coffee is produced from coffee plantations located in the highlands of Aceh Gayo, Sumatra, which has an altitude of 1200 – 1700 meters above sea level. The area is known for having a geographical location that is very suitable for the growth of high-quality arabica coffee. Therefore, most of the civet coffee originating from the area is of the arabica type.
Specialties of Gayo Luwak Coffee
Like other coffee beans, luwak gayo coffee beans also have features that distinguish them from other coffee beans. The features are as follows:
Undergoes a Unique Fermentation Process
The flavors present in this coffee come from a unique fermentation process with the help of civet animals. The best selection of high-quality coffee beans in the gayo highland coffee plantations are picked and given to the civet. Then the civet will eat the selected coffee beans, and after eating the coffee beans will undergo fermentation in the civet’s digestive process.
Some coffee experts claim that this process is one of the things that gives coffee its delicate flavor and distinctive aroma. The natural fermentation gives a flavor that is very different from arabica coffee that is not fermented by the civet.
This natural fermentation process is why luwak coffee is more expensive than regular coffee beans. The reason is that coffee beans that go through the fermentation by mongooses is very limited. The mongoose only wants to eat the really best beans, as it has an uncanny instinct for selecting perfectly ripe beans.
Has a Stunning Taste
Of course, one of the special things about this civet coffee is that the flavor is extraordinary and very mesmerizing. Kopi luwak aceh has a smooth, nutty flavor and a balanced sourness. This unique flavor is the main attraction for coffee lovers around the world.
In addition, Kopi Luwak Aceh also offers a different sensation for coffee connoisseurs who want to experience a different coffee flavor from the coffee they usually enjoy.
However, while the flavor of this aceh or gayo civet coffee is mesmerizing, it turns out that the production process is contentious in terms of ethics and animal protection. This is based on concerns for the welfare of civet animals.
Production Process
To produce civet coffee beans that are ready for consumption, they must undergo a long process. The process is as follows:
- The production process of gayo luwak coffee begins with the selection of high-quality arabica coffee beans available on gayo coffee plantations.
- Next, the fully ripened coffee beans are picked and given to the mongoose for consumption.
- After the civet digests the coffee beans, the coffee beans will be found in the form of civet feces. After that, the coffee beans are collected and cleaned for further processing into gayo civet coffee.
That’s the article that discusses civet coffee originating from the Aceh region. Curious about other Indonesian specialty coffees? Click here.
