$200-a-pound civet dung coffee may be banned...

[peejay 327]

$200-a-pound civet dung coffee may be banned

Associated Press

July 19, 2010, 7:21AM

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia's top Islamic body says it may forbid followers from drinking the world's most expensive coffee — extracted from the dung of a civet cat — over concerns it is unclean.

Kopi Luwak is made from hard beans that have been eaten by the nocturnal critters and then fermented in their stomachs before being pooped out and roasted. It's highly prized for its smooth flavor and bitterless aftertaste, sometimes fetching well over $200 a pound online.

Maruf Amien, acting head of the powerful Ulema Council, said a ruling on whether Muslims should be banned from drinking the brew could be made as early as Tuesday. He said the key issue is whether or not the coffee is clean.

"God willing it will be an easy decision," said Amien. "If the farmers clean the beans before they are grinded, they are halal, or legitimate, and there won't be a problem."

Kopi Luwak is produced on several Indonesian islands, spanning from Sumatra in the west to Sulawesi in the east, but it also can be found under different names elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Only 1,000 pounds are said to be produced annually worldwide.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation. The influential Ulema Council often issues fatwas, or edicts, including several controversial rulings against smoking and yoga. Its edicts are not legally binding, but many devout Muslim abide by them.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bizarre/7114388.html

[Nagishkaw 510]

Indonesia's top Islamic body says it may forbid followers from drinking the world's most expensive coffee — extracted from the dung of a civet cat — over concerns it is unclean.

Ya think?

[LiLMermaid 2]

$200 a lb for something that the cat crapped out...If you can market that...you can market anything. Wow

[Ban Hammer 13,716]

this reminds me of cheech and chong's "labrador" pot

[IndigoSkies 168]

$200 a lb for something that the cat crapped out...If you can market that...you can market anything. Wow

It has been marketed for years. Anything can be market if there is a demand for it or if it provides some utility or luxury to people.

[LiLMermaid 2]

I think the whole idea of caviar is disgusting too....so don't mind my opinions. lol I have simple tastes....

[IndigoSkies 168]

Cavier is just fish egg. It's far less disgusting then something that came out of cat's #######. If you were comparing civet dung coffee to fish poop, then I would've agreed. Cavier is delicious. But being in the social class that I am stuck in, I can be assured that I haven't tried proper cavier just yet. Maybe someday. For now, I'll stick with fish roe wrapped in pumpkin leaves with a dash of salt, grill over open flame. That's my cavier and it's delicious.

[Dan J 277]

$200 a lb for something that the cat crapped out...If you can market that...you can market anything. Wow

The whole idea is that the civet picks only the coffee berries that are at the perfect state of ripeness. The fruit of the bean is digested leaving the bean intact. Its picked up and washed to be used for coffee.

I did see some for sale in Indonesia as Pasaraya (Sort of a government owned Dept store, with floors for Indonesian crafts and goods), but it was selling for about $200 for just 100 grams.

[Peikko 1,575]

Some people are very ignorant - and they think their ketchup is "clean"?

I don't drink coffee and even if I did I would not pay $200 for the privilege, but unclean? That's just funny.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[IndigoSkies 168]

I just wanted to clarify the one thing. The reason this is being banned is because of the fermentation, not because it comes from thet cat's dung. Unclean here means the beans might have alcohol in it. This is more likely the scenario since Islam is involved.

[peejay 327]

Some people are very ignorant - and they think their ketchup is "clean"?

I don't drink coffee and even if I did I would not pay $200 for the privilege, but unclean? That's just funny.

A lot of things we eat aren't clean, but heat it up enough to kill the bacteria and the point is moot except for the gross out factor. People get sick from eating fecal contaminated ground beef that has not been thoroughly cooked, but if it is thoroughly cooked they will not get sick.

[rlogan 2,036]

The cats are not muslim. So they are trying an outreach program.

[Peikko 1,575]

A lot of things we eat aren't clean, but heat it up enough to kill the bacteria and the point is moot except for the gross out factor. People get sick from eating fecal contaminated ground beef that has not been thoroughly cooked, but if it is thoroughly cooked they will not get sick.

How is something 'unclean' if it has been sterilized by heat, exactly? I see chem 101 was a bit much for you.

You did see the clean was in quotes to demonstrate that 'clean' is an unscientific and useless term in this instance?

[peejay 327]

How is something 'unclean' if it has been sterilized by heat, exactly? I see chem 101 was a bit much for you.

You did see the clean was in quotes to demonstrate that 'clean' is an unscientific and useless term in this instance?

Go split hairs with someone who gives a sh*t. I stopped giving a sh*t a long time ago.

[Peikko 1,575]

Go split hairs with someone who gives a sh*t. I stopped giving a sh*t a long time ago.

Which is why you split hairs in the first place, right You just made my day, yay!!!!