During a holiday in Bali, many tourists choose to participate in a guided tour who promises to discover the wonders of the island: breathtaking landscapes, Rice terraces, Traditional villagesbut also a visit to one coffee plantationwith the possibility of tasting the famous Kopi Luwak.
Presented as a precious and rare coffee, also sold to 80 euros per cupthe Kopi Luwak attracts for its curious origin. But what really hides behind this exotic drink? Behind the scenes of the “Zibetto coffee” there is no artisan production at all, but a supply chain powered by animal exploitation, disinformation And unaware tourism.
The Kopi Luwak is in fact obtained from ingested grains and then expelled from Zibetti delle Palmesmall night mammals. In theory, they would be free animals that choose only the best berries. In practice, they often come locked up in narrow cagesdeprived of freedom and forced to an exclusive -based forced diet of coffee berries.
A system is supported based on the forced detention of wild animals
These apparently harmless tours contribute to support a system based on the forced detention of wild animalsin precarious hygiene conditions and with serious consequences for their health: malnutrition, fur loss, chronic stress And compulsive behaviors are on the agenda. Passed off for one natural productionthat of Kopi Luwak is often a staging, in which the “wild” wording is only marketing: many beans come from Zibetti in captivityand in some cases even from Protected species.
The tourist narration almost never mention these aspects. Visitors thus find themselves tasting a “typical” product without knowing how to feed a cruel mechanismwhich has nothing to do with the Balinese traditions. And in addition to the ethical problem, there is also a health risk: stressed animals, sick and detained in precarious conditions can represent a potential vehicle of zonoicotic diseasesas already happened in the past.
The visit to a plantation may seem like a unique experience, but it is important to inquire and make aware choices. If you want to explore the culture of coffee in Bali, you can do so by supporting ethical productionswithout feeding the Kopi Luwak industry. Tourism should be a bridge between cultures, not a means of justifying the animal exploitation.
