Weasel Coffee in Dalat, Vietnam (Coffee from Civet Droppings)

Weasel Coffee in Dalat, Vietnam: A unique coffee tasting experience with mr.hotsia

When it comes to Vietnamese coffee, many think of the strong flavor and rich aroma of Robusta coffee served with sugar and condensed milk. But for me, mr.hotsia, this visit to Dalat was a special opportunity to experience another world-famous coffee type: “Weasel coffee,” also known asWeasel coffeeorKopi Luwakitself.

Dalat, located in Lam Dong Province, is a city with cool weather year-round, famous for its flower gardens, lakes, and Buddhist temples such asTruc Lam Templebut this time I chose to explore the coffee plantations and the unique production process of weasel coffee here.

Getting to Know Weasel Coffee

The origin of weasel coffee is not from Vietnam but started in Indonesia over 200 years ago. The civet, locally called “ee hen,” eats ripe coffee cherries, which then pass through its digestive system. The coffee beans undergo enzymatic changes that alter the proteins, resulting in a distinctive aroma and flavor different from regular coffee.

I, mr.hotsia, purchased a Country Tour in Dalat for about 400 baht per day, which included visits to coffee gardens, cricket farms, Elephant Waterfall, and more. One highlight was witnessing the weasel coffee production process at a farm where civets are kept behind the shop.

Firsthand Experience at a Coffee Garden in Dalat

Walking into the coffee garden, I smelled the fresh aroma of newly roasted coffee beans. The surroundings were filled with neatly lined coffee trees. The small civets kept behind the shop looked calm and cute, sleeping comfortably in their cages. This made me realize they don’t eat coffee beans to the point of eye irritation as many believe.

I saw samples of collected civet droppings, which appeared as long hard pellets containing carefully separated coffee beans. These beans are then washed, cleaned, roasted, and ground into finished coffee.

Interestingly, Vietnamese weasel coffee is much cheaper than what I’ve seen in Thailand. Some Thai shops sell a cup for 1,500 baht, but here I drank authentic coffee for only 75 baht per cup. The taste was smooth, sweet, and mild, not as bitter as regular coffee, with a distinctive fragrant aroma.

Why Try Weasel Coffee in Dalat?

Some may wonder if this coffee is truly good or just a novelty selling the mystery of civet droppings. From my perspective, mr.hotsia, seeing the actual production process and tasting coffee at the source gave me a better understanding and confidence in its quality.

Moreover, Dalat is a great city for relaxed travel with interesting spots like Tuyen Lam Lake, the old train station, and the Zen Buddhist templeTruc Lam Templewhich I have visited. It’s perfect for those who enjoy resting in a cool atmosphere surrounded by beautiful nature.

Tips for Travelers Wanting to Try Weasel Coffee

If you have a chance to visit northern or central Vietnam and want to try weasel coffee, I recommend visiting Dalat at least once. Here, coffee farms and cafes are more trustworthy than mere souvenir sellers. You will see the real production steps and drink fresh authentic coffee.

Also, prepare well for your trip, as reaching some coffee gardens may require cars or motorcycles traveling through mountainous and scenic routes.

If you’re interested in travel and accommodation in northern Vietnam and other cities, you can read more in the articlesLang Son Province, VietnamandVinh Long Bus Stationwhich I have previously written.

Summary

Weasel coffee in Dalat is not just a luxurious and expensive drink but an experience I, mr.hotsia, am proud to have had. Seeing the lifestyle of locals raising civets and carefully making coffee makes this small cup of coffee more valuable than just the word “coffee.”

If you have the chance to visit Dalat, don’t forget to try weasel coffee here. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

mr.hotsia