.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright March 2024
Kopi luwak, the famed Indonesian coffee made from beans collected from civet droppings, has long been a pricey delicacy enjoyed by tourists in Bali and connoisseurs worldwide.
It was made famous by a Hollywood movie "The Bucket List" featuring Jack Nicholson acting in a role of a wealthy banker who adored the coffee. This endorsement probably helped propel demand for the beverage.
However, a recent video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or Peta, has shed light on the dark side of this industry, revealing the unethical treatment of civets.
The footage, taken at a farm in Catur, shows civets confined in wire cages, debunking the myth that the beans are sourced from the wild.
One kopi luwak seller even admitted to forcibly confining the animals. Peta's investigation highlights the cruelty endured by these animals, including being fed rotten coffee berries and suffering from open wounds.
While the Bali Tourism Board has not yet commented on the regulations surrounding kopi luwak production, Peta's message is clear: there is no ethically made civet coffee.
The confinement and suffering of these animals should serve as a warning to tourists and connoisseurs to steer clear of kopi luwak.
Despite its high price point and market size, which is projected to grow significantly, the ethical concerns surrounding kopi luwak should not be ignored.
Peta's call for a boycott is a reminder that our consumer choices have consequences, and it's important to consider the welfare of animals in the products we choose to consume.
However, a boycott may also have consequences on the industry and eventually employees involved in the production of kopi luwak.
Perhaps, more effectively, an official representation from Peta and other environmental groups to meet business owners and manufacturers with a plea to improve conditions faced by civet cats in captivity, may be a better option with a total boycott employed as a last resort.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.