Posted on 12/09/2005 2:30:19 PM PST by StoneWallJack
The Palm Civet or marsupial luwak of Indonesia a tree climbing animal that ranges in weight from three to ten pounds uses its sense of smell and eyesight to seek out its favorite treat the ripest coffee cherries. The Palm Civet or Luwak passes the cherry through the digestive track where the beans exit the animal basically intact. The beans are then patiently harvested from the forest floor near coffee plantations carefully cleaned and roasted.
The beans are usually given a light to dark roast to avoid destruction of the complex flavors which have developed through the process. This unique processing is said to give the resulting coffee a rich, heavy flavor with some hints of caramel or chocolate. Some other words used to describe this cup of joe by those fortunate enough to try it have been earthy, musty and exotic with syrupy body and smooth flavor.
The University of Guelph did a study in which they examined the chemical and physical properties of the Kopi Luwak coffee bean and compared them to that of a regular coffee bean. Their results are quite interesting. They found the unroasted Kopi Luwak coffee beans had more red and yellow tones than a Columbian coffee bean. They also found the Kopi Luwak gourmet coffee bean to have less total protein, less bacterial count, some pitting on the surface of the coffee bean and different compounds. This may explain why the Kopi Luwak coffee is said to be less bitter and have a different aroma than other gourmet coffee.
Although this gourmet coffees exact date of discovery is not known. The strange origins of this rare gourmet coffee make it labor-intensive and time-consuming to produce. Gourmet coffee lovers are willing to pay a premium for this rare and exotic blend and consider it worth the effort and trouble involved. Here is your chance to be among the few who have tried Kopi Luwak coffee. We have been able to secure a small quantity of Kopi Luwak coffee at a substantial discount and once sold out we do not know when we will be able to procure more.
Offhand, I dunno.
Could it need to be cleaned at all?
The percolator I have tends to make noise and slow down when it needs thorough cleaning.
"http://turbocrazy.atspace.com/"
Thanks for that!
Pour some Melita coffee beans on a table next to Starbuck beans. See the difference? It is the oil content and the roasting of the beans that makes the difference. Starbucks has mastered the roasting of the beans. Make a pot of Starbucks and a pot of Melita. Taste the difference? Starbucks is rich in flavor. Melita makes you want to vomit.
Sam, snippy, you're pretty serious about your coffee, anything helpful for Perfesser?
(Post 80)
Who's a$$ did those beans come out of?
Thanks.........My dear departed younger brother loved his coffee. Somewhat of a snob about it, actually. I told him that he was not a conniseur? because he demanded it be the same all the time. I said a conniseur would drink whatever was available. Only then could he learn the difference between the good and the bad. He was the only one who could drink it his way. You could dilute it with half water and still have a very strong cup of coffee. Anyway, I do try to improve the enjoyment of coffee when I can. It is cheaper to buy it green and roast it.
I sure he was still here to argue with about it.
When I want something better than everyday Melita- a mild roast just the way I like it- for special occasions, I go to the local coffee co.
It's not only cheaper and better coffee, they're good people.
I sure WISH he were here to argue with about it.
Welcome.
LOL, sounds like he liked the stuff the way I make it.
Haven't roasted the stuff personally.
I have run across some stuff that was pretty anemic though.
I understand that.
"Starbucks is for insecure suckers."
Lots of good people drink Starbucks. You appear to have issues other than coffee quality or individual preference..
I'm too lazy, but here's the place to go: Sweet Maria's - it's where I've been buying my green beans to roast at home for about 6 years.
I haven't bought coffee in a (bleh!) can in 30 years, and haven't bought roasted whole beans in 5. Starbucks is simply poor coffee, marked way up.
Do your own; as with most homegrown chemistry, it's better.
Actually, lots of people drink sugery, milky, chococoffee-flavored overpriced froofroo drinks at Starbucks.
Try going in there and ordering just a plain black coffee. It's awful.
He took his coffee maker with him when he traveled so his wife could set it up anywhere and make him a cup. He wasn't aware of the roasting your own possibilities, but did buy the whole beans and grind them. He bought me a coffee mug once for $9.00. He fancied himself a high roller. I thought he was nuts. I may drink tanzanian peaberry or huehuetanango from quatemala but I also drink Folger's when I have to. Caffiene is our friend.
Starbucks brewed coffee is rank, imo. An ordinary coffee vending machine is better. I say this in all sincerity.
Starbucks lattes and tazo drinks are very good.
Thank you every much, and I love your handle.
So, are you saying that Starbucks makes bad coffee because people are buying froofroo coffee drinks at their stores? If it's awful, why are you frequenting Starbucks stores?
Caffiene, a gift from above for those of us who need an extra kick.
;-)
My mug is older than I am, and my spoon is an American Airlines stainless...
*chuckle*
Yes, I am very picky about who touches my mug and spoon.
(Not too picky about my coffee grind or roast, only so long as it isn't anemic.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.