Coffee made from poop?

While watching the the World Cup opening game of Mexico vs South Africa at La Guelaguetza, one of my friend's mentioned something about some most expensive coffee in the world. The coffee was so expensive because it had something to do with it being pooped out by some kind of monkeys...I was like whaaaaa...

Extremely intrigued, I immediately looked it up upon getting home, in disbelief of course, and lo and behold, found it was true.

Apparently, this coffee, named Kopi Luwak, is coffee that is made up from defecated coffee berries that the Asian Palm Civet could not digest.

Civets, which are actually not monkeys but mammals of the viverridae family are very much like Racoons. Or better said, more like long-nose felines that are often called or even referred to as "Toddy Cats". They are often found in the Southern part of Asia and Indonesia, where the name actually stems from, and in some parts of Southern China. They are exclusively nocturnal and are omnivores although their diet mainly consists of fruits.



Civets also like to eat red coffee berries and beans. In most of the jungles they live in, they are able to find the sweetest and ripest of the berries or beans. The only problem is, they can not digest them. So when these Civets defecate these beans, they come out in their entirety and are clumped up together as seen below.




So I am assuming some person, maybe on shrooms or bored, was one day walking through the jungles and witnessed a Civet pooping or something. Noticed that they were undigested coffee beans and for some strange reason decided to grab the poop, wash the beans of course, roast them, grind them and make themselves a cup of coffee. And wallah, the Kopi Luwak was born.

What was actually discovered was that the enzymes in the civet's tummy break down the coffee's bitterness which then leave behind an extremely delicious and unique bean of coffee. How this or any one person thought they can market this?...I don't know.

But today, the Kopi Luwa, goes through a more rigorous process. After it is collected, the beans are processed hygienically then given a medium roast so it would not destroy the complex flavors that develop naturally through the process and then served in a small cup much so like an espresso.


The result? A coffee that is said to be non-bitter and of a naturally rich caramelish-chocolate-like flavor. Many have attempted to breed their own Civets and hand feed them but due to the naturalness of their living conditions and habitat of the jungle, the breeders have not had success.

The coffee is said to be the most expensive coffee in the world, $30 - $50 dollars a cup! That is far from your daily visit at Starbucks or Coffee Bean or even 7/11 for your daily dose of caffeine. When packaged, it can cost you anywhere between $250 - $400 a pound.


Now, I personally love coffee...I drink it every day. I have had some really good java but never as such as Kopi Luwak. I am dying to try this coffee but I do not have the $400.00 disposably to drop on a pound of coffee. The other bad thing is, I do not plan to visit Indonesia any time soon, but I know it is sold and found in Japan, which I may be heading out to this year or early next. This would definitely be on my list to try. $30 a cup? I can do that and would just to taste and experience it. If sooooo good as they say...I may just very well dish out the 3 bills for a pound. I can't, although, help to think what kind of breath it leaves afterwards.

Kopi - Indonesian for cofee
Luwak - Indonesian for Civet

Where to Eat Around the World and Watch the World Cup in L.A.

As we all know, or at least most of us in the entire world knows, The World Cup begins tomorrow. The opening game will be Mexico vs the host, South Africa.

Many have questioned where to best watch the games. Some, due to how early the games are being aired, have pretty much settled for watching them at home and/or setting the DVR on record to watch them later. Yet, many, specially futbol (soccer) fans, have the desire to get up early, maybe even call in sick and possibly head out to a cool joint or spot to watch the game in a different setting other than that of their home.

Well, my boy, Hadley Tomicki, who has been blogging and writing for years now, and who is the editor of the famous LA Taco site, has compiled a nice little set for Los Angeles Grub Street of places to eat, drink and/or watch the World Cup. He has even arranged them by country and origin of food so that you may enjoy watching the game amongst your paisanos.

To view this list and scope out cool spots to watch the game, visit Los Angeles Grub Street and also don't forget to visit his site LA Taco for great updates and posts.

Enjoy the games ya'll and Arriba Mexico Ca***es!!!!!!

Escargot at Taix

That's right!! - SNAILS!! Snails have been consumed for centuries now and are considered a delicacy in many countries. Many may immediately cringe or frown at the idea of eating a slimy insect but snails aren't insects. They are, in fact, considered mollusks. Mollusks are an animal group that include: slugs, oysters, clams, octopus, sea slugs, squid and of course the nautilus to name a few.

The most eaten form of snails are land snails of the helix category, or more commonly known by its French word escargot.


Escargot is not necessarily what many assume it is. A dish filled with slimy slugs that one found in their backyard or garden or in some ditch somewhere and were somehow cooked. The preparation process of escargot is about two to three weeks before being served. The snails are made to fast for about three days or more with only water available. The snails are then fed flour and only drink water for at least another week. These first two steps are to cleanse the snails. The snails are then removed from their shells (gutted) and cooked, traditionally, with garlic and butter. They are then poured back into the shells along with its own butter. There are, of course, other ways to prepare the snails such as boiled in chicken broth and/or one can add more garlic as well as thyme, parsley and pine nuts.

Once they are done, they are then served on a special escargot plate/dish along with special snail tongs (for holding the shell) and snail forks (for extracting the meat).


The Escargot Plate. Although there are different kinds, this one in particular is the stainless steel kind.


The special tongs and fork...

Anywho - so I received a call from my friend Nick about a week ago from Taix French Restaurant in Echo Park. Since that call, I have been thinking about and craving escargot so I decided to make a trip out to Taix. I have been there a few times before and I personally have never been disappointed. Their portions are relatively larger than your usual French food portions and the food is simply delicious.

They have a lounge area called 321 that offers a happy hour between 5pm and 7PM, Monday thru Friday. At the bar you will find a bartender, Fernando, who is 77 years old and has been there for many years. He will welcome you with a smile, provide you excellent service and fill you with amazing stories. If you choose to sit at a table, then you may meet Tony who is an absolute sweetheart. She will definitely bring a warm smile to your face.

The diners are a mix of those who have been coming for nearly 20 years, you have your elderly couples, young couples, of course your singles and locals and some, whose parents have brought them to the establishment since their early childhood years. Keep in mind, Taix is located in Echo Park so you may find a couple of hipsters here and there.

So upon arriving, I was like, "Fernando, traime una orden de caracoles y sirveme una cerveza fria porfavor". While my order of escargot was being prepared, I chatted it up with fernando and some locals while I sipped on a Taix draft beer, which is a Stone Ale like beer. When my escargot arrived, I pretty much devoured them. There is no need to mention, the escargot were delicious and I was completely satisfied. I usually order my escargot with extra garlic and parsley. I used the French bread they serve to dip in the garlicy butter. Mmmmmm....sooooo GOOD. I was going to order the special of the day, Cuisses de Grenouille (frog legs) but the gentleman sitting next to me had ordered the last one. *sighs*. Maybe next time. I ended up ordering the Short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes.


My dish of Escargot

So if ever daring enough to try escargot and/or in the mood for some, make sure you swing by to Taix. Try to hit their happy hour which is good. They also have a happy hour menu that includes fries and mayo, marinated olives, pate, sweet potato fries and Rosette de Lyon and so on. But If wanting to dine, I highly recommend it too. Not only will you enjoy the food in a nice quite setting, but you will definitely be thrown back to nostalgia.

Taix French Restaurant
1911 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 484-1265