What is Black Ivory, The World’s Most Expensive Coffee Made From Elephant Dung

Black Ivory coffee may not be one of the most inviting drinks in the world, but it is certainly one of the most expensive. This is because it is a very special product obtained only in Northern Thailand thanks to the Black Ivory Coffee Company Ltd. Its peculiarity certainly lies in the fermentation process that occurs during the digestion of elephants: high-quality Arabica coffee beans are fed to local elephants and then, after being digested, are recovered from their feces. The price of this product? A kilo of Black Ivory coffee beans can cost over to 3,000 dollars, which absolutely certifies it as a luxury drink.

Why Does it Cost so Much?

A cup of this "black gold" can cost up to 96.50 dollars. The high price of this type of coffee is due to several factors and each of these has its own specific contribution that certainly increases the final price. The first constant that makes this drink very expensive is the very low yield of the fruit: approximately 33 kg of raw coffee cherries are needed to produce just one kilo of roasted Black Ivory coffee. Many beans are chewed, broken or lost during the elephant's digestive process and in the subsequent harvest. The latter is the result of intense laborious activity by farmers who, manually and daily, collect the beans from the elephant's excrement. A long and demanding process that significantly affects production costs.

The manufacturing company places great emphasis on the welfare of the elephants that are born and raised in the village of Ban Ta Klang, in the city of Surin. The animals live in a selected and sought-after habitat, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, where they spend their days in perfect conditions for their characteristics. They receive high-quality care, food, veterinary attention and are not force-fed coffee cherries. In fact, the keepers of the reserve mix the beans with rice, tamarind and bananas that the animals feed on. Digestion is completed in a period of time that can last from 12 to 72 hours.

All these are clearly other factors that skyrocket the price of the final product. The annual production of Black Ivory is extremely limited and this makes the coffee a rare and sought-after commodity by connoisseurs and those who want unique luxury experiences. Another important and very valuable thing, regarding this drink, is that a large part of the proceeds is donated to a foundation for elephants created specifically for this purpose. This contributes to their sustenance, to conservation projects and therefore to a total production circle that is almost impeccable.

Elephant Coffee: What Does Black Ivory Taste Like?

The inventor of Black Ivory coffee is Canadian Blake Dinkin. In an old interview with the Independent he explained that his intention was to do something creative and international and that, over time, it would have a positive impact. Launched in 2012, Dinkin worked for some time on the production of Kopi Luwak (another type of coffee with a similar fermentation process), during those years he thought that there could be something better ethically speaking. At that point the Canadian considered all types of animals from hippos to rhinos, to giraffes. In the end the ideal option fell on elephants while, together with a scientist, he worked on the pachyderms' favorite food.

"I chose to move to Thailand," Dinkin told The Independent. "Coffee is not very popular there, but there is a long tradition and history surrounding elephants that fascinated me. I have a good sense of humor and it makes me laugh when people tell me I have become a dung collector. I love what I do, I see the economic and social work involved and the proof is in the fact that my product is now served in the best five-star hotels in the world."

At this point, would you try it? Those who have tried Black Ivory coffee have described it as a smooth, bitter-free drink with notes of chocolate, cocoa, tamarind, and a hint of tobacco. Some people compare it to tea because of its complexity and smoothness. The elephants' digestive process, thanks to the enzymes in their stomachs, reduces the proteins that make coffee bitter, giving it a unique flavor profile.