ALAMID Meaning and
Definition
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Alamid, also known as civet coffee, is a type of coffee that is made from beans that have been digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small mammal native to Southeast Asia. The name "alamid" is derived from the Filipino term for the civet cat.
The process of making alamid coffee involves feeding the civets with coffee cherries. The civets digest the cherries, but the beans within them are not fully broken down and are excreted in their feces. These excreted beans are collected and thoroughly cleaned to remove any impurities. They are then roasted, ground, and brewed like regular coffee.
Alamid coffee is highly sought after due to its unique and distinct flavor profile. The digestion process of the civet cat is believed to enhance the taste of the coffee beans, resulting in a smoother, less bitter cup of coffee. It is often described as having a rich, full-bodied flavor with hints of chocolate, caramel, and sometimes fruity undertones.
However, it is important to note that there are ethical concerns surrounding the production of alamid coffee. The traditional method of collecting the beans involved capturing civet cats in captivity and force-feeding them coffee cherries. This raised concerns about animal cruelty and prompted the development of more ethical practices such as using coffee cherries collected from civet droppings in the wild.
Despite these concerns, alamid coffee continues to be a popular and highly priced specialty coffee due to its unique production process and distinctive taste.
Etymology of ALAMID
The word "Alamid" comes from the Arabic word "عَلَمِد" (ʿalamid), which refers to a certain type of civet. Civets are small, carnivorous mammals found in Asia and Africa. The term "Alamid" specifically refers to the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), which is known for its ability to produce a highly sought-after coffee called civet coffee or kopi luwak. The word "Alamid" originated from Arabic and has been adopted into various languages in the Philippines, where the civet is found and the coffee is produced.
