Kopi Luwak — The Controversy
Kopi Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world (up to 300€/kg) — and one of the most ethically questionable. The principle: The Luwak (Asian palm civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) eats ripe coffee cherries, ferments the beans in its digestive tract, and excretes them. The "passed-through" beans are collected, washed, roasted, and sold as luxury coffee.
In the wild, this would be a fascinating niche process — but the reality in Bali is shocking: Most "Kopi Luwak farms" keep the nocturnal, solitary animals in tiny wire cages, force-feed them coffee cherries, and expose them to extreme stress. Undercover investigations (including by the BBC) have documented horrific conditions: distressed animals self-harming, diseases, and early death.
Additionally: Most Kopi Luwak tastings at the "coffee plantations" along tourist routes are pure tourist traps. The supposed Luwak coffee is often regular coffee with a fake label, and the free "plantation tour" ends in an aggressive sales shop.
Achtung
Do not buy Kopi Luwak or visit Luwak farms that keep animals in cages. There is no way to produce "ethical" cage Luwak coffee — the animals always suffer. If you want to try Luwak coffee, look for certified wild Luwak coffee (significantly more expensive but cruelty-free). Better yet: Drink the excellent regular Kintamani coffee — it is just as good and ethically sound.