kopi luwak coffee

after we ate breakfast near the volcano, we rode our bikes to a coffee and herb plantation.  we were able to learn about different herbs and fruits they grow there as well as the process they go through when making and roasting their coffee.

one thing that was very interesting was learning about the civets and how they make kopi luwak coffee.  civets are wild animals that live in the forests that this plantation catches and cages for a few days.  the reason they catch them is because these animals eat and chew on the coffee beans, but they are unable to digest the actual bean, so they poop it out.  this plantation collects their poop, washes it, collects the whole beans from it and roasts it to make coffee.

they only cage the civets for a couple days, then release them and catch new civets, always keeping on a rotation in order to lessen the stress of the animals.

this coffee is probably the most expensive coffee in the world.  we were informed that it sells in new york for about $80 acup.  it is also featured in the movie "the bucket list".

after learning about how the plantation works, they served us complimentary samples of their different coffees and teas that they make.  we enjoyed our samples while overlooking the most lush view possible.