The Asian Palm Civit plays an intergal role in the production of the world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak. Civits ingest coffee berries, which pass through the intestinal tract. The enzymes in the tract make a coffee bean that is the envy of coffee drinkers around the world. Kopi Luwak is an ingredient in a few beer offerings, including Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch Weasel, and Jester King’s Weasel Rodeo.
According to UK Website The Guardian, tens of thousands of civets are confined to tiny cages and forced berries to produce the beans. While the Asian Palm Civit isn’t in any extinction danger, the treatment in the production process raises moral questions for some.
Photograph: guardian.co.uk
