Wild Kopi Luwak, Northern Sumatra - Indonesia

Foraged from the droppings of wild civets (known locally as luwak), the ‘magic’ of Kopi Luwak occurs in two parts: First, the wild Luwak selects the ripest coffee cherries using its acute sense of smell. Then, as it passes through the Luwak, the digestive acids create a molecular change in the bean, leaving it discernibly more brittle once collected and dried, enhancing the bean's natural qualities.

Properly foraged wild Kopi Luwak is only ever available in very small quantities as the process of finding these droppings within large forests is exceptionally time-consuming. The beauty of the coffee is that the civets are extremely selective and will only consume perfectly ripe coffee cherries, while the enzymes in the civet cat’s digestive tract effectively remove any bitterness.

In 2013, Sea Island Coffee staff began work with local farmers in Sumatra to develop an independently accredited certification standard for wild, ethically-sourced civet cat coffee in consultation with leading proponents of animal welfare, World Animal Protection, as well as various food-certification experts.

Foraged in the Gayo Highlands of northern Sumatra in Indonesia by a small group of farmers - only from wild civet cats living freely around the highlands, making use of the fact the civets naturally seek out ripe coffee cherries around the farms.