Kopi Luwak FAQ

Everything you wanted to know about the world’s rarest coffee, answered by the people who source it.

1. About Kopi Luwak and Ethical Sourcing

What is kopi luwak?

Kopi luwak is coffee made from cherries that the Asian palm civet, called luwak in Indonesia, eats and naturally ferments before the beans are collected, washed, and roasted. It is produced two ways: from caged civets fed coffee only, or from wild, free-roaming civets in the forest. Original Luwak sources only the second, in Aceh Tengah.

Is kopi luwak really cat poop coffee?

Yes, that is the nickname. Kopi luwak is made from coffee cherries eaten and passed by a wild civet, a small forest mammal that is not actually a cat. The beans are washed, dried, hulled, and roasted above 200°C, so nothing of the droppings reaches the cup. Read our full guide to cat poop coffee.

How is kopi luwak made?

A wild civet eats ripe coffee cherries, the seeds pass through it whole, and collectors gather them from the forest floor. The beans are semi-washed, dried, manually dry-hulled, sorted, graded, and roasted to order. Every step happens in Aceh Tengah. See the full process on our Luwak Journey page.

What is Original Luwak’s stance on animal welfare?

We are committed to 100% ethical and humane sourcing. We strictly adhere to cage-free, wild-foraged and Free-Roaming collection practices. We do not source from any farms or cooperatives that trap, cage, or force-feed civets. Our process relies on farmers carefully collecting the beans that are naturally excreted by wild civets in their native habitat.

Why is Kopi Luwak so expensive?

Because wild civets produce very little of it, every bean is collected by hand from forest droppings, and about half the harvest is discarded during sorting. Supply cannot be raised without caging the animal, which ruins the coffee. Our most expensive coffee guide breaks down the real prices.

How do I know your coffee is truly wild-sourced?

We work with verified suppliers and require documentation, including third-party audits or cooperative certifications, to ensure full traceability back to the collection area. We are transparent about our ethical standards and encourage customers to inquire about our specific certifications.

What animal makes kopi luwak?

The Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), known as the luwak in Indonesia. It is a small, nocturnal mammal from the viverrid family, not a cat, that eats ripe coffee cherries and passes the beans intact. Original Luwak collects only from wild, free-roaming civets in Aceh Tengah, never from caged animals.

Is it ‘kopi luwak’, ‘luwak coffee’, or ‘coffee luwak’?

All three name the same coffee. Kopi is the Indonesian word for coffee and luwak is the civet, so kopi luwak is the original Indonesian name. Luwak coffee is the usual English word order, and coffee luwak is a literal, word-for-word translation you will see on some packaging and menus.

2. Orders, Shipping, and Returns

Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

No. We are a retail e-commerce site, and you can purchase as little as a single bag of whole or ground beans.

How long does shipping take?

We typically process and ship orders within 2–3 business days of payment confirmation. Shipping time depends on the destination and the method you select at checkout.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship worldwide. Please note that international buyers are responsible for all customs fees, taxes, and import duties imposed by their country upon delivery.

What is your return and refund policy?

Due to the perishable nature of roasted coffee beans and for hygiene reasons, all sales are final. We do not accept returns or exchanges unless the product arrived damaged or defective. If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographic evidence for a replacement or refund.

3. Payment and Quality

How much does kopi luwak cost?

Verified wild kopi luwak retails for roughly $600 to $1,300 per kilogram as of 2026, while caged production sells from about $100 per kilogram. At Original Luwak, the 100 g pouch is $79 and the 100 g gift tin is $99, roasted to order. See our kopi luwak price guide for the full market table.

How much is kopi luwak coffee per cup?

At a 15 gram dose, a $79 pouch of Original Luwak works out to about $11 per cup, and the 100 g pouch makes roughly seven cups. Across the wider market, wild kopi luwak lands between $9 and $20 per cup in 2026, and anything far below that is usually caged, blended, or not kopi luwak.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and other common payment methods such as PayPal or digital wallets listed on our checkout page.

How is the coffee cleaned and processed to ensure food safety?

Once collected, the beans undergo an intensive and rigorous multi-stage process:

  1. Cleaning: The outer parchment is removed, and the beans are thoroughly washed multiple times.
  2. Drying: The beans are carefully sun-dried to optimal moisture levels.
  3. Hulling & Sorting: The beans are hulled and then hand-sorted to remove any defects.
  4. Roasting: The beans are then freshly roasted to perfection. This final high-temperature process eliminates any potential contaminants, ensuring a safe, high-quality product that meets international food safety standards.

What quality grades do you offer?

We focus exclusively on Speciality Grade Arabica beans that have been naturally selected by the civets. Our Q Graders and experienced roasters ensure the final product meets the highest standards for aroma, flavour, and consistency.

4. Contact and Partnership

I have a question not listed here. Who should I contact?

Please reach out to our customer support team:

Do you offer wholesale or bulk purchasing?

Yes, we offer bulk pricing partnerships for businesses, cafes, and distributors. Please contact our sales team at info@original-luwak.com with your inquiry.